A wonderful place

Find a quiet place in the house and ask your child(ren) to lay down there in a supine position. Provide enough space so they do not disturb each other during this relaxation exercise.

Instruction:
Lay down quietly on your back. Your arms are beside your body, your legs are flat on the floor. Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths in and out.

In a moment I will read you a story from Junglemaatjes. Try to listen carefully to the story with your eyes closed. That way you can see in your mind what is happening and hear what to do next.

Hello dear friends. Crocodile here. Today I like to tell you a nice story. It's about a trip that always calms me down. Deep in the jungle is a place that hardly anyone knows. It is the favorite place of Monkey, Lion, Elephant, Parrot and myself. It is wonderfully beautiful. I will take you there.

Breathe in and out quietly and look with your eyes closed at the beautiful jungle around us. On one side you can see our river. The water is shivering cold. No, you don't have to swim in it, you can lie on my back. I carry you to our favorite spot.

You feel my hard back: at your feet, all along your legs, your back and your head. But that doesn't matter. The sun is shining and warm on your cheeks. Just when you get too hot, a little wind comes in each time. Each time it refreshes you. Oh, how wonderful. Take another deep breath in and out and feel that fresh wind and sun on your face. Feel the ice-cold water of the river with your hand. This is super nice. You breathe in and out deeply again and become completely calm.

Crocodile gently floats with you on the small waves of the river. Gently we move on the water, from side to side, as if you are being rocked to sleep. Your eyes are still closed and everything feels heavier and heavier. You become very calm. Not a single muscle in your body has to work anymore. Your feet are getting heavier. Just feel. Also your one leg and then the other leg lie completely still and become heavier and heavier. Crocodile is carrying you all the way now.
Your belly breathes in and out quietly. Your shoulders hang loose and your arms fall limp.

You breathe in and out and become calmer and calmer.

We are here.

This is my wonderful place, says Crocodile. You see a waterfall and many beautiful fish in the water. Crocodile lays you in the soft grass. The moss in between makes a soft bed. You look around and see the most beautiful flowers. Mmmmm, how wonderful it smells here. You take another deep breath in .... and out....
Everything is beautifully green and sparkles in the sun. It makes you smile, because you never saw anything so beautiful.

Just stay a while and look at the beautiful plants and the soft moss, at all the flowers and their different colors, at the waterfall and the little fish playing in the water.

Now breathe in and out very deeply three more times. This way you will smell that fresh and healthy air of the jungle.

IN ......... and OUT ...............

IN ........ and OUT ................

IN ........ and OUT ................

Just lie quietly. When you are ready, gently open your eyes.