Regulating our emotions can be the difference between cultivating healing or causing harm. In this timely lesson, science educator, Jackie Macy, guides us through creating mindfulness glitter jars. A mindfulness glitter jar is a tool that can help us regulate our minds & bodies and bring a sense of calm when we experience difficulties.
Glitter Jars, also known as Calming Jars, are designed to soothe and relax a person who is feeling stressed out. When words are unavailable, it helps to find other ways to demonstrate the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. A glitter jar provides a visual metaphor that illustrates how mindfulness (the cultivation of stillness in the face of swirling chaos of life) affects us. Like glitter moving crazily through water in a jar, emotions can make us feel all shook up inside. And when this happens, you can utilize the glitter jar by shaking it. As you stare at the glitter moving through the jar, make sure to breathe in and breathe out. The glitter will begin to settle and calm down in the water just as your emotions will begin to do the same. Allowing yourself to take a beat can help refocus and refresh an overwhelmed mind. Check out Esme & Roy, by Sesame Street Workshop, that shows how a glitter jar can be used as a mindfulness practice.
What are your tools to get you through life’s difficult experiences?
Regulating emotions is for everyone! Gather your materials and let’s get to making! To make your own Mindfulness Glitter Jar, you will need:
- A clear jar or plastic bottle
- Warm water
- Clear glue, glitter clue
- Oil
- Food Coloring
- Glitter!
- Funnel
- Tools: Pens, Pencils, Markers, Paper
Looking for additional inspiration? Check out these ideas:
- Check out 6 different ways to make a Mindfulness Glitter Jar here
- Learn more about the science topics we covered (density, viscosity, and buoyancy) over at Kiddle.
We want to see your projects! After the livestream, we encourage you to post your creation on Twitter or Instagram. Tag us @MakerEdOrg with #MakerEdAtHome and #mindfulnessglitterjar
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