I use the following exercise in class with children or with individual children who are needing a moment of calm. It is a fantastic way to get their attention and for everyone to have a moment of calm. It brings everyone’s awareness to the present moment. My favourite instrument to use is a tongue drum, although any resonating instrument will do: a chime bar, sound bowl or triangle. Resonating sound can be used during a mindfulness session, during normal class time or as an exercise in its own right with individual children at home or groups of children. The children also like taking ownership of the instrument and with permission or a nod from me, can take on the responsibility of chiming the bell. The exercise is written up in more detail below:

Resonating sound – Diminuendo to silence

Time – Once this exercise is known it can be used a number of times during a class. Duration is  1-2 minutes

Helps with listening skills, attention and focus. This exercise also helps with relaxation  (quietens the mind and the body). To achieve a moment or moments of calm for the children during a class/ session.

Aim to eventually do this exercise with no verbal clues. To achieve moments of calmness and awareness of the sound gradually disappearing

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Bell…………….

Sound bowl……

Tongue drum…….

Triangle …………

• Introduce the instrument
• Ask the children to listen to the sound of the tone as it fades away and to raise a hand when the sound has completely disappeared.
• Sometimes the sound will be short, sometimes longer.
• Some children will acknowledge the silence after the sound sooner than others.
• Communicate with the children that they may hear the resonating sound at any time during the (mindfulness) session.
• Once the ‘chime’ has been struck the children should stop their activities (ie – put pens/ instruments down) and be quiet, focus on the sound and the fading (diminuendo) of the sound and then quietly put their hands up once the sound has disappeared.

Extension exercise

The children are quiet and relaxed. Take one or two quiet breaths before moving on.