Recently, I was given the opportunity to lead a half hour class meeting in a Second Grade classroom. The topic chosen by the teacher who invited me to lead was “making others feel loved.” It was the perfect time to bring out a short activity I’ve been developing for K-2 students on self-compassion. I believe that influencing how others feel has everything to do with an ability to believe in my own self-worth. It’s so important to model and teach this philosophy to our children. Keep reading to learn a fun way to build heart-centered connections with young learners.

Art Activity sample I use to inspire students when we practice feeling Heart Centered together.

This practice is called “Listening With My Heart” and it’s based on the book by Gabi Garcia. The book is a delightful story about a character named Esperanza who learns how to develop self-compassion through friendship. This practice ends up being her most powerful tool for spreading kindness and empathy into the world.

Insight Timer’s Quote of the Day, Saturday, September 30th, 2023.

Goldie’s representation of what it means to listen with your heart from her Kindergarten year. The heart is filled with jewels.

In the activity, we read the book together and have a group discussion about what listening with the heart might mean. Then, we talk about how that type of listening is a practice that. starts with our self-talk and radiates out. As we feel the heart coherence growing within us, it harmonizes with those around us. Students then give examples of the sensations they experience when these types of connections are made within selves and communities. As they share, they begin to realize that if we believe that we are worthy and our self-talk reflects our beliefs, then we enable ourselves to be caring to others. After the group sharing, students engage with an art activity that communicates how it feels to nurture their friends as they practice self-kindness.

I am beginning to archive my heart-centered art activities on my Patreon site. Please consider becoming an Edymade Patreon Subscriber. Together, we can build a more heart-centered community and enact change for the better. Thank you for your presence.