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OMazing Kids LLC is an organization that promotes inclusive wellness activities for kids of all abilities. The blog and social media pages share information about books, DVD’s, CD’s, games and other products specifically designed for kids wellness, mindfulness and relaxation, product reviews & giveaways, lesson plan & activity ideas, research, kids wellness in the news and a connection corner with listings of individuals doing adapted yoga and those offering trainings.

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12 Days of Christmas Kids Yoga

Posted on December 1, 2012 by OMazing Kids

The 12 Days of Christmas blog post

I have always loved the song “The 12 Days of Christmas”, especially the version by John Denver & The Muppets (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MX43ynMvm0) ….. the part where Beaker sings “me-me-me-me-me” makes me smile 🙂

So I thought it would be fun to find yoga poses to go with it. In my search for ideas I came across this fun video by Malissa Schwamm, E-RYT; RCYT at Northwest Yoga Studio & Peace.Love.Yoga. in Las Vegas, NV. I saw a few other video ideas online but this was one was my fave!

12 Days of Fitness:

from this free PDF: http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/cpns/Documents/NetworkPP%20Power%20Up%20for%20Learning_ENERGIZERS.pdf

Great info about the history of the song & fun ideas from Barbara Gini’s BodyLogique blog: http://bodylogique.blogspot.com/2011/12/partridges-pear-trees.html#!/2011/12/partridges-pear-trees.html

Fun free printables: http://www.1plus1plus1equals1.com/ChristmasFun.html & amazing free printable coloring pages: http://www.bellafaithdesign.com/2011/12/the-12-days-of-christmas-coloring-pages/

More fun Christmas yoga pose ideas in this cute video from Jodi Lebrun at Balance. Rhythm. Joy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpRb7YI7UQo

And even more fun pose ideas in this post on Lilsugar:

http://www.lilsugar.com/Holiday-Yoga-Poses-Kids-12643523

Want even more ideas for Christmas & Winter-themed kids activities? Check out these two posts:

https://omazingkidsllc.com/2012/11/28/the-yoga-of-dr-seuss-inspired-by-how-the-grinch-stole-christmas-free-printable/

https://omazingkidsllc.com/2011/12/03/christmas-winter-themed-kids-yoga-ideas/

See snowy faves, kids yoga ideas & a snowy playlist at: https://omazingkidsllc.com/2012/12/10/more-snowy-faves-a-perfect-day-by-carin-berger-kids-yoga-ideas-and-a-snowy-playlist/

and

https://omazingkidsllc.com/2012/12/08/five-snowy-faves-kids-picture-book-gems/

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

Speech-Language Pathologist

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

Radiant Child Yoga Certified – Levels 1 & 2

E-Mail: amoorad1@juno.com

Contests & Giveaways on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsContestsandGiveaways

from Edutopia: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/elementary-social-emotional-curriculum-2-appreciation-randy-taran

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Thanksgiving: Thankfulness, Giving and Gratitude Lesson Plan Ideas

Posted on November 16, 2012 by OMazing Kids

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to help kids learn the values of being thankful, giving & showing gratitude. Here are a few free lesson plan ideas [my Thanksgiving gift to all of you who work with kids :)]

Picture books that I love with lots of opportunities for yoga:

10 Fat Turkeys by Tony Johnston [turkey (lotus mudra – fingers are the turkey feathers), fence (mountain), vine (Brain Gym lazy 8’s), roller skate (balance on 1 leg), bird, mindfulness balancing a block on hand as balancing on 1 foot, swan, boar (rock & roll on back like pig in the mud), buzzing bee breath, whistling breath, bubble gum (balloon breath), tree]. Great book for younger kids that love the counting and the silly things the turkeys do.

Give Thanks for Each Day by Steve Metzger [deer, flower, sun stretch & breath, bear, mushroom (childs pose), tree, blowing dandelions (cotton balls), choo-choo breath, bear hug, fox (gyan mudra around nose), marching (cross crawl hike), belly breathing w/ rubber duck on belly, blowing bubbles, chipmunk, candle, palming by warm fire, snowflake (standing star with wiggling fingers), up dog, downward facing dog, ice cream scoops partner pose, cat, duck, turn legs like pages in book, raccoon (gyan mudra mask), crescent moon, star]. Great theme of being thankful for things every day.

I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie by Alison Jackson [making a pie sequence (roll out pie dough (lie on tummy & roll out with pool noodle), pumpkin (child pose with hands at head for stem), easy pose legs as bowl, shake in flour, sugar & cinnamon, mix (stir the pot & do “washing machine” for mixer), forward seated with legs being oven rack & stretch arms to close the oven door, tick-tock-toes timer, “mmm” breath as we smell it cooking, pie pose (seated angle) & blow on it before taking a bite), cider (apple picking stretch, woodchopper to slice the apples, washing machine blender to make it into cider, triangle pose to pour the cider), roll (rock & roll on back), squash (childs pose with hands extended as stem in front), salad (easy pose legs as bowl), turkey (lotus mudra – fingers are the turkey feathers), pot (stir the pot), cake (mountain – like the tall ten-layer cake), bread (woodchopper to slice the bread)]. This is a great cumulative book that builds upon itself so there are lots of opportunities to repeat poses. I changed the repeated line “perhaps she’ll die” to “perhaps she’ll sigh” for an opportunity for a sighing breathing activity.

