Trickster
Mindful Movement does not always need to be calm, slow and serious.
We often talk about, “meeting the body where it is at”. This time of year can present challenges for adults trying to wrangle in the excess energy. Instead of trying to resist the silliness, we recommend offering opportunities for play within the mindful framework.
Trickster and Archetype Game from the Yoga Calm® curriculum helps students identify the trickster in themselves and develop this aspect of the personality in ways that are useful or otherwise positive. This activity allows for playful exploration, perfect for high energy days!
Here are some tips for adding some interest to your weekly literacy lesson and integrating the text connection ELA standard.
Start With Stories
Start by building background with a variety of trickster tales. From Kipling’s Just So Stories to Robin Hood and his Merry Men, skip across time and space to analyze the similarities between all of these tricksters.
Play the Game
Start by spreading the students out around the room. Use the Move Mindfully® Card Deck to get bodies grounded before you begin. We have mapped out sequences for releasing, grounding and calming. Then, call out the name of a trickster, like “Anansi” and watch everyone transform into cunning spiders, scurrying along the floor. I like to use a drum as a cue to start and stop movement. When the drum starts playing, movement starts. The slow, steady beat helps bodies stay regulated and in control.
When the drum stops, students show a freeze of the trickster. It is important that after an exciting game like this one, that students are brought back with regulating breathing and movement. Try this follow along video to reset the room.
Extend to Writing
To extend into Writer’s Workshop, you can use photos from the Trickster Game as inspiration for a Trickster Tale. You’ll be amazed how weaving a photograph into the illustration can encourage reluctant writers!
Build Self Awareness and Self Esteem
I love that this activity allows students to tap into a side of their personality that is normally seen as taboo. I even had a student come back the next day and say, “Now, Mrs. Kennelly… I normally wouldn’t do this, but I figured you would be okay with it… studying tricksters and all…” After much beating around the bush he presented his prized collection of practical joke items. He was so proud showing off his fake cockroach.
In this world we need architects, advocates and executives… but we also need jokesters. We need the class clown. We need to laugh. And what is funnier than a fake cockroach on your breakfast?
Have you tried the trickster activity? Leave a comment!
Be Well,
Stephanie Kennelly
![👶Early Childhood 👦
We are loving our Move Mindfully Early Childhood Workshop! Here is what people are saying... 🗣
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“The techniques are easy to use and of great value to me in my child care setting and the kids respond well to it.”
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“I really love using everything I have learned with Move Mindfully. [It] has really calmed my children in my care.”
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“The children look forward to our breathing exercises and yoga. It has been a great tool to use in my child care.”
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And the data:
Two months after the training, 95% of providers used the techniques each week and 35% of those were using the techniques daily. Providers were most frequently using calming breaths (94%), yoga poses (89%), and the Hoberman sphere (89%) with children in their daycare. All providers reported that Move Mindfully® techniques were either helpful or slightly helpful in fostering children’s self-regulation, smooth transitions, de-escalation, and focus. Most providers (82%) reported Move Mindfully® was easy-to-use in the child care setting and the remaining 18% of providers considered the techniques somewhat easy-to-use. Most providers reported no barriers to using Move Mindfully®. The techniques require no special space, and no or low-cost equipment. •
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