Kids Yoga Listening Game and Giveaway

Listening is an art form which does not come naturally to most of us if we are honest and is something we have to continuously practice.  This next activity has turned out to be one of my student’s favourite games here in Australia and apparently has also been gaining increasing popularity around the globe.  It is adapted from a traditional Indian game called ‘Watch the Cat’ taken from ‘Yoga Education’ a book from Swami Satyananda of the Bihar School of Yoga.  I have made this into a story telling game where the teacher creates the short story whilst the children are lying like sleeping cats relaxing on their sides.  

How to facilitate
Explain to the students they are listening to the adventure of a cat who has a best friend who is a mouse.  Each time they hear the word ‘Mouse’ they have to spring onto their hands and knees and ‘meow’ like a cat! Afterwards they immediately return to being sleeping cats again and have to carry on listening mindfully as the story continues.

Here is the story of cat and mouse to share with your children at home or students in class
‘My name is Zapper the cat and I’m a ginger tomboy, well actually I am a little bit brown as well if I am honest. Today is my best friend’s birthday party, he is turning 4 years old and I am super excited.  By the way did I tell you he’s a cockroach no don’t be silly he’s a mouse! (everyone springs onto all fours and meows like a cat and you say – great listening guys now go back to sleep.

At the moment I am trying to think of what to buy him for his birthday this year.  Well I was thinking of a back pack as he loves to go on day trips or even perhaps a sketchbook as he is such a fantastic artist and loves to draw.  Umm it is tricky but then I spotted a really fun hat that is perfect for his day’s out…..umm which one to buy…maybe the parrot….or the giraffe was super fun with the long neck but then I decided on the mouse! (great listening everyone back to sleeping cats again)

The next thing I have to decide on is what snack to take to the party as it’s bring a plate.  First I thought maybe some crackers, then I saw some chocolate ants, but what about fried grasshoppers, so many choices…then I found the perfect thing to take lumps of cheese in the shape of a mouse…(you guys have been such fantastic listeners today, great job everyone and now we are going to lay down for relaxation)

Benefits:
This game cultivates listening and teaches children how it feels to relax and then be vigilant as they spring to action. It can offer a great transition into relaxation and even better continue the relaxation further by adding colour to a picture of Zapper and Mouse by downloading your free colouring sheet here. Colouring in increases self-expression, colour recognition, focus, calm and builds fine motor skills.

The storytelling and free download of our accompanying colouring page of 'Zapper the Cat and Mouse' is here.

And more FREE DOWNLOADS of Creative Yogis kids yoga colouring pages are here.

Enjoy ☺.

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