SnackTales: Recent Episodes
Deborah Swan
SnackTales weekly episodes will share a bite-size story. Folktales featuring colorful characters will help children to build their social and emotional skills. Snack conversations along with activities, will them realize that we share a lot of the same experiences. During these challenging times, it’s good to remember what’s really important and the people that are making a difference.
Sometimes we need to pause and get in touch with our feelings. Becoming aware of our feelings and naming them reduces their power over us. Let’s try naming our feelings without fear of judgment. Thoughts and feelings come and go through the day, it’s a part of being human.
Breathing Makes It Better: A Book for Sad Days, Mad Days, Glad Days, and All the Feelings In-Between. An engaging and interactive story showing children the power of breath when dealing with new and difficult emotions.
Sometimes life gets so busy we can’t hear ourselves think. Give yourself the gift of silence and stillness. Your inner voice will rise within you in the silence.
In tough situations, think “I can handle it,” and when you are dealing with tough emotions, think “I can handle it!” Even if you don’t say the words out loud, learn and practice this mantra, it will become a part of thinking positively.
Positive self-talk is incredibly important for improving and maintaining mental health, and the Mindful Mantra books are a way to plant that positivity right into a child’s head. Help your child learn to handle difficult emotions, along with Sebastien, and provide a tool for lifelong confidence.
Imagine your surrounded by a bubble of protection. A protective energy surrounds the bubble and keeps you safe. Visualize a light flowing through and around you. You are being recharged with the strength and energy to handle any situation.
I Can Do Hard Things introduces children to the practice of using mindful affirmations for support and encouragement when they need it. What kids tell themselves matters! It becomes their inner voice. It can help them connect with their power within. They learn to tap into their inner strength and resilience when challenges arise.
Dream Big, Little Leader features 18 trailblazing African-American women. These women succeeded in their goals, and opened doors for future generations. They made history and changed the world.
Have you ever had happy or joyful experiences that you wanted to lever end? Well those experiences and feelings live on in our memories. We can choose to merge those feelings into the present moment and carry it with us throughout our day!
This is an exercise that you can practice anywhere, anytime, or any place where you need a few moments. Being presenting with yourself to reset and catch your breath! Let’s try 10 long, deep breaths together.
This girl is determined to express herself! If she can't draw her dreams, she'll sculpt or build, carve or collage. If she can't do that, she'll turn her world into a canvas. And if everything around her is taken away, she'll sing, dance, and dream...
Ruby loves being Ruby. Until, one day, she finds a worry. At first it's not such a big worry, and that's all right, but then it starts to grow. It gets bigger and bigger every day and it makes Ruby sad. How can Ruby get rid of it and feel like herself again?
We all experience trials and tribulations. Whatever troubling situation you’re currently facing, show yourself a little kindness!
In the story, a child who is unsure about what to do with a new experience learns to cultivate courage, curiosity, and a willingness to try new experiences. Helps children develop a "growth mindset," which means to be open to new experiences and take risks rather than be limited to what is safe or familiar. The book also calls attention to times we let fears and what other people think get in our way of doing the right thing. What can we do to help others take their chance?
Being present in the moment allows us to see and hear things we might not have noticed otherwise. This intentional awareness allows us to grow in our appreciation of everyday events.
Just Ask, United States Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor celebrates the different abilities kids (and people of all ages) have. Feeling different, especially as a kid, can be tough. But in the same way that different types of plants and flowers make a garden more beautiful and enjoyable, different types of people make our world more vibrant and wonderful.
Sometimes we need to feel grounded. This easy mindful exercise will help you by focusing on the changing sounds, even the sound of silence.
Pausabilities encourage children to take a breath and be present and pay attention to their thoughts, feelings, sensations, and the world around them. A World of Pausabilities reminds children that everyone can be mindful and that there is no wrong way to take a pause.
Mindfulness is a skill and like any skill it gets better with practice. Try daily moments of mindfulness!
Discover a joyful reminder of the ways children are unique and special. This story reminds readers to "be your own work of art." To be patient, persistent, and true. Because there is one, and only one, YOU.
Happy New Year! As we begin anew, recall those special moments and cherished memories that have touched your heart. Perhaps new family traditions or rituals were created that you want to continue. A sense of gratitude for what was and what is to be! Wishing you a future full of hope!
Every culture has certain celebrations and traditions. Gita is from India and they celebrate the Festival of Lights! What will you celebrate during this holiday season. It might look a little different this year, but what’s cool about it is we can create new traditions, like Gita!
Use this mindful moments to connect with yourself and the world around you. Practicing mindful moments can help lower your stress level and focus your mind.