There was an old lady who swallowed a pie story props – 3-page PDF. Cut out the opening in the old lady’s mouth & cut out all the other items. Laminate. Then use these as story props. Want to know more about “story props”? Check out this blog post: http://learningandteachingwithpreschoolers.blogspot.com/2010/01/props-for-setting-stage.html.

I know An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie coloring sheet – part of the Thanksgiving printables from 3 Dinosaurs (see more below)

3 Dinosaurs has a great new free Thanksgiving printable pack inspired by this book! http://3dinosaurs.com/printables/packs/thanksgiving.php

Each file is a large PDF document so be patient as they load & look before you print 🙂

In November by Cynthia Rylant [mouse, snow (standing star with wiggling fingers), tree, bird, berry picking, cow, horse, cat, buzzing bee breath, up dog, downward facing dog, palming by warm fire, making a pie sequence (roll out pie dough (lie on tummy & roll out with pool noodle), pumpkin (child pose with hands at head for stem), easy pose legs as bowl, shake in flour, sugar & cinnamon, mix (stir the pot & do “washing machine” for mixer), forward seated with legs being oven rack & stretch arms to close the oven door, tick-tock-toes timer, “mmm” breath as we smell it cooking, pie pose (seated angle) & blow on it before taking a bite), group table pose, crescent moon, star]. Great book for kids that are even a little older. It is a picture book but has higher level vocabulary.

Run, Turkey, Run! By Diane Mayr [turkey (lotus mudra – fingers are the turkey feathers), making a pie sequence (roll out pie dough (lie on tummy & roll out with pool noodle), pumpkin (child pose with hands at head for stem), easy pose legs as bowl, shake in flour, sugar & cinnamon, mix (stir the pot & do “washing machine” for mixer), forward seated with legs being oven rack & stretch arms to close the oven door, tick-tock-toes timer, “mmm” breath as we smell it cooking, pie pose (seated angle) & blow on it before taking a bite), farmer (big stomping steps around the mats), pig (rock & roll on back like pig in the mud), duck, boat, scuba breath (ocean breath), barn (rooftop partners), horse, standing forward bend (pretend to hide head in feed bucket), forest (group tree pose), group table pose]. Kids LOVE the repeated line & humor in this book.

Thanks for Thanksgiving by Julie Markes [turkey (lotus mudra – fingers are the turkey feathers), making a pie sequence (roll out pie dough (lie on tummy & roll out with pool noodle), pumpkin (child pose with hands at head for stem), easy pose legs as bowl, shake in flour, sugar & cinnamon, mix (stir the pot & do “washing machine” for mixer), forward seated with legs being oven rack & stretch arms to close the oven door, tick-tock-toes timer, “mmm” breath as we smell it cooking, pie pose (seated angle) & blow on it before taking a bite), chair, tree, leaves (forward bend with wiggling fingers as falling leaves), pumpkin (child pose with hands at head for stem), boat, windmill, blowing breath, dancer, book (turn legs like pages in book & gyan mudra reading glasses), swing (forward fold with arms on top of each other as the seat of a swing), group slide (seated angle in a line, lean to each side), bird, apple picking stretch, basket (easy pose with legs as the basket), up dog, downward facing dog, cat, dress-up shoes (big steps around the mats like walking in big shoes), chair, frog, candle, palming for warming hands by the fire, mouse (childs pose), snow (standing star with wiggling fingers), snowman (freeze in mountain, then melt), sled (seated forward fold), “I am loved”, crescent moon, star, group table pose (to make the long Thanksgiving table)]. This book has great rhyming text and a great “thankfulness” message.

The Thankful Book by Todd Parr [standing star, elephant, “I am loved”, butterfly, flower, sun stretch & breath, tree, giraffe, monkey, belly breathing w/ rubber duck on belly, blowing bubbles, up dog, down dog, cat, fish, mountain, choo-choo breath, penguin, pass ball w/ feet, yoga freeze dance, feather blowing, gyan mudra reading glasses, turn legs like pages in book, bunny breath, “I am strong”, pick up leaves, freeze & melt, bear walk, bear hug, group table]

Free coloring sheets: http://www.toddparr.com/imgs/fun/thankful-book-coloring.pdf (4 page PDF)

Turkey Day by Grace Maccarone [bed, tick-tock toes clock, stretch & yawn, house rooftop partners, bike pedaling, car (w/ pool noodle steering wheel), bus (sitting on heels bouncing as bus drives), choo-choo breath, bridge, boat, airplane, marching (cross crawl hike), dancer, skateboard (Warrior II), group table]. This book has great rhyming text.

Other books for a “thankfulness” & “gratitude” theme:

Giving Thanks by Jonathan London (a great story about a gratitude walk. I love the concept and illustrations but did not like the wording that was giving thanks “to” things vs. thanks “for” them so I changed that wording.)

I’m Thankful by Terri-Sue Hill

Thanksgiving is For Giving Thanks by Margaret Sutherland

Activities:

Print off these leaves. The kids write, draw or paste picture symbols on the leaves to show what they are thankful for & then hang the leaves off your arms (aka. branches) in “Thankful Tree” pose. http://www.guildcraftinc.com/guildcraft/GuildcraftThanksleaves.pdf

Waves of Gratitude:

Love this idea from Homestead Survival: Start the year with an empty jar and fill it with notes about good things that happen. on New Years Eve, empty it and see what awesome stuff happened that year.

