ECO – CREATIVE JEWELLERY

 

We really enjoyed this last term using non conventional materials for jewellery like seeds, wood, threads, shells …

We did it eco friendly at same time we developed creativity !

Even if we can use some basic macrame for some creations more than a technique we look here to create a space for experimentation and creation of original and beautiful objects.

Knot - bead – braid …

During this term we will be also cutting, perforating and painting wood and other materials for our jewellery … And if time allows we will be creating some accessories …

Mindfulheads - Mindfulness for kids and teens

The aims of these sessions are:

- Develop self awareness and self care.

- Promote wellbeing.

- Help to manage and reduce stress and anxiety.

- Create mindfulness practices to use throughout the school and homework time.

- Learn healthy habits.

- Improve communication.

- Deepen relationships with relatives and classmates.

The sessions can include:

- Activities / games to focus the mind.

- Singing.

- Stretching and exercising.

- Art and Crafts.

- Journaling.

- Breathing and relaxation exercises.

After a good break we are starting classes this week!!!

If the schedule don't fit your needs please let me know … new classes can be on the way …

Do not hesitate to contact me for further information.

Isabel Parra

www.mariaisabelparra.com

www.mariaisabelparra.blogspot.com

When practice make the difference !

I wanted to share a little, beautiful and meaningful experience I had with J's mum few days ago by phone.

J is 5 years old and has been for almost one year in our Art & Mindfulness class.

Mum: Tell you something very encouraging. On J’s first day of school, once he woke up we asked him getting himself ready, guess what he did?

Me: What ????

Mum: He did some mindfulness breathing exercises, he said because he is a little bit nervous

And yes, this is really encouraging … thanks J and thanks mum for sharing !!!

Short breaks & Movement

Very often we do not respect the needs and the study/learning rhythm of our kids. 

As parents and teachers we use to ask kids to do a quantity of tasks that sometimes they are not able to do in our “adult rhythm”. Also it happens the kids don't have a little time for themselves within one activity and another one.

Naturally kids move. Working outdoor or on the floor – under a framework, allow certain freedom to move. Mobility that kids generally don't have at school. 

Move, stretch and make pauses are needed for a better concentration and better efficacy at school/work.  That's why we do small breaks (sometimes just one or two minutes) during our art-mindfulness class. During those breaks we can do some mindful breathing, stretching or a quick physical pose that allow us to calm down, to relax or just to focus our minds ...And it happens to focus our minds just listening the birds, feeling the air on the skin ... just so calming !

When we move our body, we can relax our minds … ! 

Just try it ! i

Gaining on concentration but also in Harmony and Friendship

In previous classes we have been building towers with different objects, the highest the best. We use one hand or the other, individually or in groups. This with the aim of :

• gaining on concentration,

  but also:

• practicing breathing to control the body actions,

• encouraging solidarity and teamwork

• encouraging harmony and friendship.

It has been very fun because we can see different reactions, most are solidarity and motivation, but sometimes some are not happy to see others doing “better”, however once you explain that it is not a competition but a matter of care and solidarity things change and egoism or egocentrism attitudes  change for support, harmony, teamwork … So maybe we can be better individuals when we are supportive to others ? I think yes …

Art with Mindfulness

ART WEEK - At French Int. School HK

It was a pleasure to be invited to participate in the ART WEEK in the French International School in May. 

During a month and five happy primary classes, we were able to develop some interesting art projects full of mindfulness, thus we practiced some techniques to focus the mind and reduce stress levels.

We built and assemble natural objects, we painted, we printed and we transformed school chairs in artworks. 

Chairs in progress ...

We built and assemble natural objects, we painted, we printed and we transformed school chairs in artworks. 

Teachers and students worked hard and result was an exhibition full of meaningful artworks filled of interesting reflections. 

Exhibition at Agora 

We built nets and nests to catch good energies, dreams and strengths.

Every artwork was charged with an feeling, a dream, an emotion, an environment reflection or a positive message.