“The set up of this curriculum makes it easy to introduce young children to concepts and practices that many of us are anxious to more fully include in our classrooms.”
Tim Seldin, President - Montessori Foundation

Lessons based on research-based, stress-management/relaxation techniques designed to decrease stress and anxiety while increasing self-esteem and self-awareness. Children learn the empowering techniques of progressive muscular relaxation, breathing, visualizations, and affirmations in a safe, fun and interactive environment.

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About the Curriculum:

This turnkey curriculum creatively integrates lessons, stories, songs, movement and artwork to make it easy for any teacher or parent to implement. No prior teaching experience is needed! This curriculum is written with elementary age children in mind but can be adjusted to accommodate any age group. Each lesson or session is designed to introduce research-based, stress-management techniques to encourage children to live a healthful life. Children learn to apply these empowering techniques in a safe, fun and interactive environment. Each class is designed to be used in conjunction with the Indigo Dreams CD/audio book, A Boy and a Bear, The Affirmation Web, A Boy and a Turtle, and The Goodnight Caterpillar.

This program can be used alone or as the core curriculum in which you add and build your own philosophies around. The lessons or sessions are designed to be "unlimited". There are 4 distinct lessons that begin the moment the children walk in the door to the moment they leave. Lessons can be used in its entirety or broken down into mini-lessons or centers. Variations and suggestions for each lesson are included.

Curriculum FAQs

Class Format:

Each class is structured in the following format:

1. Movement: Each class will open with a movement activity. Movement activity and song are provided. The opening activity gets the children interested and lets them see that there is a plan and they will have fun. Teachers will be active participants and pave the way for children to feel relaxed and comfortable in doing the activities. Movement, singing and laughing help children release energy before they shift into sitting and listening to a story.
2. Explanation: Children will be given an age appropriate explanation of the research-based technique they will be experiencing in the story. Basic explanations are provided in each lesson plan.
3. Story time/Lesson: Indigo Dreams CD and the accompanying books make lesson time easy. The lessons and actual techniques are woven into each story. The children follow along as they learn life long stress management skills and become active participants in creating their own healthy, peaceful lives.
4. Discussion: Children will compare the way they felt before and after listening to the stories. Children will discuss how they should apply the techniques they have just learned to their own lives and real life situations. Conversation examples are provided.
5. Art activity: Each lesson includes an art handout to support and reinforce the lesson. Handout is provided and additional ideas are given.
6. Rainbow Bear: (Rainbow Bear is part of the Deluxe Curriculum Package.) This cuddly bear is used to encourage children to use their stress management relaxations skills outside of the classroom. Rainbow Bear activities are incorporated into each lesson.
7. Exit: Affirmations will be introduced during the second class and will be used thereafter as an exit tool for the rest of the semester. Each child picks an affirmation from the class affirmation bowl as they leave the classroom. Additional ideas are given on how to leave the classroom.
8. Certificate of Completion: Hand out to students for completing the Stress Management Curriculum. It can be found at the back of the curriculum.

Lessons:

1. Lesson one is based around and used with the story entitled A Boy and a Bear. This story demonstrates the stress management technique known as diaphragmatic breathing. The lesson discusses the proper mechanics of breathing and how it can be used to calm down when you are angry, stressed or afraid. Children have fun stomping their fears away!
2. Lesson two is based around and used with the story entitled The Affirmation Web. This story demonstrates the power of positive statements. The lesson discusses how positive statements can be used to achieve a goal and feel good. Children have fun popping their troubles away!
3. Lesson three is based around and used with the story entitled A Boy and a Turtle. This story demonstrates how to use your imagination to visualize or make pictures in you mind. The lesson discusses how stress and worry feel and how to counteract it. Children have fun shaking their worries away!
4. Lesson four is based around and used with the story entitled The Goodnight Caterpillar. This story demonstrates how to use progressive muscular relaxation. The lesson discusses how stress can make it difficult to think clearly and fall asleep at night. Children have fun swinging their stress away!

Curriculum FAQs

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