The body scan mindfulness activity focuses student attention on their bodies and any tension or other sensations they feel. This activity is traditionally done sitting or lying down. Through a guided meditation recording, or teacher prompting, students focus on each part of the body (such as feet, legs, torso, heart, arms, hands, etc.) while taking note of what they feel and releasing any tension. The Mental Health Teacher (2022) has put together the following guided video to help young students with the body scan meditation practice, or you may use the additional guided meditations linked in the materials section below.
Grade Level: | All |
Materials: | None needed, but you may consider using a body scan meditation recording such as the one found here. |
Duration: | 5 minutes daily or as needed |
Implementation: |
If you decide not to use a recording, prompt your students with the following instructions:
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Greater Good Science Center. (n.d.). Body scan meditation. https://ggia.berkeley.edu/practice/body_scan_meditation
Shankland, R., & Rosset, E. (2017) Review of brief school-based positive psychological intervention: a taster for teachers and educators. Educational Psychology Review, 29, 363-392. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-016-9357-3
The Mental Health Teacher. (2022, February 27). The body scanner! Mindfulness for children [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLoK5rOl8Qk&t=208s
This content is provided to you freely by BYU Open Learning Network.
Access it online or download it at https://open.byu.edu/addressing_wellbeing/body_scan_relaxation.