Calming Stones!

 Our Kinder group is a very passionate bunch! To help us work through intense emotions such as sadness, frustration, and anger, we made “Calming Stones” with polymer clay! ​

Before beginning the activity, we sat together and I passed around my own “Calming Stone” that I brought from home. I explained that when I feel scared or nervous, I feel the smooth stone in my hand while I breath IN..1..2..3.. and OUT..1..2..1... 
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Everyone then closed their eyes and envisioned themselves in a calm space, noticing the colours and shapes that they see. Once the Kinders had a sense of what made them feel calm, we brought out the clay and went straight to work!  

“I chose galaxy colours!”

"Cheetah makes you calm because of all the colours... White, blue and pink." 

Everyone had their own unique way to shape, form and design their calming stone! Some Kinders chose to roll or squish their clay in their hands, while others chose to use carving tools to add little details. I was so surprised to see how the shape of each worry stone varied from one another!  

"I'm doing all this [squishing the clay] because I don't want it to be hard to use”

“I call mine Bacon!” 

“This is my cinnamon bun”

“I made a donut ring!”
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“I made designs on it!” 

During this process, I also asked, 
“How will your stone help you when you’re feeling upset?” 
 
These were some responses: 

 "I'm going to use it when I feel scared to go to school”

 "Mine means 'are you feeling brave?' Are you feeling ok?’”
 
"It's a cake! It's going to make me think of what cake to have for my birthday!”
 
"I'm going to make a snake stone! It will remind me to dance!" 

 The Kinders became very attached to their “Calming Stones” and loved keeping them close throughout the day! We are planning to apply this mindful practice to our everyday life in the Kinder room!

- Vita