10_Body Maps

Other animals, in a constant and mostly unmediated relation with their sensory surrounding, think with the whole of their bodies. —David Abram Body Maps: Feeling Emotions in the Body At Home Resources Level: Lower Elementary (K-2) Concepts: • Coping Skills • Emotional Literacy • Mind-Body Connection Big Ideas For This LessonA body scan is the practice of paying attention to the physical sensations in your body and reflectingon what emotion(s) is related to each sensation. The emotional landscape of our physical bodies can bedescribed as how we feel in relation to a physical space in the body.For example, when sad, your heart may hurt, or, if you are excited you might feel like there are “butter-flies in your stomach.” As we become aware of our emotions, we can better regulate them. Mindfullypaying attention to the physical sensations in our bodies during an emotional experience deepens oursensitives to the mind-body connection by helping us to stay present to our emotions rather than resistor reject them. Essential Vocabulary Metaphor: A figure of speech that makes a comparison between two things. Body Scan: A form of mindfulness practice that involves consciously directing attention to and relaxing different parts of the body.© 2017 Empowering Education, Inc. PAGE 1 of 2 All rights reserved.

BODY MAPS: FEELING EMOTIONS IN THE BODY | GRADES K-2 PracticePractice the body scan and body map with a family member. Draw a picture of the emotions you feel in yourbody, and use a metaphor to describe one.Metaphor Examples:• When I am excited, I feel like there are butterflies in my stomach.• I feel the color red in my hands when I am angry.• I feel like my chest might explode with joy!• Metaphor: __________________________ Student Resources• Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (Picture Book) by Judith Viorst• Grump Groan Growl (Picture Book) by bell hooks• Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse (Picture Book) by Kevin Henkes• Steps and Stones: An Anh’s Anger Story (Picture Book) by Gail Silver• Stress Bot Body Scan for Kids (Blog) by Kids Relaxation• The Way I Feel (Picture Book) by Janan Cain• What to Do When Your Temper Flares: A Kid’s Guide to Overcoming Problems With Anger (InformationalText) by Dawn Huebner, Ph.D.• Where the Wild Things Are (Picture Book) by Maurice Sendak Adult Resources• Bodily Map of the Emotions (Article) by Lauri Nummenmaa• Helping Kids Manage Anger – Free Printable Game• How to Take Your Pulse (Website) by Kid’s Health• How to Use Mindfulness to Work With Difficult Emotions: A Six Step Process (Blog Post) by Melissa O’Brien• The Right Way to Get Angry (Article) by Todd Kashdan© 2017 Empowering Education, Inc. PAGE 2 of 2 All rights reserved.