Calm.

Calm and quiet are not words that one would often associate with the classrooms at STA. Our building is filled with the many sounds that accompany pre-schoolers - laughing, crying, talking or getting closer to talking, singing, music, banging, stomping, clapping, and the sound effects of so many toys. When it's time to calm down and sit quietly for circle it can often be a difficult transition for our children. We've tried many techniques, some are met with success, others with absolute (and loud) failure, but our latest attempt seems to be doing the trick.

This is our Tibetan Singing Bowl. Traditionally, singing bowls are used in meditation practices. They work either by being struck with the mallet to make a tone (similar to a tuning fork or bell) or by running the smooth edge of a mallet around the outside rim to create friction and long "singing" tones. The tones created from friction carry vibrations that are typically very calming thereby aiding in the creation of an environment that is both peaceful and relaxing. Our children are very in tune with their environment and sensitive to surrounding sounds, lights, and movements. The singing bowl can't eliminate all stimulus or distraction but it does aid the children in focusing in on the one sound and calms the room.

I have included a video of interest with this post. It focuses on a teenager with Autism who uses singing bowl therapy.