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1-2-3 Brain Break: Breathing in Calm

Posted on April 12, 2021 by Drew Gaede in Book Recommendations, Library Blog, Library Programs

Brain Breaks are short activities, often only 1-3 minutes long, that help kids get ready to learn or refocus on the task at hand. They often involve physical activity and movement though relaxing activities can also boost mental brain power. So, in addition to encouraging your kids to participate in these fun breaks, join the kiddos and have some refreshing, stress-free fun yourself, too!

Breathing in Calm

Sometimes our days get so busy! This can make us frustrated, emotional, anxious… or even just feeling overwhelmed without a lot of breaks. We are going to learn some breathing exercises – these are a great way to take a quick pause for a moment of calm and relaxation before you get back to classes and errands and other activities.… a nice break to re-center yourself.

For the following exercises, it is best to breathe through your nose with your mouth closed. This might be hard with spring and all the seasonal allergies that come with it, so just do your best.

The Exercises

Starfish Breathing

You will need:

  • A comfortable place to sit
  • Your hands

Hold out one of your hands in front of you, and place the tip of a finger from your other hand on your wrist at the base of your thumb. Starting with an inhale, trace your finger up to the top of the thumb. Now switch to exhaling and trace down the other side of the thumb toward the fingers. You will continue like this, inhaling as you trace up and exhaling as you trace down until you have traced your entire hand and landed back on the wrist on the opposite (pinky) side from where you started.

Triangle Breathing

You will need:

  • A comfortable place to sit
  • Your hands
  • The ability to count to 3

Sitting up straight, using a finger or your entire hand (or your favorite toy dinosaur/car/wand) you are going to “draw” a triangle in the air. Starting at a bottom imagined corner, inhale as you count to 3, “drawing” to the top point of the triangle. Now hold your breath for a count of 3 while tracing down the other side, and then exhale for a count of three going across the bottom back to where you started.

Advanced option: Box Breathing – like the triangle but with counting to 4 and having an additional “side” – you will hold after the inhale and after the exhale.

Draw Breath with Spirals

You will need:

  • A comfortable place to sit
  • Something to draw with/on (crayons and paper, fingers and sand, chalk and sidewalks/blackboards, etc.)

Start with a dot in the middle, and sloawly spiral out like a shell, adding layers and getting bigger each round. As you do this, inhale when you are drawing “up” from the bottom center of the spiral to the top center of the spiral, and exhale as you draw back down to the bottom. Since the nature of the spiral is that it continues to get bigger, your breaths will start out short and progressively get longer. Do as many rings, spirals as you want.

Practice Slow Steady Breathing with a Stuffed Animal

You will need:

  • A comfortable place to lie down
  • A favorite stuffed animal or toy

Lying down on the ground, place the stuffed animal on your stomach. Focus on the stuffed animal and watch as you take a deep breath into your belly – you will see your furry friend lift up, up, up! Then do a long full exhale and watch them sink back down. Do several cycles, seeing them rise and sink with your breaths.

Activity Extensions:

-Have more time, and want to get moving? Breathing and yoga go hand in hand! Do a couple poses or a whole sequence, focusing on your breath while you are at it.

-Do you have bubbles at home? Blowing bubbles is a great way to work on soft, long, steady exhales!

-Flowers will be coming up soon – spend some time outdoors, pick or sit next to some flowers, and take long deep breaths in through your nose, focusing on the smell – try different kinds of flowers and see what differences you notice.

-Don’t be limited to drawing spirals! They are an easy way to start, but you can also create mazes, infinity loops, lie on your back and trace clouds in the sky… the options are endless!

“The Why” behind the Activity:

Deep breathing has a physical effect on our bodies to help calm and lower stress. Kids especially can have big emotions that they don’t know how to deal with yet. Mindful breathing techniques can help children (and teens and adults) build social and emotional skills, and learn to deal with upsets and frustrations in safe ways. Playing with these now means you can find what works and what doesn’t, and then maybe have some skills in mind for the next time some calm is needed.

Check out these books !

Deep Breaths by Carol Thompson

A Feel Better Book for Little Worriers by Holly Brochmann and Leah Bowen; Illustrated by Shirley Ng-Benitez

I Am the Jungle: a Yoga Adventure by Melissa Hurt; illustrated by Katy Tanis

Catching Thoughts by Bonnie Clark; illustrated by Summer Macon

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Ray Cruz


book list, brain break, healthy, kids and family, mindfulness No Comments Read More

Watch this: 2021 BAFTA Awards

Posted on April 8, 2021 by Audrey Glasebrook in Library Blog

The 64th annual BAFTA Awards honoring the best British and International contributions to film will be handed out in London on Sunday, April 11. Presented by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, think of the BAFTAs as the British equivalent of the Oscars! 

