Clare Cherry author of Think of Something Quiet writes, “…Children coming into early childhood classrooms today have a right to learn the meaningful use of stress, the physiology of their bodies in relation to stress and techniques for relaxation and the discovery of tranquility…They have the right to work and play in an atmosphere of serenity…”

She believes that “Children need to acquire skills that will enable them from time to time to pull back from the turmoil, and think of something quiet inside themselves.”  The following activities will encourage children to turn inward toward a more tranquil approach to life.

Infants: Sleeping Stars – Have the children lie down on the floor, and then have them stretch their arms over their heads wiggling fingers while singing “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.”  Ask them to close their eyes, pretend to be asleep, and think about all the stars in the night sky.  Have them pretend to see the stars, so bright, so still, and so quiet.

Toddlers: Storm Game – This game has four parts.  Have the children pretend to be raindrops, where they start out quiet then become a big storm.  Have them start with 1 and go to 4 then reverse the order going from 4 to 1 as the storm subsides.

1.  Start by rubbing hands to make the sound of the wind.

2.  Then snap fingers to make the sound of the raindrops.

3.  Next pat the top of your thighs loudly as the storm grows.

4.  Finally stamp your feet as storm becomes a hurricane.

Preschoolers: Color Walk – This is a fantasy story where children pretend to go on a color walk.

- Have the children pretend they are standing inside their apartment or house in a black velvet cape with a hood on their head.  Have them feel how warm and soft it feels.

- Have them pretend to go outside to take a walk.  As they walk through the door their black cape turns to a dark purple velvet kings/queens robe.

- Have them pretend to take off their shoes, and walk on cool green grass.  It’s just been cut and smells great, and feels so good between their toes.

- As they pretend to walk, the grass starts to turn to silky brown sand.  It is warm between their toes, and it warms their whole body.

- Have them pretend to look at the blue water and at the waves as they break gently onto the sand.

- Have them pretend to see the setting sun turning a bright red to orange, and then pink as it disappears on the horizon.

- Have them pretend to look up at a beautiful full white moon shinning down on them like a spotlight.  It is so quiet and peaceful.  Tell them to let all their worries and anything they are afraid of float up into the night sky and disappear into the moonlight.

Reach for the stars.

You might not get them, but you won’t wind up with a handful of mud.