WEEK 1: Students will see first-hand through storytelling how the practice of gratitude deeply changes your experience. They will have the opportunity to share their thoughts and insights during in-class discussion. They will kick start their own gratitude practice through the use of a gratitude jar (attached as download), as well as learn about the various other simple and effective ways to institute a gratitude practice in their own lives. 

WEEK 2: Students will learn to believe in themselves, to honor their uniqueness, and to love themselves courageously! Marlo the Mouse exemplifies all of this through his brave adventure. Children will reinforce these concepts and connect them to themselves through the "Things I  Love About Myself," activity sheet. They will also be encouraged to create a log of all their amazing accomplishments - big and small - each day. This journal serves as  proof that they can do great things and make a difference in the world! 

WEEK 3: Students will learn about the concept of oneness and apply this to their own life through completion of and discussion about the "All the Ways" worksheet. In this worksheet students will list all the ways that they are similar to a child living in a different part of the world (i.e. two legs, family, etc.) as well as all the experiences that they share in common (i.e. excited for holiday, swimming in the ocean, etc). 

They will also be encouraged to journal each day about all the ways they felt loved and shared love that day. There is no force greater than love! This daily journaling practice will serve as a powerful reminder of how present love is in their lives and how they can be active source for spreading love in the world! 

WEEK 4:  Being present is a practice - at any age. For adults the lack of presence manifests in fear or worry about the future, regrets or anger over the past. For children the lack of presence often appears as a fixation on what is happening next or an immediate need for gratification. 

In this story, our main character, Charlie, is so fixated on what he needs to be doing to prepare for the future, that he misses out on the beauty unfolding around him. His metamorphosis at the end of the story leaves him transformed not only into a butterfly, but into a more present being. 

To reinforce the lessons from this story, students will take a moment to sit quietly and then complete the “Everything Around Me” activity sheet. This sheet asks them to observe and reflect on all the details in their present moment. 

They will also be encouraged to integrate the practice of presence into their daily lives through using their five senses to journal or sit quietly and observe the world around them. 

I use storytelling as the obvious go-to to introduce a concept to children. The following discussion and hands-on activities serve as techniques to further integrate the concept. As a homeschooling mom, I have taught to a variety of learning styles, but for young children in particular, these two techniques always produce the best results! 

Gratitude is one of the most simple and powerful tools available to us to instantly shift our mood, uplift our spirits, attract more good into our lives, and improve the quality of our lives in astounding ways! I have seen how instituting this as a daily practice can have a remarkable effect on a child's happiness and resilience. Over the years, I  have utilized a variety of strategies to incorporate this daily practice into the lives of my own four children, as well as my own. 

What we believe will always come true in our lives! Knowing this to be true, we MUST teach our children to believe in themselves! To KNOW that they can (and already do) accomplish great things and make a real difference simply by being their own, unique, amazing selves! 

Children are born with a curiosity about the natural world and an innate sense of connection. This feeling of connection, of being part of a greater whole, is so essential to their well being and development! There are so many ways to encourage this connection from time in nature to time in reflection. Finding small ways to make this a part of their life will have big impacts!