I’m so excited that I started 2020 with Gabrielle Bernstein’s 21 Day Manifesting Challenge! I feel more focused, more open to new opportunities, and more confident in my mission to inspire others in embracing daily mindfulness and positive vibes!

Sometimes you need to take a deep breath, or two, or three and reflect on where you are and where you want to be. I frequently get caught up in all the daily to-do’s of product development, social media, and trying to maintain a website that I forget to practice the very mindfulness I try to instill in others.

Gabby Bernstein: Inspirational Author and Spirituality Guru

Back to the Mindful Basics:

The thing is being mindful isn’t hard. Sometimes we just get lazy or need new inspiration or life gets in the way or whatever. It’s okay to need reminders. It’s okay to need new inspiration. Be Kind to Yourself. Every little thing is going to be alright! Here’s how I’m kicking off the new year with positive vibes.

Positive Change is a result of your Mindset

Embrace positivity by creating an awareness of opportunity, live in the moment by finding your Zing, and make the most of your days…and years!

Be Mindful, Live with Intention, Spread Positive Vibes!

We created these fun Valentine’s Day Cards for your child to pass out at school.

Quick and easy to put together and kids love to pop the bubbles.

Download our free You Make My Heart Pop Valentine’s Day Cards.

Focus and Calm

The Mindful Labyrinths activity is designed to help students take a little breather and reduce stress. The labyrinths (mazes) are often effective for helping kids relax and focus. They work great in calm down areas and before tests to help reduce test anxiety.

Comes in 2 Different Sizes

Includes 10 Different Labyrinths on watercolor backgrounds. Each labyrinth comes in two different sizes, as a full sheet and 4″ x 4″ card (four cards to a page).

You may also consider Mindful Hearts

My Daily Mindfulness Routine

If you’re looking for a Daily Mindfulness Routine, check out this blog post on my process for starting and ending each day with focus and intention.

Make Giving Thanks a Game!

There are several fun ways to make your family dinner conversations even more meaningful, more fun and more interactive during this month of Gratitude and Giving Thanks. Conversation Starters, Gratitude Prompts, or a Game of Gratitude are all good ways to mix in the fun over the next few weeks.

The Gratitude Game

The Gratitude Game includes over 70 different prompts encouraging children to focus on everything they are grateful for in their lives. Simply cut out the cards and place them in a jar or around the table. Then everyone can take turns choosing a card and sharing the first thing they think of that they are grateful for related to that prompt.

Thanksgiving Conversation Starters & Writing Prompts

Thanksgiving Conversation Starters are an easy way to get even the shyest kids (or adults) to open up! By asking fun, open-ended questions your whole family can enjoy real quality time and conversation while reflecting on what’s most important in your lives. Science says that gratitude increases positive emotions and personal connections which in turn increases our energy, enthusiasm, and our ability to learn, be creative and solve problems.

Ideas:

• Ask a couple questions each night throughout the month.
• Place a card at each seat for Thanksgiving dinner.
• After reflecting on what you’re thankful for today, use our Life List activity to determine what activities you want to do in the future that would make you even more thankful and gracious.

Gratitude Leaves

Gratitude Leaves is a fun writing activity encouraging children to focus on everything they are grateful for and provides a simple way for them to reflect and articulate kindness and appreciation. It makes a great FREE gift for helping to celebrate Thanksgiving.

You can download the Gratitude Game, FREE Gratitude Leaves, and the Thanksgiving Conversation Starters and Writing Prompts at our Teachers Pay Teachers store here.

Gratitude helps you to grow and expand; gratitude brings joy and laughter into your life and into the lives of all those around you. – Eileen Caddy

Kindness Leaves

You might also enjoy our Gratitude-themed Journal Prompts and Thanksgiving Think Book which can be purchased from my Teachers Pay Teachers store. Visit our shop and you will also find a wide variety of games and activities that promote gratitude, optimism, reflection and curiosity – all the wonderful things kids need to learn what motivates them, how to empathize with others, and reach their potential.

For more great Thanksgiving ideas follow our Thanksgiving Pinterest board and find us on Facebook

Happy Thanksgiving!

Do you ever feel like you let good opportunities pass by or that you should have pursued a long forgotten childhood dream?

No matter your age it is never too late to follow your passions!

Create a Life List / Bucket List with our Free Guide!

Creating a life or bucket list isn’t just a cliche thing to do; it’s a great way to recharge and motivate yourself, to help you tap into your creative self and dream big, to give you the courage to try new things, and to live with no regrets. Best of all it’s a great activity for the whole family!

