“OMazing Kids StoryStretchers: Creating a Yoga Storytime for Kids” at the Oklahoma Childcare Association Spring Conference

I had an OMazing time sharing info about combining yoga & storytime with a great group of 35 childcare providers at the annual Oklahoma Childcare Association Spring Conference today!

Here is a copy of my PowerPoint slides (30 page PDF). You will be able to click on the web links on each slide to go directly to each resource 🙂

OMazing Kids StoryStretchers – presentation for Oklahoma Childcare Conference April 2012 (PDF)

Please head over and “like” the OMazing Kids Facebook page for more great info and ideas – http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga

A huge “Thanks!” to the 11 companies that donated a total of over $800 worth of kids yoga products…… it was great to have enough stuff for every participant to get something to support them using yoga with the kids in their childcare settings!

And thanks to Budget Floor Store (http://www.floorstoresok.com/) in Oklahoma City for the carpet squares they donated last year! I have used them several times & they came in handy today for the participants to get some practice doing kids yoga poses.

Thanks to Greg Gaston, Director of Marketing at JDMC, who spent his Saturday at the JD McCarty Center booth at the conference. I was SO excited that our booth was in a prime location….. at the main entrance right across from the keynote speaker’s booth 🙂  Yippee for the opportunity to spread the word about the great services we offer at JDMC!

Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP, IAYT, RCYP-2

Speech-Language Pathologist at the JD McCarty Center for Children with Developmental Disabilities in Norman, Oklahoma (www.jdmc.org)

Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC – inclusive wellness activities for kids of all abilities

Radiant Child Yoga Certified – Levels 1 & 2

Work E-Mail: amoorad@jdmc.org  (* please always Cc my home e-mail to make sure I get the message)

Home E-Mail: amoorad1@juno.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/amoorad1

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKids/

Blog: http://omazingkidsllc.com

NOTE: Please ignore any ads that appear below the wavy divider bar. This is a free blog site & I have no control over ads appearing here.

3…2…1…. Blastoff! Ideas for an Outer Space Kids Yoga Class

Want some fun ideas for an Outer Space kids yoga class?

We recently had a great discussion on the OMazing Kids Yoga Facebook page and lots of cool ideas were shared. I’m saving them here on the blog so folks will be able to find the info more easily.

Updates: Here is my new playlist for Outer Space & Star Wars themed yoga

Update 2/17/13: New song added to my “space” playlist. “Rocket Ship” by Bari Koral: http://www.amazon.com/Rocket-Ship/dp/B007U2LKLO 

See an album of pics of ideas on FB: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga#!/media/set/?set=a.342172392500439.95278.174264525957894&type=3 (new pics added frequently)

Here are the ideas folks shared:

Laurea Palmantier Hello! Just wondering if anyone has some ideas on outer space themed yoga? Thank you!

Kara Best Oh my yoga kids love when we go to outer space! We use chair pose as our rocket and I let the kids take turns counting down fm 5 to blast off where we come out of chair with a lil jump. We ‘land’ on the moon (crescent moon pose), twinkling stars (supine or standing, touch opposite hand to foot), saturn (group pose holding hands, leaning back), mars (lots to do with aliens ie inversions or make up their own shape as examples), space rocks (childs pose) and more I end resting on clouds.

Alicia Fry LaGrassa Loving the ideas…Kara has good ones, and I like the Star Wars idea as well. I was just pondering this last week, and I jotted down to use “Rocketship Run” by Laurie Berkner. (And there’s a countdown to blastoff for Kara!)

Laura Fuller Something anti gravity. And moonwalking.

YogaBugs North & East London See the YogaBugs Fun Zone at www.yogabugs.com. We have a free Intergalactic Space Adventure to download plus a colouring-in sheet to go with it. (Note: See the info below for a direct link to that info on their website).

