Children’s Wellness Curriculum

$79.00

This turnkey curriculum creatively integrates lessons, stories, songs, movement and artwork to make it easy for any teacher or parent to implement. No prior teaching experience is needed! This curriculum is written with elementary age children in mind but can be adjusted to accommodate any age group. Each lesson or session is designed to introduce wellness techniques to encourage children to live a healthful life. Children learn to apply these empowering techniques in a safe, fun and interactive environment.

About the Curriculum:

This curriculum is designed to accompany the Indigo Dreams: Garden of Wellness audio/CD. Like the Children’s Stress Awareness Curriculum, each lesson integrates stories, songs, movement, artwork and visual aids making it easy for any teacher or parent to implement.

Six tracks give you options! Use the stories when you have time for a complete wellness lesson or as an addition to your established lesson plan. Listen to a story to spark a group conversation on these powerful subjects. Use one of the three practice sessions as part of a lesson or when you want to relax or de-stress your class. Use the calming music track anytime or while children are working.

The difficult issue of bullying is addressed in The Perfect Club. Any child that has encountered being teased or excluded by their peers will benefit from the techniques presented in this heartwarming story of acceptance. Various stress-management, coping strategies provide wellness benefits for any child. Children are encouraged to see the beauty in our differences. Great way to get your class started on a year of acceptance and tolerance.

Children learn how food choices and amounts affect mind and body with Caterpillar Choices. Affirmations support this message while building self-esteem and confidence. Children are encouraged to make healthy food choices and empowered to make changes to their lives. Integrate with lessons in nutrition and importance of exercise. Great way to inspire your class to bring healthy snacks!

This program can be used alone or incorporated into your current program. It can be followed exactly or you can add your own philosophies. The lessons can be presented in any order. Pick and chose what works for you. Be creative and add your own touch by substituting art projects, activities and games. Try role playing or turning a story into a play. I encourage you to use this as a spring board to your own creativity.

This curriculum is non-denominational and can be used with any group of children.

See the Curriculum FAQs

Class Format:

Each class is structured in the following format.

1. Movement Activity: Each class will open with a movement activity. Movement activity and song are provided. The opening activity gets the children interested and lets them see that there is a plan and they will have fun. Teachers will be active participants and pave the way for children to feel relaxed and comfortable in doing the activities. Movement, singing and laughing help children release energy before they shift into sitting and listening to a story.
2. Story time/Lesson: Indigo Dreams: Garden of Wellness CD makes lesson time easy. The lessons and techniques are woven into each story or practice session. The children follow along as they learn life long skills and become active participants in creating their own healthy, calm, peaceful lives.
3. Discussion: Children and teacher/leader will discuss how they feel about the stories. Children will discuss how they should apply the techniques they have just learned and experienced to their own lives and real life situations. Conversation examples are provided.
4. Creative activity: Each lesson includes an easy to do, creative activity designed to reinforce what they have just learned in class.
5. Exit: Affirmations or compliments will be used as an exit tool for the rest of the semester. Each child picks an affirmation or compliment from the class bowl as they leave the classroom.
6. Certificate of Completion: Hand out to students for completing the Wellness Curriculum. It can be found at the back of the curriculum.

Lessons:

1. Lesson One is based around and used with the story entitled The Perfect Club. This story demonstrates how everyone is special in their own way. Students learn about accepting others. The lesson discusses having your feelings hurt and hurting the feelings of others. Children have a chance to discuss how to handle social situations in a way that would not hurt feelings. Positive statements and role playing are used to encourage good social interaction. (i.e.: I encourage others. I treat my friends with respect, I make others feel welcome.)
2. Lesson Two is based around and can be used with your choice of 2 practice sessions. Giving and receiving compliments are explored in this lesson. Bubble Blowing and Light Shield are two effective techniques that can be used to get rid of hurt or angry feelings. They can also be used for stress-management and relaxation. A creative compliment activity brings this lesson and your students together.
3. Lesson Three is based around and used with a story entitled Caterpillar Choices. This story demonstrates how making healthy food choices can effect your mind and body. The lesson is designed to accept each others differences and encourage healthy food choices. A wellness pyramid (a new spin on the old food pyramid) is used to support this lesson and provide flexibility to include any food restrictions a particular family may observe. Affirmations are also used to encourage healthy food choices, exercise, and wellness.