“The definition of appreciation is “gratitude; thankful recognition.” Developing gratitude helps students to focus on what is working in their lives, and also to train their minds to notice the good things that are all around. Learning to appreciate even the little things in life, such as a sunny day, a smile or a good meal, improves one’s outlook substantially, and helps to develop a more optimistic and resilient attitude. What we focus on is what grows — and gratitude promotes positivity.”

Cool resource on teaching gratefulness – http://www.handsonscotland.co.uk/flourishing_and_wellbeing_in_children_and_young_people/positive_attitudes/gratitude/gratitude.html.

3 simple ideas for teaching gratitude – PDF at: http://www.raisinghappiness.com/storage/gratitude.pdf

Great “gratitude” post from Yogi Beans: http://blog.yogibeans.com/2011/10/26/gratitude-adjustment/

How to start a Gratitude Calendar: http://www.ehow.com/print/how_2147560_start-gratitude-calendar.html

Ideas for teaching gratitude from Gratefulness.org (A Network for Grateful Living): http://www.gratefulness.org/readings/practice_gratitude.htm

How to instill gratitude habits in your kids? Great The Wall Street Journal articles – “Kids who feel and act grateful tend to be less materialistic, get better grades, set higher goals, complain of fewer headaches and stomach aches and feel more satisfied with their friends, families and schools than those who don’t, studies show.” http://blogs.wsj.com/juggle/2010/11/22/gratitude-the-wonder-drug/ & http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704243904575630541486290052.html?mod=WSJ_hp_MIDDLENexttoWhatsNewsFifth (via the ChildLight Yoga Facebook page)

Thanksgiving Kids Yoga post on Mind Body Green by Sarah Herrington of Om Schooled: http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-3533/Kids-Yoga-Thanksgiving-Style.html

Gratitude Challenge & So Thankful posts on the Alluem Kids Yoga blog: http://alluemkids.blogspot.com/2011/11/15-day-gratitude-challenge.html & http://alluemkids.blogspot.com/2009/11/so-thankful.html.

5 Fun Ways to Teach Gratitude to Children post by Teresa Power of The ABC’s of Yoga for Kids: http://www.examiner.com/article/5-fun-ways-to-teach-gratitude-to-children

A Gratitude Reflection Activity for Children from Yoga 4 Classrooms: http://track.namastelight.com/v/443/872c14bb8e89ebc3884663a06f5edcf53d36765b5b371167

This card is one of 67 activities in the Yoga 4 Classrooms Card Deck.

Playlist: Please be mindful of kids individual sensory needs when using music in a group setting (http://omazingkidsyoga.com/music/) 🙂

Making Pie by Kira Willey

What Are You Thankful For? by Elana Jagoda

I Am Blessed by Bunny Hull & Friends

Thanks Be by Betsy Rose

Grateful by Aaron Nigel Smith and the One World Chorus, featuring Dan Zanes

Orange You Grateful? by Kidding Around Yoga (activity to go with the song: http://kiddingaroundyoga.com/pass-the-orange)

Thanksgiving by Si Kahn

Thanksgiving Song by Mary Chapin Carpenter

Thanksgiving Day by John McCutcheon

Over the River and Through the Woods by Dog On Fleas

(I’m Gonna Eat) On Thanksgiving Day by Laurie Berkner

Thanksgiving Waltz by Jay Ungar & Molly Mason

Grateful by Charity and the JAMband (*** FREE download until 11/25/12: http://charityandthejamband.bandcamp.com/track/grateful)

The Gratitude Song by Michael Farr

Singer/songwriter Michael Farr performs an inspiring song joined with beautiful images to get you feeling thankful! From this great Youtube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bf1akDYakw.

Free mp3: http://www.willowandtheverse.com/parknride/gratitude.mp3; Lyrics: http://www.willowandtheverse.com/lyrics/gratitudesong.html. Hear more great songs from Michael Farr & make gratitude donations on his website: http://www.willowandtheverse.com.

I Give Thanks by Kristen Cook – free mp3 download: http://kristencook.bandcamp.com/track/i-give-thanks

I give Thanks - free download

Looking for more song ideas? Check out this great Thanksgiving playlist post on yogainmyschool.com: http://yogainmyschool.com/2011/11/04/thanksgiving-playlist-for-kids-teens-yoga-class/.

Coloring Sheets:

I’m Thankful For…..

I’m Thankful Turkey Handprint Coloring Sheet – Trace the child’s handprints on this page to make the turkey’s feathers. Then write one thing you are thankful for on each “feather”.

Crafts:

Wonderful “Thanks & Giving Trees” printable from the Chocolate on my Cranium blog:
http://chocolateonmycranium.blogspot.com/2008/10/thanks-and-giving.html#.T8S4QY7FVpU

PDF- http://thejoyofwomanhood.googlepages.com/ThanksandGivingTrees.pdf

http://www.busybeekidscrafts.com/TP-Roll-Turkey.html

http://iheartcraftythings.blogspot.com/2012/11/thankful-turkey-box-tutorial.html

http://www.crafts-for-all-seasons.com/thankful-turkey-craft.html

http://speechroomnews.blogspot.com/2012/11/a-peek-at-thanksgiving.html

Template for a turkey craft: http://shared.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/holidays/feltturkey.pdf

This Gratitude Tree craft from Green Kid Crafts looks fun to make! http://greenkidcraftsblog.com/2012/11/08/holiday-crafts-for-families-gratitude-tree/#

Another fun version of a gratitude tree from Projects for Preschoolers: http://www.projectsforpreschoolers.com/making-a-thankful-tree-and-21-days-of-contagious-gratitude/ & more of their crafts: http://www.projectsforpreschoolers.com/holidays/thanksgiving/.

