Glitter Jars

“Mind in a Jar”

• Purpose:
• To teach children that they can calm their bodies and minds with deep breathing
• Supplies needed:
• Jars (I used Ball canning jars)
• Water
• Glitter

• (Hint: Glitter is with the bracelet-making kits at Target. I searched forever to find it!)

I made a glitter jar today. Glitter Jars are a great tool that I can use in my classroom and again for myself. This visual aid allows us to show how a mind that is stressed, overwhelmed or angry looks. But if we place the jar on the counter and let it rest the glitter will slowly calm down. And while watching the glitter swirl around, try practice the deep belly breathing. This will calm you down and allow you to have a mind that is susceptible for meditation. By watching and breathing it calms the mind so that it can overcome the anxiety or anger and even refocus. Bringing the mind back to a blank, calm, normal space. I found that even when I am calm this is still a great tool that will allow me completely focus on the glitter, which is great to practice focusing on one thing. Then after getting the steady breathing I can move into a meditation.

This blog provides different and interesting takes on the glitter jar. Check it out hereà http://www.therealisticmama.com/11-awesome-calm-down-jars/