Music, movement and mindfulness for kids

VERNON — Cedar Mountain Primary School in Vernon celebrated the Week of Respect last week with students taking part in week long activities that honored the uniqueness of each other. The week’s culminating event was a concert by Kira Willey, a yoga instructor who combines music, movement and mindfulness.
“Yoga is a mindful practice. It helps to regulate breath and ultimately regulates the body as well and being kid friendly while assisting with calmness, focus and relaxation,” explained Willey.
Kindergarten and first grade students, Principal Rosemary Gebhardt, teachers and staff dressed up in rainbow colors and were totally involved in the movement concert as Willey and Leo her guitar accompanist commanded the school’s gym, with kinetic songs like “Breathe Like a Bear,” “How to be a Cloud” and “Dance for the Sun.”
Willey related perfectly with the large group of five and six- year -olds. “Let’s go on a trip,” she shouted. Children called out various locations- Hawaii, the jungle, underwater. Willey took the youngsters on a movement, imaginary train ride, with an over 100 child train chugging around the school’s gym. Another activity was a pretend roller coaster ride with Willey singing “Roller Coaster Baby.” She attempted to teach youngsters a bizarre tongue twister with the letter B. She zipped through the twister and one student shouted out “We don’t know that.” Adults erupted in laughter.
Music, laughter, fun and mindfulness ruled the day at Cedar Mountain School.