Make a gratitude garland: http://mamascouts.blogspot.com/2011/11/make-gratitude-garland.html & another version at: http://www.simplymodernmom.com/2009/11/thanksgiving-garland/.

Tons of great ideas on this blog post! http://raisingfigureskaters.com/2012/10/31/november-family-gratitude-activities/

ABC’s of Thanksgiving printable: http://thisreadingmama.com/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2012/10/ABCs-of-Thanksgiving.pdf (57 page PDF). This would be cool to incorporate with yoga poses for each letter from any of the alphabet-inspired kids yoga products (The ABCs of Yoga for Kids by Teresa Anne Power – book & yoga cards; Asana Alphabet: Yogi & Yogette Learn the Asana Alphabet; Elahi Yoga Student Workbook; Frog Yoga Alphabet Teacher Training Package by Young Yoga Masters; Learn With Yoga ABC Yoga Cards for Kids cards by Addyria)

Fun snack idea from “Cooking Up Good Speech“! See details on how to make it: http://speechsnacks.com/2012/11/juiciest-turkey-ever-speechsnacks-direction-sequencing/

Looking for more fall activities & ideas? Check out this updated blog post. I have added several new things for 2012: https://omazingkidsllc.com/2011/09/24/happy-fall-fun-fall-books-activities/ & the Apple Farmer Annie post: https://omazingkidsllc.com/2012/09/15/apple-farmer-annie-seed-to-farmers-market-kids-yoga-lesson-plan/.

See more Gratitude & Thankfulness ideas in this album on the OMazing Kids Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga/photos_stream#!/media/set/?set=a.268074106576935.81063.174264525957894&type=3

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” William A. Ward.

What are you thankful for?

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

Speech-Language Pathologist

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

Radiant Child Yoga Certified – Levels 1 & 2

E-Mail: amoorad1@juno.com

Contests & Giveaways on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsContestsandGiveaways

http://soundcloud.com/omazing-kids-yoga/happy-apple-vintage-fisher

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Apple Farmer Annie: Seed to Farmers’ Market Kids Yoga Lesson Plan

Posted on September 15, 2012 by OMazing Kids

Apple-Farmer-Annie

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“Apple Farmer Annie” by Monica Wellington is a new addition to my OMazing Kids collection of “Fall Faves”.

The vivid fall colors, cute illustrations & large text make this a fun read. In the fall, Annie picks her apples, and sorts and organizes them. Some she turns into applesauce, apple muffins, apple pie, apple cake, and cider. The best she saves to sell at the market. Happily, she sells everything and returns home to rest, read, and, of course, eat an apple. I bought my copy on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Apple-Farmer-Annie-Monica-Wellington/dp/0142401242

The book has the following opportunities for yoga poses & breathing:

sun breath & stretch (http://wp.me/p1t7TU-1T, includes link to a video clip & free sun printables)
seed (child’s pose)
apple tree
orchard of trees partner pose
apple blossoms (flower pose)
buzzing bee breath
apple picking stretch (crescent moon, ask kids what color apples they want to pick)
basket ( cobbler’s pose)
sort the apples (toe-ga game with red, green & yellow pom-poms. pick up with toes & sort into small baskets – for more about “toe-ga” see this great post on Yoga in My School: http://yogainmyschool.com/2012/09/04/toe-ga-kids-yoga-sorting-game/
slice the apples (woodchopper pose)
pour the apple cider (triangle pose)
stir-the-pot
cookbook (cobbler’s pose, then open & close legs like turning pages in a cookbook)
roll out the pie dough (lay on belly & kids choose if they want their arms, legs or back rolled out with a pool noodle “rolling pin” or a real rolling pin – be mindful of kid’s sensory needs and always ask their permission before touching. Some kids may prefer to roll out their own arms or legs with the pool noodle)
pie (seated angle pose)
oven (seated forward fold, legs are the oven rack & lean forward towards toes as you “close the oven door”)
tick-tock-toes timer (point-flex feet while saying “tick tock” as the pie “cooks” on your oven)
smell & “mmm” breath
load the truck (seated twist to pass the apple basket)
drive the truck (use pool noodle “steering wheel” for added fun – see pic in this Facebook album: http://tinyurl.com/9897x7h
bridge
boat
table (have an empty aluminum pie tin to place on the kids “table” for added fun & to encourage holding the pose steady)
crescent moon
yawn & stretch
reclined belly breathing with small apple basket on belly
star savasana

See some pics from our Inclusive Kids Yoga Class in this album on the OMazing KidsFacebook page:

Playlist: Please be mindful of kids individual sensory needs when using music in a group setting (http://omazingkidsyoga.com/music/) 🙂

The Amazing Apple by Bobbie Lancaster (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001RWY8F8/ref=dm_dp_trk5)
Apple Tree by Justin Roberts (http://www.amazon.com/Apple-Tree/dp/B0017HYH8G; listen on this Youtube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwg9tog1gDM)
Apple Tree by Octopretzel (http://www.amazon.com/Apple-Tree/dp/B001RWT7AO)
Apple Tree by Barbara Belzil (http://www.amazon.com/Apple-Tree/dp/B004WYMSIW)
Little Seed by Elizabeth Mitchell (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008I5P75W/ref=dm_mu_dp_trk13)
Making Pie by Kira Willey (http://www.amazon.com/Making-Pie/dp/B0012PCDCK)
One Small Seed by Nu Myth Band (http://www.amazon.com/One-Small-Seed/dp/B0016IRN2I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1347900859&s=dmusic&sr=1-1)
Leaves Falling by Bill & Tammy’s Children’s World Music Express (http://www.amazon.com/Leaves-Falling/dp/B0017KQ2S6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1349304582&s=dmusic&sr=1-1)
To Be a Tree by The Flannery Brothers (http://flannerybrothers.com/track/to-be-a-tree)

