Last week was Right to Read Week at Bataan Memorial Intermediate School, and I had the honor and privilege of being invited to share my children’s book, Unthink Before Bed: A Children’s Book on Mindfulness.
First of all, the students were absolutely amazing! Over 300 students gathered in the cafeteria for my presentation which included my start as a reader, writer and illustrator, then transitioned into a read aloud of my book, then a live speed drawing of characters from the book set to music, and ended with a question and answer with me any my co-author, Jedi. Jedi is my dog and a character in the book. Everyone was so well behaved and mannerly. Each listened actively as I read the book aloud to them and shared images of the pages on the computer screen. They loved the speed drawing. The question and answer was a lot of fun, but Jedi stole the show when he came out at the end. Every student petted him as they left. Again, these kids were so polite and well mannered. What a great audience. I love Bataan School.
Contact me if you’d like Jedi and I to visit your school.
The Presentation included:
- My love of reading, writing and drawing.
- The most influential books in my childhood.
- How I made the book.
- A read aloud of Unthink Before Bed.
- A speed drawing I created to music using my iPad projected on the screen set to music. (Kids loved it!)
- Question and Answer time.
- Everyone met my dog, Jedi, a character in the book.
- Everyone pet the dog as they left. (Almost everyone.)
I encouraged the students to use devices to create not just to consume. I also shared a highlight from the book that devices have bedtimes! Devices are great, but they are often only used for consumption and limits are not placed on them. I like to show people what they can really do with a device creatively.
Unthink Before Bed teaches some great Social Emotional lessons. Imagine reading a book to your child that is fun and entertaining, AND helps them learn great coping skills they will need the rest of their life.
There were ten social emotional lessons in the book that I reviewed with students to help them cope with anxiety and stress:
- Create a routine.
- Put on pajamas.
- Devices have bedtimes.
- Store devices in another room.
- Practice long, slow breathing with eyes closed.
- Picture your surroundings and your body.
- Use all of your senses to picture nature.
- Think ‘just one thing; and the eventually ‘nothing.’
- Give thanks.
- Know you are loved and that tomorrow will be great.
I think Unthink Before Bed is a great book and hope you do too. You can order your copy here.
~Kelly
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Educator, Author, Keynote Speaker
Twitter: @kellycroy
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Website: kellycroy.com and wirededucator.com
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I’ve written two books, Along Came a Leader a book on personal and professional leadership, and Unthink Before Bed: A Children’s Book on Mindfulness .
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