MIND JAR
DIRECTIONS:
This jar cannot only be used as a decorative element, but also to calm your mind. Children are asked to think that glitter is like our thoughts. When we shake the jar, we imagine our head full of thoughts going around in circles, like when we feel nervous or angry. To be calm, we can sit comfortably. We shake the jar and then, we inhale and exhale (exhale preferably with your mouth) slowly and deeply. We observe the glitter falling and slowing down, like our thoughts, which slow down clearing our mind to think properly.
You can give children examples about people who are angry and don't know what to say or what to do, or examples about people who feel nervous and do things hastily (like hitting a friend or yelling at someone). But if we are quiet we can calm our mind to think and act suitably.
You can give children examples about people who are angry and don't know what to say or what to do, or examples about people who feel nervous and do things hastily (like hitting a friend or yelling at someone). But if we are quiet we can calm our mind to think and act suitably.
This idea has been taken from Pinterest. You can click the next link. http://www.jugglingwithkids.com/2011/10/mind-jar.html to read the blog.
This idea is also being used to train Mindfulness as it provides a great resource that allows you to pay attention to the present moment and not to the past or the future.
A valuable tip is that if you want to use the mind jar like a relaxing tool, you should use it at restful moments in order to associate those quiet feelings to the jar and when they feel anxious and take the jar, they: their bodies and their minds are going to remember the stress-relieving time.
WHAT DO YOU NEED:
1 jar
Hot or warm water to dissolve glue (hot better)
Glitter glue (at least one) (You can also use glitter and add glue)
Glycerine (1 spoon optional)
Different kind of glitter (stars... and with different tones or colors)
Food coloring (in the supermarket)
Glitter glue (at least one) (You can also use glitter and add glue)
Glycerine (1 spoon optional)
Different kind of glitter (stars... and with different tones or colors)
Food coloring (in the supermarket)
Here you have some examples:
Next one is an example made with a plastic bottle for little children.
PROCEDURE: (This is the best option I have tried)
· Pour a third of the hot water in a jar, add the glitter glue and whip with a whisk.
· Add more glitter or glue or glitter glue and whisk.
· As you pour the rest of the glitter check the speed of the glitter falling down and add more glue if it's necessary.
· Some glitter can dye the water of the jar but if not and you want some colour, add some food colouring (only some drops as they dye the water easily).
Add the rest of the water and more glitter if you want.
Add the rest of the water and more glitter if you want.
· If you are going to use it with kids you can seal the lid with glue to avoid they open the jar.
TIPS:
When the glue gets colder glitter will fall down more slowly.
The following videos are the best ones I have found on the Internet to explain how to do it.