Update 9/16/13: check out this fun Apple Tree action song from The George Center for Music Therapy, Inc.: http://youtu.be/U2ztJjUcqSA

Update 9/16/13: Add a mindful tasting activity with the awesome book “No Ordinary Apple: A Story About Eating Mindfully” by Sara Marlowe (Note: it’s important to know about any food allergies or dietary restrictions before using food in kids yoga).

See book trailer at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqxrEoLi2xY

It would also be fun to incorporate a mindfulness activity with my vintage Fisher Price Happy Apple chime toy! One idea would be shake it and listen for the chime to stop (similar to the chime bar activity). If I have a group of kids that are pretty calm and I feel I can trust not to throw it, I may even do a walking mindfulness walking activity (walking carefully with the intent of not making it chime). Even just as an apple “story prop”, my beloved Happy Apple is definitely coming along when I read this book (it makes me smile just to look at it & the chime sound is beautiful…… wish they still made this toy 🙂 ). If you are curious about what is inside a “Happy Apple”, check out this post: http://carolynkephart.blogspot.com/2011/09/at-core-of-happy-apple.html

Free printable Apple Farmer Annie: Seed to Farmers’ Market Kids Yoga Sequence (5 poses with small pics to color for each):

Apple Farmer Annie – seed to farmers market kids yoga sequence by OMazing Kids– 1 page PDF.

(The cute stick figure yoga pose pics are available on: http://media.freeola.com/other/6271/freeyogaasanastickfigures.pdf

See the entire book on this Youtube video from ChildcareLand: ht

This SLP website has a great free adapted Apple Farmer Annie interactive book that includes symbols, an adapted picture recipe, apple bingo game boards & more: http://www.4gaslps.com/AppleAnnie.doc

Looking for more fall activities & ideas? Check out this updated blog post. I have added several new things for 2012: https://omazingkidsllc.com/2011/09/24/happy-fall-fun-fall-books-activities/

Join in on a discussion about fun fall kids yoga ideas on the OMazing Kids Facebook page:

Extend the apple theme with “10 Apples Up on Top” by Dr. Seuss. See this blog for free printable story props:

http://chapelhillsnippets.blogspot.com/2012/08/10-apples-up-on-top-printables.html

Even more apple stuff on this website: http://web.archive.org/web/20050113090219/http://home.att.net/~elteach/appleseed.html

A cool apple tree life cycle animation video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chNwmpqSa78

UPDATE – 9/3/13: Fun construction paper apple craft: http://hubpages.com/hub/Fall-Preschool-Apple-Craft-Ideas#PhotoSwipe137780056

Love how each child’s apple ended up being unique! (from our Inpatient Adapted Yoga Class at the JD McCarty Center on 9/3/13)

UPDATE 9/16/13: Fun apple fingerplay action songs (see page 1 of this PDF: http://www.ylpl.lib.ca.us/teach/fingerplays.pdf

apples fingerplays

8/11/22 Updated contact info:

Have questions? The best way to reach me with any questions is via messaging on the OMazing Kids Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsAAC/.

Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP, Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC, OMazing Kids AAC Consulting

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Moosely Marvelous – OMazing Kids Lesson Plan, Printables, Music & More….

Posted on September 12, 2012 by OMazing Kids

My favorite animal is the Moose….. I literally have hundreds of moose items (plush, books, games, socks, T’s, PJ’s, art, figurines, dishes, quilts, music ….. the list goes on & on). The Moose “high interest/passion” started when I was a kid watching Bullwinkle.

My favorite moose book to use in kids yoga is “Agate: What Good Is A Moose?” by Joy Morgan Dey

Agate the Moose suffers from low self-esteem, always comparing himself to his sparkling friends, named for birthstones. In the end, they help Agate to see that he, too, is a beautiful gem, a secret jewel. I love, love, LOVE this book! It has wonderful illustrations, descriptive vocabulary, is full of animals that fit with yoga poses/activities, shows the power of kind words & friends, etc…

Here are the opportunities for yoga poses in the book: alligator, elephant, penguin (mountain – then waddle), giraffe, lion, monkey (chest taps), bear (bear crawl, waltzing to 1-2-3 beat, sleeping bear – child’s pose), porcupine (padma/lotus mudra – http://www.yogacheryl.com/images/m_padma_mudra.jpg), hippo (happy baby & rock-n-roll), racoon (gyan mudra at eyes – like the mask on a racoon – http://im.rediff.com/getahead/2009/may/29slide5-yoga.jpg), eagle, and bat (lay on back, legs up and crossed, arms crossed).

Depending on the class size & specific kids in the class, I either do coloring for relaxation and/or do belly breathing with small river rocks or polished stones. See free printable coloring sheets & mandala below. I found polished agate gemstone rocks at the Museum of Natural History gift shop and have also gotten some in gift shops in mountain towns on vacation.

I have lots of “moose music” and develop my playlist based on the sensory needs of the kids in the class. See Soundcloud playlist below.

I tie in affirmation mantras based on the meanings for the birthstones (see free printable below) & include a discussion about the beauty inside each of us and the power of positive words & friends.

