On this episode, we’ll imagine being volcanoes learning to let our lava cool, and we’ll talk about what we can do when we feel like we might erupt.
Show Notes
Like You is listener supported. Learn how you can support the show by becoming a patron on Patreon. You can also support the show by shopping in our online store or purchasing songs from the show on our Bandcamp page.
Please send us a voice memo, drawing, or letter at hello@likeyoupodcast.com. We play a voice memo from a listener at the beginning of most episodes. If your child wants to be included, record a voice memo on your phone and email it to us. Your child can introduce themself and then say a favorite affirmation, sing a line from a Like You song, say what they like about the show, or share whatever they feel! Keep it short (10-20 seconds), send it to our email, and then wait patiently. It is our goal to share every recording eventually!
Like You is a production of Perpetual Motion. The show is written and produced by Noah Glenn. The show’s artwork was illustrated by Mia Saine. Episode art is created by Lindsey Glenn.
This episode features original music by Noah Glenn, as well as additional music by IMAKEMADEBEATS.
This episode’s affirmations were read by Eso Tolson.
Find Like You online at likeyoupodcast.com.
This podcast is designed for kids, but our social media feeds are geared toward their parents. So grown-ups, give us a follow:
Transcript
Noah: Hello! I’m Noah and this is Like You, a mindfulness podcast for kids. I’m glad you’re here! Today we’ll imagine being volcanoes learning to let our lava cool. First, a word for the grownups. Like You is listener supported, so if you’d like to help us continue making new episodes, join us at patreon.com/likeyoupodcast for early access to every episode, and other special perks. We also appreciate it when you spread the word about our podcast by telling friends or leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Alright, listeners of all ages, find a place to listen where you feel comfortable and safe. You’re an important part of this podcast, so I invite you to answer questions aloud and participate in our activities. Of course, if you’d rather just think your answers quietly in your head, that’s ok too.
Let’s start with a few deep volcano breaths. First tilt your head back so you’re looking straight up. Imagine you are a volcano, and your mouth is the hole in the top of the volcano. Right now you are a resting volcano. Take a few moments to notice how you’re breathing. Now reach your arms up above your head, imagining the blue sky and fluffy clouds above you. Then reach your arms down to touch the floor or the seat where you’re sitting. Imagine you are touching the cool ocean water that surrounds the volcano. Now let’s get ready to let the volcano erupt. Take a long deep breath in, gathering your energy, 1-2-3. Then blow out hard like an erupting volcano [whoosh]. Try it again. A long deep breath in, gathering steam for your next eruption. Then blow hard, letting your volcano erupt. One last time. Take a long, deep breath in 1-2-3. Now let your breath erupt out of your mouth like a volcano. Great job, you volcano you. You can take a break from being a volcano now. Go back to being you.
On the count of three we’ll all say “I like me.” 1-2-3. I like me.
I like you too. You are strong, powerful, and kind.
Let’s talk a bit about feelings. How do you imagine a volcano feels just before it erupts?
And how do you think a volcano feels after an eruption is over?
Do you ever feel like a volcano about to erupt? Like there’s hot lava rising up inside you about to spill out? What emotions would you say describe that feeling? Angry? Irritated? Annoyed? Resentful? Grumpy?
What do you do when you feel that angry lava rising up inside of you? Do you let yourself erupt by shouting and screaming and stomping away? Do you let your lava spill out onto others by pushing or using mean words? Do you ever say those mean words to yourself?
All of us feel like erupting sometimes. Being angry, irritated, frustrated, or resentful or common emotions. But what should we do when we feel that way? It’s important to have ways to handle our angry feelings without hurting other people or ourselves. You can always use your words to tell others about how you are feeling. When you feel your lava rising up inside, you could say “I’m feeling angry, I need to step away for a few minutes while I calm down.”
Today we’re going to learn a simple exercise to cool your lava when you feel like you might erupt. You can step away from a situation and use this to calm down when you feel angry.
Imagine being a volcano once again. Start from a place of calm. You can sit comfortably. Perhaps you want to cross your legs. Close your eyes and pretend you are a sleeping volcano, breathing slowly in and out, letting yourself relax as much as you can. A volcano at rest is calm and relaxed.
Now imagine the hot lava slowly rising up inside you. Let yourself breathe a little harder, a little faster. You might even clench your fists and make an angry face. You feel like you are about to erupt. But instead of just giving in and letting the hot lava spew out your top and destroy everything around you, you’re going to focus on cooling your lava, so it just slowly trickles down the sides of your volcano until it reaches the cool water below, and it cools off into a solid rock making an even stronger foundation for your volcano.
Imagine the lava slowly, slowly oozing from the top of your head, all the way down to your feet. As the lava moves down, it gets cooler and cooler, and you let yourself relax more and more until you are calm and at rest. Let’s take it little by little. As the lava starts oozing out of your top, you can relax your face. The lava continues drifting down, past your neck. Let your neck get loose and relaxed. Now the lava is cooling down as it slides past your shoulders, and you let your shoulders relax. Continuing down your body, relax your chest, your stomach, your arms, and your legs. Now the lava finally reaching your toes, where it completely cools in the water around you. You are now calm and relaxed like a volcano at rest. Take a few deep breaths in and out. Imagine a soft breeze blowing around you. Wonderful job. You’ve cooled your lava, and calmed your anger, as you let your body relax one part at a time.
Let’s practice staying calm and relaxed as we listen to a song.
I breathe in
I breathe out
I wander head to toe
And I check things out
My head is loose My shoulders too
My neck and my tummy know just what to do
My arms and legs are letting go
Relaxing from my head down to my toe
I breathe in
I breathe out
I wander head to toe
And I check things out
And that brings us to today’s affirmations. Affirmations are words you can say about yourself to remember how wonderful you are. Today our friend Eso will lead our affirmations. Say hi to Eso.
Eso: Hey, it’s me. Eso. Will You repeat these affirmations with me?
My positive thoughts create positive feelings.
It’s okay to make mistakes.
I am strong on the inside.
No matter how hard it is, I can do it.
I have courage and confidence.
There is no one better to be than myself.
Noah: Thank you Eso. Now let’s smile and take a few slow, deep breaths as we wind down our time together.
I can’t wait to spend some time together again soon. Until then, I like you, I’m proud of you, and I’m glad we are friends. Have a happy and peaceful day.
Like You is a production of Perpetual Motion. It is written and hosted by me, Noah Glenn. I also composed and performed the Like You theme music and other music that appeared in the episode. Our podcast cover art was illustrated by Mia Saine, and our episode art is created by Lindsey Glenn. Our podcast is listener supported, and you can be a part of supporting us by joining our Patreon group at Patreon.com/likeyoupodcast. Other ways to support the show are by telling your friends, writing a review on Apple Podcasts, or checking out our online shop at likeyoupodcast.com. Our website also features show notes for every episode. We love hearing from listeners. You can send us voice memos, drawings and pictures by having a grownup send an email to hello@likeyoupodcast.com. Be sure to follow us on instagram, Facebook, and twitter @likeyoupod. Thanks for listening!