Garland Caz Rainbow kids yoga has also got ideas about space x (Note: See the info below for a direct link).
Nancy Williams I use helicopter to fly and everyone takes a turn discussing just where, in outer space, they will travel.  We have also done any moving pose in incredibly slow motion, i.e. yoga walk, warrior, cat, triangle, etc.  A guided imagery geared to this theme is also well received and eye bags become moon goggles.
Jeanette Runnings We do a rocket taking off by squating down and then jump pu to blast off.  Sun breaths, star pose, moon pose(side stretch) half moon (if older kids), moon rock pose(child’s pose) Falling star pose -shifting weight to each foot.
OMazing Kids Yoga ‎- Nancy Williams shared this guided imagery script today….. reposting here so everyone in this discussion thread will see it:
MISSION PEACE – Today is an important day and you feel excitement growing inside of you. Taking a deep breath through your nose you begin to feel calm and more focused. Today you will travel with your fellow astronauts into outer space.   You slip one leg and then the other into a silver jumpsuit that has been selected as your official uniform for your travel. You fall in line with your team and find yourself walking through the exit door and down a ramp towards the shuttle. You climb the steps that have been placed in front of the shuttle and wave at the people that have gathered to watch the blast off.   Inside the shuttle you see a circle of seats and you land in the nearest one. You slip one shoulder and then the other into the harness seat belt that will secure you in this powerful take off. You look in front of you and notice the floor is a window and you will be able to view the entire landscape around you during your travel.   The intercom announces your departure and the four… three… two…one…launch has become a reality. You feel the power of the release as you are sent into the atmosphere and find yourself looking at the earth as if it were a pea. You see the light change as you move into outer space and take a deep breath to calm your ever- growing excitement.   You now see particles of light, chards of meteor and a darker horizon. The atmosphere has shifted and you observe a hair comb float by you. Your team member laughs as he realizes he forgot to take his comb out of his pocket before entering the shuttle. You know your trip will be short as time is reduced when you travel this fast. You look forward to your mission.   Stars are around you now and there are wifts of hazy matter you are not familiar with. The area is dark and you realize you have traveled far beyond the earth’s orbit.   The intercom informs you that you will soon be landing on your destination and you take yet another breath to calm your building anticipation. You feel the landing and are instructed to release your harness, move into the outer chamber and suit up for your mission. It is only ten steps to the exit and you begin to move. As you place the outer-wear over your jumpsuit you find that you are weightless and must move slowly in order to keep your balance. You place the helmet with oxygen over your head and as the inner chamber door locks you step through the opening outer exit. Out into a world that is unfamiliar and resembles a mystical version of your planet earth. You have been chosen to place the flag into the crust of this new planet and you begin to do so with the support of your team. You stand back and admire the design that has been developed for this mission and notice the colorful symbol and letters warm your heart. Each letter has been carefully designed to put the intention of your mission into the energy of this place. You smile, and know that the PEACE you have chosen to represent this mission will generate the intention of the entire planet earth. Peace, shanti, the message we all wish to place into our future.   Feeling complete and content you move with the small team back through the shuttle door and decompress in the inner chamber. Removing your suits, you move back into the inner shuttle where you secure your seat belts and prepare for the return voyage.   Taking a deep breath you now relax and know you have made a contribution to the world and can feel proud of your mission. The Peace shuttle lifts and propels from the new found planet to carry you home.
Laurea Palmantier Pure Awesome! “Once Upon a  Pose” by Donna Freeman has a space adventure story in her book as well. Thank you everyone!

A fun outer space kids yoga lesson plan & free coloring page from YogaBugs Ltd: http://www.yogabugs.com/images/YogaBugs%20-%20An%20Intergalactic%20Adventure.pdf & http://www.yogabugs.com/images/YogaBugs-Colouring-In-Space-Mission.pdf

A fun outer space kids yoga lesson plan from Rainbow Kids Yoga: http://yoganomics.net/2010/06/holiday-vacation-in-outer-space/

Love this from Cyn Narcisi Illustration! http://cynnarcisi.blogspot.com/2010/01/yoga-is-good-for-artists-and-jedi.html And check out: http://cynnarcisi.blogspot.com/2010/07/yoga-with-yoda-how-to-do-virabhadrasana.html (PDF: http://www.cynnarcisi.com/YOGA_Yoda_W2.pdf)

All the Star Wars Yoga pics are from: http://robosborne.net/shop. Also check out a video of the pics: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJgDgm6orU4

Hilarious Star Wars inspired yoga YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZLXQyF58i8

“Yoga Warriors” yoga pose card deck from Radiant Child Yoga!  I have them and boys, especially those with a facination for Star Wars, Power Rangers and/or Transformers, etc… love them 🙂 http://store.childrensyoga.com/Yoga-Warriors-Cards-p/yoga%20warriors%20cards.htm