A great short video from the author & illustrator:

I bought the book at: http://www.amazon.com/Agate-Moose-Joy-Morgan-Dey/dp/0942235738/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330195047&sr=8-1

Author’s Websites: http://www.agatethemoose.com/ & http://joymorgandey.com/ – lots of fun free stuff for the book. Buy the poster at: http://www.lakesuperiormagazine.com/cat/agate.html

click on each pic to open coloring page & puzzle PDF’s

Printables I made to use as story props with the book: click each pic to open up that PDF

Larger Animal Story Props:

Agate Whate Good Is A Moose – Large Animal Story Props – 8-page PDF

New: More Precious than Jewels affirmation coloring activity

I made this to use as an affirmation coloring activity for Camp ClapHans. After doing yoga along with the book, each child drew or wrote things that they were good at or liked about themselves in the middle of each gem. For kids that are not able to do that, this activity could be adapted by having small pictures or symbols that the child could choose from and glue onto each gem.

Playlist: Please be mindful of kids individual sensory needs when using music in a group setting (http://omazingkidsyoga.com/music/) 🙂

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0014HUCMO/ref=docs-os-doi_0,

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00346ALR4/ref=dm_dp_trk13?ie=UTF8&qid=1330196121&sr=1-21,

http://www.amazon.com/Land-of-the-Silver-Birch/dp/B0012AQEAW/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=dmusic&qid=1330195492&sr=1-10,

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000QPQCTM/ref=dm_dp_trk11?ie=UTF8&qid=1330195915&sr=1-1

More free printables to go with this amazing book!

Moose & Birch Leaves Mandala – source: http://www.donteatthepaste.com/2011/09/birch-leaves-mandala.html – I just added the moose clip art border

New Moose Mandala from http://www.donteatthepaste.com/2013/05/moose-mandala-to-color.html

moose_mandala_lg

Moose Tracks Printable – source: Karma Wilson’s author website: http://karmawilson.com/teachers.htm#moose

Cool Moose Tree Pose Coloring Sheet (by Cyn Narcisi – amazing illustrator: http://www.cynnarcisi.com/hire.htm & http://cynnarcisi.blogspot.com/)

Love this Moose Craft printable from LearnCreateLove.com! (http://learncreatelove.com/?p=2632)

Moose Doodle Coloring Page: http://www.doodle-art-alley.com/moose-coloring-pages.html

Moose Zendoodle: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=594055140645495&set=a.344153432302335.95762.174264525957894&type=3&theater

UPDATE – New 2/3/16:

{Coloring Page Giveaway} Get a FREE copy of this awesome new detailed moose coloring page from PlayKites Designs. Here’s how to get your copy…. easy as 1-2-3:

1. “Like” their FB page: https://www.facebook.com/PlayKites
2. Leave a comment on this post: https://www.facebook.com/PlayKites/posts/205575433126666
3. Send a message to me at OMazing Kids mentioning “Playkites Moose” and that you liked and commented. Facebook Messaging for OMazing Kids: https://www.facebook.com/messages/17426452595789. *Note: If you encounter any difficulty in sending a private FB message, please try another means of getting on Facebook (FB app, getting on FB via Safari on an iPad or getting on Facebook via a computer.)

Then I will reply with a link to where you can download the free PDF printable 🙂

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

Speech-Language Pathologist at the JD McCarty Center in Norman, Oklahoma (http://www.jdmc.org/)

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

Radiant Child Yoga Certified – Levels 1 & 2

E-Mail: amoorad1@juno.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.

Book Review: ABC Menagerie (be prepared for a menagerie of fun!)

Posted on July 13, 2012 by OMazing Kids

Check out this fun new book I won from Compendium – Live Inspired!

I have tons of ABC books but ABC Menagerie is definitely a new fave! There is an animal and rhyme for each letter of the alphabet. The book has unique animal names that give it a multicultural flair (Ayo the Aardvark, Brunhilde the Bear, Chione the Camel, Degas the Dog, Eshe the Elephant, Fritz the Fox, Galina the Goat, Henri the Hare, Ignacius the Iguana, Jesenia the Jaguar, Kyeema the Kangaroo, Luciana the Llama, Murray the Mole, Nigaq the Narwhal, Ophelia the Opossum, Percival the Pig, Quintessa the Quail, Runako the Rhino, Sheldon the Sheep, Thuy the Turtle, Ultima the Umbrellabird, Vikram the Vulture, Wava the Walrus, Xavier the X-imal, Yuri the Yak & Zareb the Zebra), great descriptive vocabulary and is full of humor and play on words. I love the additional details of how to pronounce each name & the information about each animal and their habitat in the back of the book…. laughed out loud at the humourous description of the X-imal 🙂

But best of all are the photos of the quirky felt animal sculptures that stand out against the plain white background. So many details to look at and to describe….. a SLP’s dream come true! The plain white background, vivid colors & large font type will be great for kids with special needs, especially those with Autism, ADHD, Learning Disabilities & Visual Impairments.

Kids yoga teachers are gonna LOVE all the great opportunities for poses with this many animals. Most pair up easily with existing poses while others will require some creativity. I’ve got my thinking-cap on to come up for poses for aardvark, llama, opossum, walrus & yak as well as the birds in the book: quail, umbrellabird & vulture. Any ideas?

Available at: http://www.live-inspired.com/ABC-Menagerie-P1032 & on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/ABC-Menagerie-M-H-Clark/dp/1932319549.