In this story, a young boy discovers his mind is like a puppy, always wandering away, into the past or the future. He sets about learning to train his puppy mind to heel to the present moment. Through remembering to breathe, the boy becomes a stronger and more caring master of his puppy mind, keeping it in the present, if only for a moment.
We all experience strong emotions from time to time. We carry them with us throughout our day. Emotions inform us and understanding them increases our insight from each experience. We become stronger and wiser because we gain clarity and peace through it all!
Last Sunday, Alexander's grandparents gave him a dollar -- and he was rich. There were so many things he could do with all of that money!
He could buy as much gum as he wanted, or even a walkie-talkie, if he saved enough. But somehow the money began to disappear....
Imagine that were allowed three wishes. You could have anything you wanted. Well that’s what the children in this story are granted. What will they wish for? Will all of them want to get their three wishes. Do you think that will make them happy or not?
Be you own refuge and light. Live in harmony in the present moment. Let truth be your guide.
Sometimes discerning our path, requires us to be still and wait patiently. In due time it will be revealed to us.
The story centers on a circular shape-like creature that is missing a wedge-shaped piece of itself. It doesn't like this, and sets out to find its missing piece. It starts out on a grand adventure searching for the perfect piece to complete itself. Will he be happier when he finds his missing piece?
Sneetches are typically similar in appearance, except they have one outward difference — some have bellies with “stars upon thars” and others do not. The star-bellied Sneetches consider themselves better than their non-starred cousins, and so keep them from their beech cook-outs. Is this fair? Are they really better?
Showing kindness to ourselves is the first step towards being able to show kindness to others. By being mindful and practicing one act of kindness at a time, you can make a difference!
Discover calm through the magic of mindful breathing:
Do YOU have the magic breath? Like magic, you can feel better just by breathing! Sometimes it’s hard to feel happy. Magic breaths can make angry or sad thoughts disappear. When you’re too busy, or have too many things going on, your magic breath can help you feel calm. Let’s see...
We may spend a lot of time rushing from moment to moment. Filling our moments with activities and thinking. Give yourself well- deserved moments of stillness and re-energize. There is wisdom in silence.
This is an African folktales about a chance meeting in the forest of children from two different families—one of frogs, the other of snakes. The frog and snake children develop a wonderful friendship. But will this friendship last even though they are different? Will they be able to play together again? This tale focuses on the important topic of diversity and a respect for differences.
In our Mindful Moments practice today, we become aware of our focus on problems but at the same time rising above them. We experience a sense of detachment and freedom. This awareness can help us to bring what may seem overwhelming into perspective, using a wider lens.
Kindness matters! Especially to ourselves. Learn about how to be friends to others and to yourself. This positive self-talk helps to build happiness.
When Esperanza finds a heart shaped rock, she sees it as a reminder to spread kindness and love in the world. But when the school play doesn’t go the way she’d hoped, will she remember to show it to herself?
Search for that place within you where you can feel happiness and joy. Where there is peace and the light outshines the darkness.
This is a story about mindfulness. Henry is a lot of fun when he's not storming through the house, so Emma decides to teach him how to be still. By showing him how to sit, bow, and breathe, Emma is able to calm the hurricane within Henry.
Join The Very Hungry Caterpillar for a soothing story featuring classic art from the World of Eric Carle. With simple coping mechanisms and beautiful illustrations, this book is an excellent reminder to kids and adults alike to take a moment, breathe deep, and smile!
Peace - it doesn’t mean you will always be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to exist in the midst of all of those things and still be calm in your heart (unknown author).
When the storms of life surround us, find peace in your inner core. This safe place is always available to you, where you can have a few moments of peace!
Follow the adventure of our hero, The Elephant. This story reminds us to be our true self and to love the body we have.
I Am Peace book helps Students learn how to manage their emotions., make good choices, by learning to be mindful, express emotions through speech, and learn strategies to calm down.
Sometimes you just need stop give yourself a break! It can be challenging to show compassion for ourselves. In the business of life, taking these moments can make a difference. In just a few moments of being mindful we can tune into ourselves and the universal ways we are all United,
When we connect at the level of the heart we recognize our value and the gift of another day.
Charlotte’s world is very noisy! She can’t seem to find a quiet place at home, school or in her neighborhood. She is getting upset and needs to calm down! Do you think she will ever find a quiet place? Let’s read the story and see!
When so much goes on in our world that is beyond our control, we can on focus our energies in a direction that leaves us feeling overwhelmed. Before that happens, I encourage you to step back and take a few moments to ground yourself. No matter what is happening now or what may come, “you got this!” Just remember to give yourself the space to be relaxed, grounded, and focused on what matters most. This has the dual benefit of helping us to feel better and teach with less stress (for us and our students)!
