Focusing on One Thing

What You Need:

• Right Now I... worksheet
• "Environmental Sounds - Outside Sounds" video (YouTube)
• Markers or crayons
• String
• Hole puncher

What You Do:

1. Ask your child, "What is happening right now?" Have them share the sounds they hear, scents they smell, and sights they see.
2. Tell them that you will play different sounds, and they will guess what each sound is.
3. Play the "Environmental Sounds - Outside Sounds" video, and pause after each sound to ask your child what they hear.
4. Play the video again, review your child's responses, and tell them the correct answer if they were incorrect (see below).
   1. Plane
   2. Birds
   3. Boat
   4. Horn
   5. Bus
   6. Grasshopper
   7. Helicopter
   8. Pool
   9. Lawnmower
   10. Police car
   11. Train
   12. Playground
   13. Chimes
   14. Dog or puppy
5. Ask, "Why is it important to focus on what is happening now? Why should we pay attention to the sounds around us, or the things we see and feel?"
6. Build upon your child's answers and explain, "When we focus on what's happening in the present moment, it helps us build our focus and attention. It can also help us feel more calm."
7. Tell your child that every time they focus on one thing, this strengthens their ability to focus.
8. Ask your child what their senses are. After they respond, share the five senses: seeing, hearing, touching, tasting, and smelling.
9. Explain that in any moment, we can focus on one of these senses.
10. Show your child the Right Now I... worksheet, in which they will draw what they hear, see, taste, touch, and smell in each shape.
11. Review the worksheet's instructions, and ask your child if they have any questions.
12. Guide your child to complete the worksheet activity.