Magic Wand Progressive Relaxation
08 Mar 2012 1 Comment
in Progressive Relaxation, Uncategorized
A few years ago, I wrote a poem for preschoolers entitled “Butterfly on My Nose.” It was designed to guide preschoolers through progressive relaxation activity while relaxing their face muscles (http://wp.me/p11MDD-1k).
My preschoolers have since grown up, but they are still having fun while using progressive relaxation to release tension from their muscles and let go of daily physical stress within the body. Guide your child through a progressive relaxation activity today. You hold the magic wand to help him relax. Explain to your child that when you lightly touch a body part, it is his job to tense, then relax that part. You can use two fingers together as your magic wand, or create one as a craft project. The power in the wand is to help relax the body. (This activity can be easily done with auditory instruction only, using the imagination to feel the magic wand tap the area to be relaxed. As with any relaxation activity, please ask your child’s permission first, especially if he has sensory issues and is tactile sensitive to light touches).
1. Have your child lie down in a comfortable place on the floor.
2. Gently touch your child’s toes like this:
- Touch One: ”Tense Your Toes, squeeze tight tight tight with all your might.”
- Touch Two: ”Toes Let Go, melt, melt melt your toe muscles into the floor. Relax and let go.”
Repeat for in the following body parts: Calves, Thighs, Legs, Tummy, Hands, Arms, Shoulders, Neck, Face, Whole Body
When you have completed the sequence, wave your wand over the entire body, explaining that, as it passes over you the first time you are to TENSE your whole body, squeezing every part very very tight. As the wand passes over the second time, you are to RELAX, let go of any tension and feel your whole body melting into the floor.
Remind your child that he has the power to relax his body whenever he chooses, no matter where he is and no matter what he is doing. That magic wand is in his mind as well and can help him to relax different body parts whenever he wants.
Progressive Relaxation Jingle
08 Jan 2011 Leave a Comment
in All Relaxation Activities, Progressive Relaxation, Uncategorized
Pull your hands into very tight fists.
Ahh, let them go with a swish, swish, swish.
Squeeze tight, tight, tight with all your might.
Now just relax and make them light.
Curl your toes into a ball.
Now let them go, release them all.
Squeeze tight, tight, tight with all your might.
Now just relax and make them light.
Progressive Relaxation Resources
29 Aug 2010 Leave a Comment
Websites:
http://www.yourfamilyclinic.com/adhd/relax.htm
http://www.hypnos.co.uk/hypnomag/jacobson.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progressive_muscle_relaxation
http://www.mgh.harvard.edu/bhi/ (background information)
http://www.yourfamilyclinic.com/pro/trelax.htm (specifically for the classroom)
Books:
Ready, Set, R.E.L.A.X.
A Research Based Program of Relaxation, Learning and Self Esteem for Children
by Jeffrey S. Allen, M.ED. and Roger J. Klein, Psy.D
The Ready, Set, Relax program is designed to help reduce children’s stress and anxiety by means of progressive muscle relaxation, active imagination (guided visualization) techniques, and positive self-talk. An adult reads the motivating visualization scripts aloud, (scripts include such topics as “Toy Store Trip” and “Time Travel”), while the children relax and listen, meanwhile learning self-calming techniques that they can use anytime.
This stress-intervention program can be used at home, in school, counseling groups, and hospital or clinical settings. Recommended for use with children aged six through twelve. Paperback. 190 pages.
Cool Cats, Calm Kids
Relaxation and Stress Management for Young People. Written by Mary L. Williams, Illustrated by Dianne O’Quinn Burke
This clever book tells us that cats have nine secrets for keeping cool and calm, and then reveals them to us one by one, showing us how to relax like cats. A fun introduction to stress management. Expressive black and white drawings. 27 pages. Paperback.
Progressive Relaxation: The Butterfly On My Nose
29 Aug 2010 Leave a Comment
in All Relaxation Activities, Progressive Relaxation
This poem was written as a progressive relaxation for relaxing the face. Preschoolers and toddlers can listen to an adult read it and perform the actions included as it is read. Tell children to pretend like there is a butterfly on their nose and to listen carefully.
The Butterfly on My Nose
There’s a butterfly on my nose, oh no!
It tickles and flutters, makes me wrinkle it so!
I wiggle and wiggle and wiggle my nose
And up, up and away it goes!
Whew, I relax my face
And watch the butterfly dance, swirl around the place
I breathe real deep and watch it go,
I breathe real deep and relax just so.
Uh oh, there’s a butterfly on my nose once again.
I squint with my eyes and scrunch my forehead
Ah, there it flies away again.
I relax my eyes and my forehead.
Whew, I relax my face
And watch the butterfly dance, swirl around the place
I breathe real deep and watch it go,
I breathe real deep and relax just so.
Oh no, there’s a butterfly on my nose!!!!!
How did it get there and rest so close?
I smile real big, make my cheeks spread out
Away it dances and floats about.
Whew, I relax my face
And watch the butterfly dance, swirl around the place
I breathe real deep and watch it go,
I breathe real deep and relax just so.
My face feels relaxed, the wrinkles are smoothed out.
As I watch the pretty butterfly, I calm me down.
I rest my eyes, my forehead and cheeks,
My mouth, my nose, and even my teeth!
My face is smooth, the wrinkles are gone.
I’m ready to listen and learn, my ears are turned on.
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