How to use this CD at home
Before School
This is often one of the most stressful times in the day. If you could introduce just 2 mins relaxation, it will help set your child on the right track, for a relaxed and positive day.
1 As your child is waking put on one track from the CD and allow them to have a few moments relaxation before they rise.
2 Find time to sit together as a family for 3 mins on the sofa and share a quick relaxation together. This will help your child feel safe and secure.
3 You may like to pick a Star Card or a Mood Card together and share a positive thought for the day. This would take less than a minute and is very unifying.
4 Children could listen to a CD on their headphones on the way to school in the car.
5 If your child appears to be particularly nervous or anxious, allow them to pick a Star Card to help give them courage and strength.
6 Practice breathing exercises together. Take in a deep breath into the tummy and breathe out slowly. This is a simple exercise and can be done on the way to school, in the car or walking.
After School
1 You might like to build a short relaxation session into the home routine after school. Include a snack and the promise of their favourite game or tv show and children are more likely to cooperate.
2 You could put on the Relax Kids DVD and allow children to watch a 3 mins meditation before or after their favourite TV show. Tell children it is only 3 mins so they know what to expect.
3 You could chat about the day over tea or dinner with the whole family. Discuss how the children (and parents) remembered their positive Star Card or kept their positive mood.
4 Practice a simple yoga stretch together to relieve the stress of the day.
5 Offer your child a massage or encourage siblings to massage each other shoulders.
6 3 mins relaxation before homework, will calm your child, bring clarity and concentration and set the mood for study.
At bedtime
1 Ask your child to lie on their back with their arms by their side and feet and ankles relaxed
2 Play the CD at a comfortable volume
3 Let your child know before playing the track that it is 3-4 mins so they know what to expect.
4 Gently resist the urge to be drawn into conversation while the track plays.
5 Be patient - there may be giggles and fidgets and talking. This is normal as it is a new experience. Continue to model
6 Let the tracks continue if you find that your child is comfortable and relaxed
7 When they are ready, they will naturally move to their favourite sleeping position and drift off to sleep
8 It is a good idea to start on a different track each night
Caution:If using headphones. Your child WILL fall asleep while listening. Remove headphones as soon as possible or remain close to supervise any cords.
How to use Relax Kids in school
You could try taking just 3-4 minutes out at the beginning of the day to start the day on a calm and peaceful note. You could try a short relaxation session during assemblies, as many of the meditations incorporate values such as showing respect and loving and caring for others. Listening to a Relax Kids meditation after play times or lunch times can really help calm children down. (In one school, the dinner ladies play the meditations to help keep the children quiet during dinner times!)
You may like to read a Relax Kids meditation story at the end of the day to mark the end of the day, so children go home calm and relaxed and happy. A quick relaxation session, can also be used at the end of one session, to mark the beginning of a new topic.
You might even like to have chill out sessions during lunch times. Children can pick a star card at the beginning of the day, to give them a positive thought and way of working for the day. You could use the star cards during circle time or conflict resolution.
You could set up a Chill out zone in the class room and children could go there when they need to calm down and think about their actions and take a mood card to help them change their mood.
Some teachers set up a rota and have a child of the day who picks a star card for the class and a relaxation for that day.
The child of the day also has a Relax Kids Star sticker to remind them they are the Star child for that day. (stickers are also available from the shop for only 99p for 35 stickers).