For a full list of this year’s nominations, visit the official website of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.

And now, we present some of the 2021 BAFTA nominated titles available through Poudre Libraries, as well as some related titles for your viewing pleasure!

The Father  

Best Film, Outstanding British Film, Best Editing, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Production Design

Anthony Hopkins is nominated for Lead Actor for his role in The Father. Anthony Hopkins has won several BAFTA awards throughout his career including Lead Actor in 1994 for Remains of the Day

Olivia Colman stars in The Father and was awarded a Leading Actress BAFTA in 2019 for The Favourite.

The Mauritanian

Best Film, Best British Film, Best Actor, Best Cinematography, and Best Adapted Screenplay

Minari

Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Film Music, Foreign Language Film, Best Direction and Best Casting

Promising Young Woman

Best Film, Best British Film, Best Editing, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Casting

Promising Young Woman is also nominated for Best Film Music. The movie soundtrack is available for download through hoopla: Promising Young Woman soundtrack

 Emma

Best Costume Design 

2021 nominee for the Rising Star BAFTA, Kingsly Ben-Adir, has starred in several seasons of the BBC crime drama Vera. 

You may notice that some of these films are so new, we are still waiting for them to arrive in our collection! While you are waiting in the hold queue for The Father, Minari, and the Mauritanian, check out these 2020 BAFTA winning titles:

1917 

Parasite

Jo-Jo Rabbit

Happy viewing!

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1-2-3 Brain Break: Slow Food, Yummy Snack

Posted on April 5, 2021 by Library Staff in Book Recommendations, Library Blog, Library Programs

Brain Breaks are short activities, often only 1-3 minutes long, that help kids get ready to learn or refocus on the task at hand. They often involve physical activity and movement though relaxing activities can also boost mental brain power. So, in addition to encouraging your kids to participate in these fun breaks, join the kiddos and have some refreshing, stress-free fun yourself, too!

Supplies Needed:  

A variety of small snacks like carrot sticks; celery; sticks; apple slices; applesauce; blueberries; crackers; yogurt; dried fruit- like raisins or mangos; orange slices; hummus; cheese; etc.  

Here’s What We Do:  

Snack time!  

Let’s start by washing our hands so we are ready to eat our snacks.  

  • Sit with your snacks in front of you and take 3 long breaths in and out, not touching your food.  
  • Say the name of each food. Then name the color of each food.  
  • Pick each snack up and smell it. What does it smell like?  
  • Now take a bite! As you chew, name three things about that bite. Is it salty? Is it sweet? Is it crunchy? Is it soft? Is it yummy?  
  • See if you can chew just one bite of your snack for 20 seconds. Have an adult or sibling or friend count for you., or count silently in your head.  
  • After you have had enough or you have finished, close your eyes, take 3 long breaths in and out and say out loud the kinds of food you just ate. What was your favorite? What smelled the best? Which one was your favorite color? 

Mindful Eating For Kids | Nutrition (video)

Activity extensions:  

For the little ones: Before eating, let kids arrange their food into groups based on color, texture, or taste.  

For the older kids: Before eating, let kids arrange their snacks into a mandala or pattern, or have them arrange in alphabetical order- apples, carrots, celery, raisins, etc. See if they can make any animals or faces with their food. 

The “Why” behind the challenge: 

Sometimes our brains need a break from learning and sitting still, and food and water help us refocus. Having a snack is great way to give your mind a break, while also giving it the fuel it needs to continue with learning and having fun. Adding a few extra minutes for your snack break to eat mindfully not only helps your body digest the food better so you get more energy from it, it also makes it taste better! Eating slowly gives your body more time to recognize when its full and gives you more time to relax and connect with the people around you.  

Check out these “yummy” books: 

Food Faces by Deanna F. Cook 

Carrots Like Peas : and Other Fun Facts by Hannah Eliot 

Artful Snacks  by Marilyn LaPenta 


book list, brain break, Food, healthy, kids and family No Comments Read More

Building a Healthier Community

Posted on April 1, 2021 by Katie Auman in Library Blog, Library Services

World Health Day is celebrated annually on April 7 to mark the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO) and to draw attention to a specific health topic of concern to people all over the world.

This year, World Health Day focuses on “building a fairer, healthier world.”

As COVID-19 has highlighted, some people are able to live healthier lives and have better access to health services than others – entirely due to the conditions in which they are born, grow, live, work, and age. Even as we’re cheering the roll out of vaccines, there are still many health issues that people struggle with due to the pandemic.