Benefits for kids:

• creativity from projecting into the future
• gives an archival of their interests
• helps them articulate their ideas
• increases optimism and motivation

Benefits for parents:

• learn more about your child’s interests
• gives you the opportunity to be creative and think like a kid again
• helps you set priorities

Reminders:

• stay positive – there are no bad or unrealistic ideas!
• make it fun – no idea is too crazy!
• listen – use the activity to learn more about your child and their interests!
• encourage your child to set goals
• help motivate them by asking open-ended questions about how they may achieve some of their ideas

What the Life List / Family Bucket List Activity Includes:

A Kid Life List activity, A Parent Life List Activity, and a Family Life List Activity.  Each set includes a worksheet and a brainstorming guide with prompts and questions to help you come up with your life list.

It’s Free!

You can download the free Life List Activity from my Teachers Pay Teachers Store.

For more creative family activities and ideas, follow us on Pinterest and Facebook.  You will also get updates on new free printables and products offered by Thinking Zing.

Enjoy Life & Have fun!

About School Questions

Suggestions for use:

• Don’t interrupt, let them expand as much as possible
• Respond with “hmmm…” and “I see…” to encourage reflection
• Parents answer “I remember when…” or “when I was your age…” — reminds children you were once a kid also
• Listen for red flags in your children’s answers that you can discuss in more detail later.
• Take turns reading questions to encourage active participation
• If appropriate use expansion questions like why? Do you feel? Do you think? How does that compare to?

Free Conversation Starters

More Resources

For more ideas and resources for improving family communication follow us on Pinterest and Facebook.

Have a great school year!

Includes:
• 120 different card designs with the themes of affirmations, compliments and inspirational messages.
• 20 mini-note cards with prompts for students to write their own messages.

The Teacher Appreciation Kindness Cards may be purchased at our Teachers Pay Teachers or Etsy store.

All About the Teacher Book From the Students Perspective

How to Make it:

Sample questions:

• What is the silliest or funniest thing Mrs. Smith has said this year?  Done this year?
• What is your favorite memory of Mrs. Smith’s class?
• 
How would you describe Mrs. Smith? or What one word would you use to describe Mrs. Smith?
• Why do you think Mrs. Smith became a teacher?  or Why do you think Mrs. Smith is a teacher?
• What is the kindest thing Mrs. Smith has said or done for you this year?
• What is your favorite Mrs. Smith saying?  (Ex. does your child repeat or quote Mrs. Smith at home)
• What do you think Mrs. Smith does all summer?  or on weekends?
• What character trait would you use to describe Mrs. Smith?
• What makes Mrs. Smith a great teacher?
• What is your favorite part of the day in Mrs. Smith’s class?
• Where would you send Mrs. Smith on a vacation? or Where do you think Mrs. Smith would like to go on vacation?
• What movie or TV character does Mrs.Smith remind you of?
• 
What is your favorite thing Mrs. Smith has taught you this year?
• Favorite activity/project/field trip?
• What do you think Mrs. Smith was like when she was in kindergarten?
• What do you think is the easiest part of Mrs. Smith’s job?
• What do you think is the hardest part of Mrs. Smith’s job?
• What color reminds you of Mrs. Smith?
• What animal reminds you of Mrs. Smith?
• Story/Parent comments:  a quick fun note or story your child has come home one day and told you or a short thank you.

Page Titles for the book:

• Silliest or Funniest Thing Mrs. Smith Did This Year
• Who is Mrs. Smith
• Kindness
• Favorite Memory of the School Year
• Why Did Mrs. Smith become a Teacher
• Mrs. Smith always Says
• Mrs. Smith’s Summers and Weekends
• Mrs. Smith’s a Great Teacher Because
• Favorite Part of the School Day
• Mrs. Smith’s Vacation Destinations
• Mrs. Smith Reminds Me of…
• Mrs. Smith’s Colors
• Mrs. Smith in “Kindergarten”
• Easiest Part of Mrs. Smith’s Job
• Hardest Part of Mrs. Smith’s Job
• If Mrs. Smith Were an Animal
• Words of Appreciation

Handprint Class Garden

Teacher Alphabet Poem

4) Surprise Garden

How to Make a surprise garden:

More Ideas

Follow us on Pinterest for ideas for enriching your child’s education.

Be Creative, Have Fun & Show Your Teachers How Much You Appreciate Them!

Yes, winter can be fun…with an upside down snowman!

More Ideas

Have a fun and creative winter!

Inspirational stones have the ability to inspire, brighten your day and enact change.

Think Stones combine positive messages with the therapeutic benefits of river rocks.

Ideas for Using Inspirational Stones:

• Place your Think Stones in a bowl or on a tray on the coffee table.
• Place a Think Stone at each family member’s place setting for breakfast or dinner.
• Place them around the yard, garden or in planters.
• Place them around the house for family members to find randomly.
• Take them to work and share in a meeting room or in a bowl on your desk.
• Place a few in a pretty bag and give as a gift.
• Place one in your child’s lunchbox or backpack.  They make great worry stones.

Supplies:

River rocks can be purchased here at Amazon or at your local craft store.

Be Creative, Be Inspired and most importantly….Have Fun!