Abstract
Penny has gathered her preschoolers for story time. She sings a song (to the tune of “Mary Had a Little Lamb”) to help in the transition. “Now it’s time to read a book, read a book, read a book. Now it’s time to read a book. Let’s all look and listen.” To get READY for today’s story, Penny offers two mindful attention practices. “Before we start reading, let’s practice listening. Remember, listening is paying attention with our ______.” The children all enthusiastically respond, “ears.” “And why do we need to practice listening?” She reinforces answers about enjoying and understanding the story and then instructs them, “Close your eyes and listen to the bell. When you don’t hear it anymore, raise your hand but keep your eyes closed. Ready, set . . .” Penny rings the bell and waits until all hands are up and then instructs the children to open their eyes. “I loved how you all listened with your ears. Now let’s practice looking. Remember, looking is paying attention with our _________.” The children yell, “eyes.” “Looking helps us see words and pictures [Penny points to each]. [Penny shows the Hoberman’s sphere]. Let’s breathe with the breathing ball. Ready? Put your hands on your belly and breathe in through your nose [Penny slowly expands the sphere while counting to five] and breathe out through your nose [Penny slowly contracts the sphere while counting to five].” Penny continues for two more rounds silently and says, “If your mind started to think about something else, that’s OK. Just start over. Breathe in through your nose 1-2-3-4-5 and out through your nose 5-4-3-2-1. Penny continues breathing audibly and deeply in synchronization with the breathing ball for two more rounds and then says, “I loved how you practiced paying attention with your ears and your eyes. Now we’re ready to begin today’s story.””