Back to Mind Explorers (Ages 7-12)
This lesson helps children develop present-moment awareness and a sense of wonder and curiosity about the world around them. By letting go of preconceived notions and habitual thought patterns, children learn to engage with their direct experience in a fresh and open way. This activity promotes mindfulness, sensory awareness, and a greater appreciation for the richness and immediacy of life. It also helps children understand that while memory and imagination are valuable tools, they are not the same as direct experience, and it’s important to balance these different ways of engaging with the world.
Hey there, young explorer! Today, we're going to play a special game called "The Present Moment Explorer." Imagine that you were just born a little while ago, and you don't know any of the words, ideas, or thoughts you've learned so far in your life. You're going to explore the world around you with fresh eyes, as if everything is brand new. Are you ready to embark on this exciting adventure?
1. Have the child sit comfortably and close their eyes.
2. Ask the child to imagine that they were just born a short while ago and that they haven’t learned any words, concepts, or ideas about themselves or the world yet.
3. Encourage the child to focus on their direct experience in the present moment, without relying on memory or imagination.
4. Ask the child, “If you don’t go to your memory, what do you know right now?” Encourage them to focus on their immediate sensations, such as the feeling of their breath, the sounds around them, or the temperature of the air on their skin.
5. Next, ask the child, “If you don’t go to your imagination, what do you know right now?” Again, encourage them to stay with their direct experience, without projecting into the future or creating stories in their mind.
6. Remind the child that this game is about being in the present moment, without focusing on the past (memory) or the future (imagination).
7. After a few minutes, ask the child to gently open their eyes and share their experience.
To further explore the concept of present-moment awareness and beginner’s mind, consider introducing your child to the book “Meditation Is an Open Sky: Mindfulness for Kids” by Whitney Stewart. This beautifully illustrated book offers simple mindfulness practices that children can use to cultivate greater awareness, calm, and connection with the world around them. The exercises encourage children to engage with their senses, breath, and immediate experience, fostering a sense of openness, curiosity, and appreciation for the present moment. By learning to approach life with a beginner’s mind, children can develop greater resilience, adaptability, and joy in their daily lives.
Verse 1:
Imagine you were born today
No words, no thoughts to guide your way
What do you see, what do you feel?
This moment’s all that’s real
Pre-Chorus:
No memories to cloud your view
No future dreams to pull you through
Just here and now, so crisp and clear
A world that’s always near
Chorus:
With brand new eyes, we explore
Each breath, each sound, and so much more
The present moment, fresh and bright
A child’s pure delight
Verse 2:
Listen close, what do you hear?
Feel the air, both far and near
Touch and taste, smell and see
This world of mystery
(Pre-Chorus)
(Chorus)
Bridge:
No past to hold us, no future to chase
Just this moment, this time, this place
Everything’s a wonder, everything’s new
When seen with eyes so true
(Chorus)
Outro:
Open your eyes, but keep that view
Of a world that’s always fresh and new
The present moment, a gift so rare
When we take the time to care
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