“Roaring Rockets” by Tony Mitton will be fun to use with an Outer Space kids yoga theme 🙂 Here’s a peek inside the book: http://www.amazon.com/Roaring-Rockets-Amazing-Machines-Mitton/dp/0753453053#reader_0753453053

Coloring Page: http://icoloringpages.com/wp-content/uploads/wallpapers/Space-Ship-Coloring-Page.gif  (links to several more fun coloring pages: http://www.squidoo.com/space-coloring-pages2)

(Update 7/3/13: Check out the Cosmic Kids website for a fun new lesson plan inspired by the book “Aliens Love Underpants”: http://www.cosmickids.co.uk/aliens-love-underpants-a-kids-yoga-class-plan/)

Have more ideas that you would like to share for “Outer Space” kids yoga? Feel free to comment below 🙂

Looking for “Robot-Themed” kids yoga ideas? Check out this post: https://omazingkidsllc.com/2013/02/02/robot-themed-kids-yoga-lesson-plan-ideas/

Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP, IAYT, RCYP-2

Speech-Language Pathologist

Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC – wellness & inclusive activities for kids of all abilities

Radiant Child Yoga Certified – Levels 1 & 2

E-Mail: amoorad1@juno.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/amoorad1

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKids/

Blog: http://omazingkidsllc.com

NOTE: Please ignore any ads that appear below the wavy divider bar. This is a free blog site & I have no control over ads appearing here.

Earth Day Every Day – ideas for teaching kids about eco-friendly living

Earth Day is April 22. But to make a true impact make every day Earth Day.

Commit to protect the environment. Take action. Learn – teach – share. Want info about “Earth Day”? Check out the EPA website: http://www.epa.gov/earthday/ & http://www.epa.gov/students/teachers.html. And a great blog post: http://www.ecobabysteps.com/2011/07/19/how-to-teach-your-children-about-eco-friendly-living/. I love the tips they give, especially about being “easy going”, giving kids a little information at a time, don’t scare them, and let them arrive on their own at the place where it clicks.

Here are a few suggestions for things to use in teaching kids about eco-friendly living. ….

Books (Earth Day, Conservation, Recycling, Environment, etc…):

10 Things I Can Do to Help My World by Melanie Walsh (free activity guide: http://www.walker.co.uk/UserFiles/file/Ten%20Things/10Things%20Activities-02.pdf)

All Around Me I See by Laya Steinberg (activities: http://dawnpub.com/activities/Camo_Activity.pdf, free teachers guide from the author: http://www.layasteinberg.com/AAteacherguide.pdf)

All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon (post from Alluem Kids Yoga: http://alluemkids.blogspot.com/2011/03/all-world.html – includes a great visualization idea & a free teachers guide from the author: http://www.lizgartonscanlon.com/PDFS/All%20The%20World%20TG.pdf )

Care for Our World book & playset from Compendium / Live Inspired

Earth Day: An Alphabet Book by Gary Kowalski

Earth Day Birthday by Pattie Schnetzler

Green by Laura Vaccaro Seeger (video trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVQeY8bodYs)

How Can I Help? (series of 3 books: Protect the Land, Protect the Ocean, Save the Wildlife) by Earthwise Kids

Michael Recycle by Ellie Bethel

My Mama Earth by Susan B. Katz (See a video preview on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-joIbJSDN4o)

One Child, One Planet: Inspiration for the Young Conservationist by Bridget McGovern Llewellyn (website: http://onechildoneplanet.com/)

Our Big Home: An Earth Poem by Linda Glaser (free activity guide: http://www.lindaglaserauthor.com/Our_Big_Home.pdf)

The EARTH Book by Todd Parr (free coloring pages: http://www.toddparr.com/imgs/fun/earthbook_coloring.pdf, the author reading the book: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXnWUS_K0XQ)

The Happiness Tree by Andrea Alban Gosline (free teachers guide: http://www.ambledance.com/media/pdf/HT_Teachers_Guide.pdf)

The Lorax by Dr. Seuss  (see website below)

This Tree Counts by Alison Formento (free teachers guide: http://www.alisonashleyformento.com/Alison_Ashley_Formento/MY_BOOKS_files/Teacher%27s_Guide_THIS_TREE_COUNTS.pdf)