See the cool story behind the creation of the book: http://www.live-inspired.com/blog/post.cfm/abc-menagerie.

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

Speech-Language Pathologist

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

Radiant Child Yoga Certified – Levels 1 & 2

E-Mail: amoorad1@juno.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

Posted on April 14, 2012 by OMazing Kids

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

http://www.kizclub.com/storypatterns/folktales/goldilocks(C).pdf

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.

Goldilocks & the 3 Grounded Bears – a classic tale with a kids yoga twist

Posted on March 21, 2012 by OMazing Kids

We have been having a fun discussion on the OMazing Kids Yoga Facebook page about great picture books and stories to use in yoga with kids 2-10 years of age!

One of the many great ideas shared was to use Goldilocks & the 3 Bears. Several folks were intrigued by that so Jessica Millen at Grounded Yoga Chicago (http://groundedyogachicago.com/) e-mailed me the details to share since it was too long to post in the comments on Facebook.

Here are the details in a 1-page printable PDF:

If you have questions about the lesson plan, feel free to send Jessica an e-mail: warm123@me.com

Free printables to use with the story:

http://www.kizclub.com/storypatterns/folktales/goldilocks.pdf

Get in on the fun discussion thread of great kids books by adding your comments on the photo on the FB page – https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=344588795592132&set=a.191017694282577.62242.174264525957894&type=1&theater

Love the creative & fun ideas being shared

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

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.336777133039965.93978.174264525957894&type=3

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.

St. Patrick’s Day Kids Yoga Ideas from OMazing Kids Yoga

Posted on March 6, 2012 by OMazing Kids

Here are some ideas for a St. Patrick’s Day kids yoga class…. see the comments & links on each picture in the album on the OMazing Kids Yoga Facebook page. I’m trying this out to see if posting ideas in an album is quicker than a blog post….. let me know what you think. Are ideas easier to look at in an album on Facebook or on a blog post?

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpVUih5nY9g

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.

Give Love: A Valentine’s Day Lesson Plan from OMazing Kids Yoga

Posted on February 8, 2012 by OMazing Kids

“Happy Valentine’s Day, Mouse!” by Laura Numeroff is one of my favorite Valentine’s Day books. There are several animals (mouse, dog, cat, bunny, moose, fox, pig) so it is great for a kids yoga class. Each animal in the story has a unique strength & I love how Mouse takes the time to make a special card for each of his friends…. and the friends have a special surprise for Mouse 🙂

How we did the poses for this book: mouse – child’s pose, upward facing dog, cat, bunny breaths (3 quick sniffs in), moose -a variation on “deer” pose from Yoga In My School (http://yogainmyschool.com/2010/07/19/kids-yoga-poses-deer-pose-marichiyasana-ii/) – we added holding our hands up on our heads as antlers, fox – the sign for “fox” http://www.babysignlanguagedictionary-mysmarthands.com/fox_-_ASL_sign_for_fox.html – looks like the Gyan mudra around the nose, & pig – the yoga freeze dance since pig & mouse are dancing on that page in the book 🙂

Symbols that I made to use with the book are available as “exclusive content” to supporters over on my page on Ko-fi (1-page PDF without watermark):

I think Pig & Mouse are dancing to the MC Yogi song “Give Love”… so we did Yoga Freeze Dance to this song. When the music stops you freeze in your favorite yoga pose.

(http://www.yogafriends.com/mc_yogi_give_love.mp3 – “right click” on this link & “save target as” to save the mp3)

The Valentine’s Day playlist on my Soundcloud:

http://soundcloud.com/omazing-kids-yoga/sets/valentines-day-playlist/

Bari Koral’s Hearts song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejwrUXNoDds

Imaginations: Fun Relaxation Stories and Meditations for Kids has two guided imagery stories that will be great to use with a Valentine’s Day or love theme kids yoga class! Here is a partial screenshot. See more details about this fabulous book in this post on the OMazing Kids blog: https://omazingkidsllc.com/2012/08/26/review-giveaway-imaginations-fun-relaxation-stories-and-meditations-for-kids/. Available on Amazon at: http://www.amazon.com/Imaginations-Relaxation-Stories-Meditations-Kids/dp/1463512023.

Hugs & Kisses Pose from Yoga Rocks!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvLeXxbA2Wc (another version at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5HKR8krGpg)

This is a great feel good pose, hugging yourself and throwing kisses out to the world. This pose helps kids to feel love and give love.

Sitting tall on your yoga mat, bend your legs so your knees are up and your feet are close to you. Wrap your arms around your legs and give yourself a big squeeze for “Hug”. Then open your arms and legs up and out into a big “X” for “Kiss” making a kiss sound.

Fun partner pose ideas & a free printable in this post from Playful Learning: Yoga for Kids: V-Day Edition

Heart Pose from Sprout

Mini video on Sprout website: http://50.57.13.175/sprout/Activities/detail.aspx?id=5a853f61-20b4-4f4c-ae7a-997a0181a942

Partner Heart Pose from Yoga in Mar Vista

click on the photo to go to their Facebook page 🙂

Strike a Valentine’s Day Yoga Pose! 5 Festive Stretches For Kids

Heart Mudra – Sit with your legs crossed. Then hide your arms behind your back before you show your valentine the heart you made for them with your hands.

