Perler Beads: The Perfect Tool for Teaching Mindfulness

Here's a fun tip for your children's yoga classes:

Use Perler Beads for meditation/mindfulness

- Use Biggie Beads for ages 3+: monitor closely so they don't put them in their mouths! Biggie Beads develop focus and fine-motor skills.
- Use regular beads for ages 5+: yes, teens love this activity too!
- But here's the real trick: DO NOT IRON! One great way to teach aparigraha (non-attachment) is to create something in a thoughtful, purposeful way and then to release it. Let it go, so that it can become something else.

- Make it actionable: Let students do a "gallery walk" of one another’s un-ironed designs. Notice and name how carefully and slowly they move when they are around fragile objects! Then, share observations and shout-outs. Last, work together to pour the beads back into the container. Notice and name how it feels to say "thank you" and "goodbye" to a work of creation.

- Celebrate and center: The creation of sand mandalas is a sacred practice of Tibetan Buddhist monks. Here is a video to show their practice and help kids connect with the spirit of the discipline.

- Make it accessible: There are many affordable knock-offs to name-brand Perlers. One of my favorites is from IKEA ($6.99 for the equivalent quantity of Perlers, which would cost about $40-$50).