Where One There Was a Wood by Denise Fleming (free activities: http://www.denisefleming.com/pages/activities-wood.html)

 Coloring Pages (to be eco-friendly, use both sides of the paper):

“Save Our Species” free coloring book from US EPA – http://www.epa.gov/espp/coloring/cbook.pdf

Free kids Earth Day Booklet from US EPA – http://www.energystar.gov/ia/business/k12_schools/KidsBrochure.pdf

Environmental Websites for Kids:

Conserving Now: http://www.conservingnow.com/parent-resources#pre

Dr. Seuess’ The Lorax Project – http://www.seussville.com/loraxproject/ & http://www.seussville.com/Educators/lorax_classroom/educatorlorax_discuss.php

Kids for Saving Earth – http://www.kidsforsavingearth.org/

Leave No Trace – http://www.lnt.org/programs/peak.php 

PBS EekoWorldhttp://pbskids.org/eekoworld/ 

Planet Pals – http://www.planetpals.com/

small potatoes mother earth post

Check out this fabulous post on the Small Potatoes blog! http://mysmallpotatoes.com/2012/04/20/namaste-mother-earth/

KYS Earth Day free lesson plan

Free Earth Day lesson plan from Kids Yoga Stories: http://www.kidsyogastories.com/free-resources/

earth day memory game

Printable Earth Day Memory Game from LearnCreateLove.com: http://learncreatelove.com/?p=7018

natural kidz

Check out the Natural Kidz website for lots of eco-friendly products: http://naturalkidz.com/

Share your ideas for helping kids learn about being eco-friendly & going green by leaving a comment below or joining the discussion on the OMazing Kids Yoga Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga 🙂

Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP, IAYT, RCYP-2

Speech-Language Pathologist

Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC – wellness & inclusive activities for kids of all abilities

Radiant Child Yoga Certified – Levels 1 & 2

E-Mail: amoorad1@juno.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/amoorad1

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKids/

Blog: http://omazingkidsllc.com


NOTE: Please ignore any ads that appear below the wavy divider bar. This is a free blog site & I have no control over ads appearing here.


Books for Kids Yoga – a Resource List from OMazing Kids Yoga

Thanks to everyone who shared ideas as part of the discussion we had about kids books on the OMazing Kids Yoga Facebook Page (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=344588795592132&set=a.191017694282577.62242.174264525957894&type=1&theater)! I bought several new books based on your recommendations.

I went through my entire personal library of kids picture books to see which ones would lend themselves well to use in a kids yoga class and compiled a resource list with the book title, author & themes in an Excel document (so it can be sorted by title or author and can be searched by keywords). There are 188 books on the list so far and I plan on updating the list periodically as I buy new books 🙂

Excel document (you can sort, search & print – must have MS Excel to open): Books for Kids Yoga Resource List (from OMazing Kids Yoga)

PDF version (you won’t be able to sort but will be able to search and print – included this for folks who don’t have Excel): Books for Kids Yoga Resource List (from OMazing Kids Yoga). Need help with “searching” for specific words in a PDF? Check this out: http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/search.html .

Want even more ideas for books to use in a kids yoga class? Check out the “Books, Books, Books” album on the OMazing Kids Yoga Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.338142666236745.94253.174264525957894&type=3. I post new books, links to free printables & story props in this album frequently 🙂  I also set up an OMazing Kids Yoga Pinterest page so I may start using that to share info too: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKidsYoga/.

Also check out the cool bibliography from Yoga in my School:  http://yogainmyschool.com/pdf/yoga4literacy_bibliography.pdf (15 page PDF) and their new Pinterest board: http://pinterest.com/yogainmyschool/books-for-kids-yoga/.

Can you tell that I LOVE great kids books?!  Feel free to share any of your favorite books & details about how you use them either in the comments section below or on my Facebook page….. I love exchanging ideas 🙂

Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP, IAYT, RCYP-2

Speech-Language Pathologist

Founder of OMazing Kids Yoga, LLC – inclusive yoga for kids & teens of all abilities in Norman, Oklahoma

Radiant Child Yoga Certified – Levels 1 & 2

E-Mail: amoorad1@juno.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/amoorad1

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKidsYoga/

Blog: http://omazingkidsyoga.com

NOTE: Please ignore any ads that appear below the wavy divider bar. This is a free blog site & I have no control over ads appearing here.