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This exercise helps children develop a deeper awareness of their bodily sensations and learn to distinguish between their actual sensory experiences and the mental images or concepts they hold about themselves. By focusing on the internal experience of their face, children can cultivate a more direct and immediate sense of embodiment, grounded in the present moment.
As children explore the limited external view of their own face, they may begin to question the accuracy and completeness of their self-image. This realization can help them develop a more flexible and adaptable sense of self, less dependent on external appearances or fixed mental representations.
Moreover, by learning to pay attention to subtle internal sensations, children can develop greater emotional intelligence and self-regulation skills. As they become more attuned to the physical manifestations of their emotions, they can learn to respond to their feelings with greater awareness, compassion, and skill.
Hey there, young face adventurer!
Today, we're going on a fascinating journey called "The Inner Face Explorer."
We'll be using our imagination to experience our faces in a whole new way.
Instead of thinking about how our faces look from the outside, like when we see ourselves in the mirror, we'll be exploring how our faces feel from the inside.
It might sound a bit silly or strange at first, but it's a fun way to learn more about our own bodies and senses.
Are you ready to embark on this exciting face exploration?
1. Ask the child to close their eyes and think about their face. Inquire about the first image that comes to their mind – is it how their face looks in the mirror?
2. If the child’s first thought is of their external face, encourage them to instead try to imagine what it feels like to experience their face from the inside.
3. With their eyes still closed, guide the child to focus on the sensations within their face. Ask them to pay attention to any tingling, warmth, coolness, or other feelings they might notice.
4. Now, have the child open their eyes and look around. Ask them to notice which parts of their external face they can actually see without using a mirror. Most people can only see the tip of their nose or their upper lip if they scrunch it up.
5. Encourage the child to imagine that any parts of their face they can’t directly see aren’t really there. This helps them focus on the immediate, internal experience of their face rather than their mental image of it.
6. Allow the child to alternate between having their eyes closed and open, exploring the internal sensations and the limited external view of their face.
To further explore the concept of body awareness and the distinction between internal sensations and external appearances, consider introducing your child to the book “Listening to My Body” by Gabi Garcia.
This engaging picture book takes children on a journey of self-discovery, teaching them how to tune into the messages and signals their bodies send them. Through simple, relatable language and colorful illustrations, the book shows children how to identify and name various body sensations, such as tension, hunger, or fatigue, and how to respond to these sensations with mindfulness and self-care.
1. What does the book primarily teach children about?
a) How to exercise
b) How to listen to music
c) How to recognize and respond to their body’s signals
d) How to talk to others
2. What does the book call the physical feelings we experience?
a) Emotions
b) Thoughts
c) Sensations
d) Actions
3. According to the book, what might a growling tummy be telling you?
a) You’re tired
b) You’re hungry
c) You’re angry
d) You’re cold
4. What does the book suggest you do when you feel a strong emotion?
a) Ignore it
b) Yell at someone
c) Take a moment to notice how your body feels
d) Go to sleep
5. What does the book say about different people’s responses to the same situation?
a) Everyone reacts exactly the same way
b) Different people might have different feelings and sensations
c) Only kids have feelings
d) Feelings aren’t important
6. What does the book teach about breathing when feeling strong emotions?
a) Hold your breath
b) Breathe fast and shallow
c) Take deep, calming breaths
d) Breathing doesn’t matter
7. What does the book suggest about sharing your feelings?
a) Never tell anyone how you feel
b) It’s okay to talk about your feelings with others
c) Only share happy feelings
d) Feelings should be kept secret
8. According to the book, what can help you feel better when you’re upset?
a) Watching TV all day
b) Eating lots of candy
c) Ignoring how you feel
d) Using coping strategies like deep breathing or talking to someone
9. What does the book teach about the connection between our minds and bodies?
a) There is no connection
b) Only the mind matters
c) Only the body matters
d) Our thoughts and feelings can affect our bodies
10. What is the main goal of “listening to your body”?
a) To become a doctor
b) To ignore your feelings
c) To understand yourself better and make good choices
d) To always be happy
1. c) How to recognize and respond to their body’s signals
2. c) Sensations
3. b) You’re hungry
4. c) Take a moment to notice how your body feels
5. b) Different people might have different feelings and sensations
6. c) Take deep, calming breaths
7. b) It’s okay to talk about your feelings with others
8. d) Using coping strategies like deep breathing or talking to someone
9. d) Our thoughts and feelings can affect our bodies
10. c) To understand yourself better and make good choices
Verse 1:
Close your eyes, what do you see?
Not a mirror, just you and me
Feel the tingles, warmth, and cool
Inside your face, it’s pretty cool
Pre-Chorus:
More than what the mirror shows
There’s a world that no one knows
Chorus:
Face from the inside, what a surprise
More than meets the eyes
Sensations dancing, feelings true
A hidden world, just for you
Verse 2:
Open up and take a peek
Can you see your nose or cheek?
Imagine parts you can’t quite see
Aren’t there, it’s just you and me
(Pre-Chorus)
(Chorus)
Bridge:
In and out, we’ll explore
This face of yours has so much more
Than what we think we know so well
There are secrets it can tell
(Chorus)
Outro:
Your face is more than just a look
It’s a story, it’s a book
Written in sensations fine
A masterpiece, all yours to find
Remember, at QMAK, we don’t just teach; we empower. We don’t just inform; we inspire. We don’t just question; we act. Become a Gold Member, and let’s unlock your child’s full potential, one question at a time.