See all 5 poses from Lara Benusis, the youth program director at Pure Yoga at: http://www.lilsugar.com/Valentines-Day-Yoga-Poses-Kids-13881568

We worked on friendship social skills during our Valentine’s Day yoga class by asking each other about our two favorite colors & two favorite animal valentines. Then we colored two animal valentines to give to each of our friends in the class.

animal valentines to color

animal valentines (colored version)

Depending on how much time you have, you could also do yoga poses for the animals on the valentines.

We made this super easy heart-shaped valentine holder from Making Learning Fun: http://www.makinglearningfun.com/themepages/ValentineHeartHolder.htm

I saved it as a PDF to make it easier to print: heart valentine holder printable

Heart Mandalas: I saved 24 heart mandalas in a PDF document to make it easier to print them – heart mandalas. A valentine’s gift of 2 dozen mandalas 🙂 Coloring mandalas is a calming activity for most kids. Some of these mandalas are simple & some are more complex so please keep each child’s level of fine motor skills & ability to handle detail in mind when picking ones for them to color.

Links to the source for each mandala can be found on each picture in the album on my OMazing Kids Yoga Facebook page: www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.317072695010409.90378.174264525957894&type=3

Note: These mandalas are for non-commercial use only.

Look at the cool handout that Laura Fuller from Yoga in Mar Vista made with one of the Heart Mandalas! Click on each pic to open up that PDF (2 separate 1-page PDF’s):

Love coloring sheet

Make your own Candy Heart messages:

http://www.cryptogram.com/hearts/

Link to the HeartMath website (mentioned on page 2 of the mandala handout): www.heartmath.org,

Shift and Shine Technique^® for Ages 3-6: http://www.heartmath.org/free-services/tools-for-well-being/shift-and-shine-age-3-to-6.html?submenuheader=2,

HeartShift™ Tool for Ages 7 – 11: http://www.heartmath.org/free-services/tools-for-well-being/heartshift-age-7-to-11.html?submenuheader=2

The Quick Coherence Technique® for Ages 12-18: http://www.heartmath.org/free-services/tools-for-well-being/quick-coherence-age-12-to-18.html?submenuheader=2

Loving Kindness Meditation – click pic to open PDF (Source: SoulShine Life – Yoga for Kids and Families – Facebook post)

Valentine’s Day Finger Puppets:

Valentine finger puppets (color version)

& Valentine finger puppets (black & white version – for kids to color)

A fun idea for Valentine’s Day Affirmations from Stress Free Kids:

More Valentine’s Day coloring pages: http://twistynoodle.com/coloring-pages/holiday/valentines-day/

Lots of great free Valentine’s Day stuff on the Super Simple Songs website: http://www.supersimplesongs.com/valentines/

A craft for later: These would take more time than we would have in a kids yoga class but would be fun to make at home and a great way to reuse broken crayons: http://thelongthread.com/?p=5646 & more tips: http://www.makeandtakes.com/recycled-chunky-crayons

Want even more ideas for Valentine’s Day themed yoga? Check out these posts: http://yogainmyschool.com/2010/02/11/kids-valentines-day-yoga-class/, http://yogainmyschool.com/2012/02/13/valentines-week-tlc-challenge/ & http://www.lilsugar.com/Valentines-Day-Yoga-Poses-Kids-13881568.

Looking for even more great books?

Love and Kisses by Sarah Wilson

Here are the symbols I made to go with it. I put a small piece of velcro on the back of each heart & on the front of each character so kids can add a “kiss” to each one as we read the book…. great for working on vocabulary, following directions, great book for kids yoga with the added message of the love you give coming back to you…. https://omazingkidsllc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/love-kisses.pdf

All Kinds of Kisses by Nancy Trafuri

Totally LOVING the new book “All Kinds of Kisses” by Nancy Tafuri! Each spread has an animal and how they kiss their little ones (ex: “Little Piglet loves Oink kisses.”). Again lots of animals so it would be great for kids yoga, great for teaching vocabulary (including names for the babies of each animal), teaching animal sounds, great repeated line (good for emergent literacy, use of a BigMack voice output communication aide, intraverbal fill-ins in an ABA Verbal Behavior program, etc…) and the bluebird is included somewhere on each page so it encourages looking for that detail. I made symbols for this book too: https://omazingkidsllc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/all-kinds-of-kisses.pdf

Big Hugs, Little Hugs by Felicia Bond

I love this new book by Felicia Bond too! Although it would fit with a Valentine’s Day theme, it could be used anytime of the year & has tons of opportunities for kids yoga poses/activities. And for SLP’s out there, lots of great vocabulary & opposites word pairs. I got a great deal on this book at Sam’s Club 🙂 Here are the symbols I made to go with the book: https://omazingkidsllc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/big-hugs-little-hugs.pdf

How Do I Love You? by Marion Dane Bauer

The Day It Rained Hearts by Felicia Bond

Never Too Little to Love by Jeanne Willis

My Heart is Like a Zoo by Michael Hall (see ideas on the Storyoga Facebook post: http://tinyurl.com/7p3p6xq; a printable resource guide from the publisher: http://www.harpercollinschildrens.com/harperchildrensImages/Printable/my%20heart%20is%20like%20a%20zoo%20activities.pdf )

Cute Carson Dellosa heart crafts to go with this book – click pic to open PDF:

Love is the Color of a Rainbow by Kathy Parra (see my blog post for a review & giveaway: http://omazingkidsyoga.com/2012/02/13/review-giveaway-love-is-the-color-of-a-rainbow-plus-some-rainbow-yoga-ideas/)

Can you tell that I love Valentine’s Day? 🙂

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