Birthday Boxes

My daughter celebrated her birthday this week along with several of my yoga students. Of course her favorite part is the gift opening. Birthdays are so special to kids and we all love to open packages with a surprise inside, but after I became a mother I have to say that now my favorite part of celebrations is watching a child-especially my own- open a gift.

Here is one way you can incorporate birthday celebrations and social skills into a children's yoga class a traditional learning environment or even in the home.

A while back, I found a colorful birthday gift box (pictured at left) in the Dollar Store and bought it originally to put a gift in, but the box was too small for the gift I had gotten. Rather than throw it out, I have turned it into my special "Birthday Wish Box".

In this activity I have the children sit in a circle. Each child then gets a turn to 'put' birthday wishes inside the box either by saying them into the box or by writing them on slips of paper and placing them inside. (This activity works best for children 6 or older.)

Each child is encouraged to look at the birthday child as they are doing this and to speak clearly and slowly. (Sometimes they need help with prompts.)  The birthday child is encouraged to do the same and look at the person talking to them. Everyone uses their listening skills, letting one person talk at a time, and remembers their manners with a "Thank You" after each wish is given. The 'gifts' and sentiments are thoughtful, heartfelt and sincere, even among supposed 'enemies'.  Both the givers and the receiver feel valued, cared for and special. The positive atmosphere carries throughout the whole day.

At the end, the birthday child has a turn: a wish for themselves and a wish for their friends.

This idea can be adapted so many ways. You can use an ordinary box with a bow on it-and it does not have to be a "Birthday Box. It can be a " Positive Wish" box or a "Friendship Box" & be used instead by children to give positive reinforcement to each other. Select a "student of the week" and Have the children write something they like about that student on a slip of paper and place in the box during the week. You can also do this as a circle time activity with each child speaking into the box.

It can also be used at home among family members, especially for those who are on extremely tight schedules or who has a parent who travels for business a lot.

I also saw this concept used with a Tibetan Bowl, (pictured at right) and have used this technique as well.  Use this in the same manner as the box only with the bowl let each child hold the bowl as shown, and as they wish, strike the bowl to make it ring, sending "good vibrations" to the birthday child. (This has come to be known as the "Birthday Bowl" and the kids ask for it when they know a classmate's birthday is coming!)

*What are some ways that you make your students feel valued and special?

*What are some ways you encourage positive reinforcement among peers, especially those who don't get along?


We would love to hear your ideas! Please leave a comment below!
 
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