The Empty Pot is a Chinese folktale. In this story, the Emperor doesn’t have any children. Since only males can be emperor, he comes up with a great idea! He will give the boys in his kingdom each a "royal seed" to grow in three months’ time. The grower of the most magnificent plant will be crowned the successor. However, there is a slight twist, one that will test their character! Will any of the youth be honest when faced with the challenges? Will their desire to be crowned the Emperor lead them down the wrong path? Let’s listen to the story and find out!
It’s normal during these times to feel overwhelmed, anxious or stressed. These are high-stress times where we can be easily pulled off center. We may become preoccupied by our thoughts and wondering. Exactly the time to refocus and practice grounding ourselves.
With so many challenges facing us all at once, we may feel small and powerless. Nothing could be further from the truth! This is exactly the moment when the world needs your light to shine! Let your light shine today, without fear!
The children who live in Africa listen to stories, just like you are now. What do you think happened before storytelling began? What would happen if there were no more stories? Listen as the story is read to learn how that problem would be solved!
Poor Juanito! Why are his owners boiling a pot of hot water? How’d he wind up being the main course for dinner? How is he going to trick a hungry Jaguar into setting him free? And why is he laughing all the way to the moon?
We’ve all had to adjust and make changes in our daily lives since the pandemic. We worry about the present and may feel anxious about the future. When all we really have is the here and now. Rest your mind in this present moment and experience a taste mindfulness!
Within each one of us resides an infinite source of power and wisdom. Awaken to the life you are meant to live. Awaken to the purpose for which you were called into being. Rise to awaken to the broader concerns and needs of our shared humanity.
The Talking Eggs is a Creole folktale adapted from the American South. There are two sisters with different ways of viewing the world and treating people. Blanche is gentle, loving and kind. She works hard at home doing chores and is obedient. She has an older sister named Rose who is just the opposite. She is mean, cruel, selfish and refuses to do any chores around the house. Their mom is cruel and sneaky. One day Blanche meets an old woman with magical abilities on a path near her home. She treats her kindly and is rewarded with magic eggs. Later, her sister Rose goes to meet the old woman determined to return with even more treasures. What will greedy Rose get instead?
This a Japanese folktale about two frogs who were curious about what their country looked like. They imagined it was better than where they lived. So they set out to see for themselves. Along the way they meet and share their stories. Will they be able to believe their eyes?
Silent reflection slows us down and increases self-awareness and clarity. We disconnect from stress and anxiety to reconnect with inner peace and calm. Our feelings of anxiety and stress decrease as we focus on the present moment.
Spending time with ourselves for many of us often seems like a luxury we can’t afford! In order to care for others we have to take care of our health and well-being. Hidden among the current challenges are opportunities! Spend time with yourself. Embrace who you are and who you are becoming!
Spending time with ourselves for many of us often seems like a luxury we can’t afford! In order to care for others we have to take care of our health and well-being. Hidden among the current challenges are opportunities! Spend time with yourself. Embrace who you are and who you are becoming!
The Clever Coyote is a Native American Folktale. Native American tribes credit coyote with bringing humans the gift of fire, destroying monsters, and making waterfalls. In this folktale the coyote saves people and animals by coming up with a clever plan to trick a monster. Will everyone work together to save lives? Listen to the story for what they decide to do!
During these times it can be easy to let fear fill the vacuum created by physical distancing. We may sit ruminating on our distress and the fear of the unknown. Fear in its most instinctive form protects us. But it can do so much more. When we face our fears we develop courage, wisdom and resilience. What are you doing to keep from letting fear control you?
Anansi the spider is a great hero of the world! He’s mischievous, wise and lovable. He likes playing tricks on others and likes winning. In this tail, Anansi was busy thinking about getting respect from all the animals in the jungle. He didn’t even think about how others might feel.
With the recent events throughout the world, many of us also enter into this new reality feeling anxious. Through this podcast I hope to help you to channel any disquiet you might be feeling into a renewed focus on the present moment.
The once was a group of quail who made their home in the forest. The wise quail was the leader of the flock. He wanted to keep his flock safe and free. That’s why when a hunter came to trap them he set a plan in motion to save his flock.
This is a traditional folktale from China. There was a poor boy who loved to paint. He was give a magic paintbrush by and old man and told to help people. So he went about using his paintbrush to help others. A selfish rich man tricked him and took his magic paintbrush, but it wouldn’t work for him. The poor boy was clever and figured out a way to get it back. This story teaches about the importance of sharing and using our talents to help others.