One of the ways that Poudre River Public Library District is contributing to a healthier world is by focusing on our community and the ways in which we can create a positive impact through our collection, partnerships, and services.

Here are a few Resources and Partnerships to use on your quest for better health and wellbeing.

Health & Medicine eResources Spotlight*

The Library’s eResources include a variety of databases and research tools for health and medicine. Among these online tools is Consumer Health Complete, a comprehensive resource designed to support patients’ information needs and foster an understanding of health-related topics.

Another resource, MedlinePlus, is available in English and Spanish and provides information about diseases, health conditions, and wellness issues in every-day language. Learn about the latest treatments, look up information on a drug or supplement, find out meaning of medical terms, and access the latest research and clinical trials.

The Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection is another comprehensive database with information concerning topics in emotional and behavioral characteristics, psychiatry and psychology, mental health, and more.

All of these eResources and many others are available through our website, PoudreLibraries.org/research.

*Information provided in these databases should not be viewed as a means for self-diagnosis or a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Our Chromebooks and MiFi Hotspots available for checkout provide access to the above eResources and much more. For example, COVID-19 vaccines are mostly scheduled online, so these technology tools are especially crucial for staying healthy during the pandemic.

Health Partnerships Spotlight

The Poudre Libraries partner with community organizations to help improve access to a healthy lifestyle.

We promote access to Summitstone Health’s weekly virtual social hour, where folks can find relief from the stress and isolation of the pandemic.

Experts from the Health District of Larimer County lead our monthly Book Club for Mortals, which focuses on end-of-life themes in an honest and positive way.

We work with the Food Bank of Larimer County to provide help with applying for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits on a weekly basis.


community partnership, eResources, health and wellness, health literacy, healthy, research No Comments Read More

1-2-3 Brain Break: Minute to Win It

Posted on March 29, 2021 by Jennifer Zachman in Book Recommendations, Library Blog, Library Programs

Brain Breaks are short activities, often only 1-3 minutes long, that help kids get ready to learn or refocus on the task at hand. They often involve physical activity and movement though relaxing activities can also boost mental brain power. So, in addition to encouraging your kids to participate in these fun breaks, join the kiddos and have some refreshing, stress-free fun yourself, too!

MINUTE TO WIN IT

You may have seen the game show Minute to Win It, but did you know you can play it at home? Each Minute to Win It is just that – one minute long. That makes it perfect for a Brain Break!

For the following challenges, attempt to complete the challenge using common household objects in 60 seconds or less.

THE CHALLENGES

Block Stack

You will need:

  • 5 blocks or 5 dice
  • 1 paper plate

Have child balance a plate on his/her head and try to stack five blocks or dice on top of the plate.

Breakfast Scramble

You will need:

  • 1 empty cereal box
  • Scissors

Cut the front of one cereal box into 16 pieces and scramble them. Have child try to put the box covers back together like a jigsaw puzzle.

Cotton Ball Scoop

You will need:

  • Cotton balls
  • Bowl
  • Bandana or scarf for blindfold
  • Spoon

Set an empty bowl on the table and sprinkle small cotton balls around the ball. Blindfold the individual and hand him/her a spoon. Give your child one minute to scoop as many cotton balls into the bowl as possible before time is up.

Activity Extensions:

Repeat a favorite challenge. Can your child beat his or her previous time record?

Shake up your breaks by trying a different challenge during each daily break.

Search online for hundreds of Minute to Win It ideas. Find some that would appeal directly to your child’s interests.

Let your child choose a Minute to Win It game to try.

Ask your child to create a Minute to Win It game.

“The Why” behind the Activity:

These short challenges are packed with a punch. In a minute or less, your child builds self-esteem, develops creative and quick-thinking skills, and boosts attention and motivation to learn. Additionally, the challenges can help reinvigorate your child’s energy, reduce anxiety and burnout, and is offers a joyful, unique, and just plain fun experience. Do it with your child and you’ll reap the benefits too!

Check out these books for more fun and games for kids:

101 Music Games for Children: Fun and Learning with Rhythms and Songs by Jerry Storms; translated by Anne Griffiths

String Games by Richard Darsie

Boredom Buster: Games for the Road by Nicola Baxter

Crazy Eights and Other Card Games by Joanna Cole and Stephanie Calmenson


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Recent Posts

  • 1-2-3 Brain Break: Breathing in Calm

    April 12, 2021
  • Watch this: 2021 BAFTA Awards

    April 8, 2021
  • 1-2-3 Brain Break: Slow Food, Yummy Snack

    April 5, 2021
  • Building a Healthier Community

    April 1, 2021

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Including the collection of Front Range Community College, Larimer Campus