How to use Relax Kids in School
You can fit Relax Kids into anytime of the school day. You don't need much room as children can listen to CDs sitting at their desk or crossed legged on the floor. Here are a few ideas of when you can use relaxation in your classroom.
Breakfast Clubs
If your school has a Breakfast Club, this is an ideal time to introduce relaxation to the children. Let children listen to a track from the Relax Kids CD. Children can also pick out a positive Star or Mood Card to give them a positive thought for the day
Class time
At the beginning of the day or class, allow children to sit at their desk with their head in their hands and play a 3 min track from a Relax Kids CD. Alternatively, read a Relax Kids meditation out to the class as you play some soft background music. Children can practice some self massage or peer massage as they listen to a Relax Kids CD. A simple breathing exercise is a great way to start the day. To choose a positive quality or feeling for the day, place the Relax Kids Star or Mood Cards in a box or bag and let children pick a Star Card at the beginning of the day.
For KS1, you could play the Relax Kids DVD on the interactive white board to give children something to watch as they relax for 3 minutes.
You may like to stop regularly and allow children to close their eyes and relax for 30 seconds during the day to increase productivity.
You may like to use a meditation as an introduction to creative writing or any topic work. For example 'lucky dip box' from wishing Star book, would be good for Christmas creative writing. 'The Snowman' from Aladdin's Magic Carpet is a good introduction to a topic on winter. 'Butterfly' from the wishing star could be used effectively when teaching children how caterpillars turn into butterflies. 'Mountain' 'peaceful cave' and 'boat' could be used at the start of a geography lesson as a focus point.
Wet Play
Children are often more energetic and restless during wet play. You may like to play a 3 min track from a Relax Kids CD to allow them to go on an adventure in their mind, returning refreshed.
Time Out
You may like to use a relaxation track as 'Time Out' - a positive way of giving a child or class calming down and 'thinking time'. One 3 minute track is a useful way to measure time.
After Break and Lunch
A couple minutes relaxation after lunch or breaks is a great way to re-focus and prepare children for their lesson.
Between classes
You may like to use a short relaxation track in between subject to give children a short break and a breather.
Circle Time/PSHE
Play or read a short relaxation track during Circle-Time - you can choose a random or choose a track according to the them.
If a child is feeling upset or anxious, let them pick a Relax Kids Card from the box or bag to remind them how special they are.
You can also use the cards during conflict resolution.
Assembly
Children can sit cross legged and listen quietly to a 3 min meditation that fits in with the assembly theme. You could use a reflective meditation as an alternative to a prayer. Samples include
Chill-Out Clubs/Nurture Groups
You may like to set up a Chill out Club during lunch times. Introduce some breathing exercises, a little peer massage, some simple stretches and then play a couple of tracks and ask children what they experienced. Children could draw what they saw in their visualisation.
Exam Preparation
To help children prepare for their exams, start listening to the meditations daily at least two weeks before their exams. On the day of their exams, allow children to listen to the relaxation CD prior to their exam.
Before Going Home
Prepare children for going home, by letting them relax to a Relax Kids CD for 3 minutes. If children have behaved well, you may like to reward them with a Relax Kids star sticker.
Testimonials
I am a teacher and I use relax kids almost everyday with 5, 6 and 7 year
olds I've been doing this for a few years now) and the dinner ladies in our
school have even borrowed the Nature CD to use at the end of lunchtime so that
the children visualise and relax instead of 'the usual lining up'. We have
found them to be VERY effective. (for the children AND the adults) I have
recommended them to a couple of parents who have found them valuable.
Julie
I have been using the shining stars cd with my class of 4 year olds. We use them
on a Friday afternoon straight after lunch. The children love them and
really look forward to it and it results in a lovely calm Friday afternoon
(a rare thing in a reception class!!!).
Tessa Best
I use I use the shining stars CD with my class of Year 2 children every day
after lunch for 5 minutes.
It gets rid of all the red faces and clams them down ready for a lovely
afternoon of work!
I also put it on for my 7 year old son at night times if he is feeling a bit
hyper and needs to relax before bed.
Deborah Ellison
I am a Year 6 teacher at market Harborough C of E Primary. I used the CD
with my class during the weeks leading up to their SATs tests in May. They
each bought in a pillow & lay down in the hall. All but 2 (boys!) enjoyed it
& looked forward to our sessions. Some even fell asleep! I will definitely
do some more relaxation sessions next year with my new class.
Julie Guiver
I am a Teaching Assistant in a primary school. I
run nurturing groups for children aged between 7 and 11 years. The children
who attend my groups are often very much in need of some TLC and many of
them have behaviour problems. At the end of every session I use the Relax
Kids cds to calm the children down before I return them to their classes.
The children absolutely love doing their relaxation and many often stick
their head around my door and ask if they can come and "do the sleeping
thing" at random times during the day. I have found that the children with
the worst behaviour problems are the ones that are able to relax the most
and they seem to get the most enjoyment from participating in the sessions.
Sometimes I have to play 2 tracks, as it can take them the length of the
first track to calm down and listen.
Mel Harris
From all the chilled out kids at Glencoe Junior School in Chatham, Kent (and
my sanity).
A great big THANKYOU Relax Kids is brilliant!!!
I am a teacher of emotional and
behavioural problem children and have used your CDs to help the children
when we do relaxation in class. A few of my colleagues have also used them
and find them very useful. We have a multi sensory room in our school and
the play therapist has recommended the CDs to parents of some of our
children who have shown an interest. I would be willing to give any
information to the magazine , I am also a crystal therapist and have used
the CDs on a children's crystal day I did in Manchester.
Deb Kirkby
I am a teacher working with children in ks1 and 2 in a nurture class, all
childen having some difficulties socially, and/or emotionally which may
affect their behaviour and relationships with others as well as their
perception of themselves.
Using Relax kids CDs has been brilliant. The results with some children are
amazing!
Sandra
I am a learning mentor at a school in milton keynes. I use Relax kids in my
sessions and the children absolutely love it. I work with children with
social and emotional issues and it is such a help to me. I sometimes use it
for my boy's that are experiencing anger problems and also at the begining
of some sessions where the children are sometimes a little energetic and
need calming before the session takes place.I am currently placing another
order with you and just wanted to say thankyou. I now would'nt be without
Relax Kids.
Debbie Wood
I have just bought two CD's from you and the children are loving our relaxation time. At registration time they ask if we can have our relaxation time. My class was known to be challenging one when I took it on 9 months ago. You wouldn't think it seeing them all lying down and listening during the session. My morning TA witnessed one of our sessions (we usually have the session in the afternoon) she was utterly amazed at the children's response(and she isn't usually phased or surprised by anything).
Karen