Hello little explorer, did you have a good day today?
Did you get out into the world and explore something new with a friend?
Or perhaps it was a home day filled with beautiful little inside moments with your family and loved ones.
As a little explorer, our days are always filled with big and small adventures.
But at the end of the day, What's most important is how we feel and that we know we are loved.
Isn't that right?
Well tonight, before we go to sleep, we're going to go on one more little adventure to meet someone who is full of love.
We're going to meet a new puppy pal.
I wonder which one we'll meet tonight.
But you know what we need to do before we go, right little explorer?
Yes, we need to get ready.
And we do that by using our breath and our body to help us relax and get ready.
I have a special idea for us tonight.
Have you ever noticed that when a dog is super excited to see something new or see the person they love, their tail wags and their whole body moves?
Can you picture that in your head right now, little one?
Dogs are so amazing at that.
They use their whole body to feel.
But can you remember what we do if we want a puppy to calm down a little?
That's right.
We give it a pat.
Dogs love pats.
It helps them calm.
It helps them feel loved.
And it helps their body release some of that excitement.
Did you know that human bodies work a little the same way?
We can use our hands to pat parts of our body.
And if we do it slowly...
And intentionally, with nice slow breaths, we can send the same message to our bodies to be calm, to feel loved and to let go of any of the excitement of the day.
Let's give it a try, shall we?
Great.
Thanks for giving it a go with me, little explorer.
Okay.
So first, let's take a big breath in and out.
And now, if you can, maybe you can take your hands and gently place them on your chest and begin to pat your body.
Pat, pat, pat, pat, pat.
Just gently pat.
Patting with love, like you would your favourite puppy or animal.
Breathe in.
And out.
Pat, pat, pat.
Great job.
Now, let's try moving our hands down to our belly. and gently patting as we breathe deeply.
Pat, pat, pat, pat, pat.
Just like we would with our puppy pal.
We do it nice and slowly, sending our bodies love and comfort.
Can you feel that?
Well done.
I think when we meet our special puppy pal tonight we'll be able to use the same patting to help them know they are loved too.
So, shall we meet our special friend now?
Great.
Let's Walking into a beautiful park now.
Green, green grass.
And big, beautiful trees.
A great place for a dog.
Oh, and here he comes.
Hello, puppy pal.
It's so nice to meet you.
You have a beautiful yellow coloured coat of hair and lovely, friendly brown eyes.
And you're so gentle and loving.
Do you know what type of puppy we have tonight, little one?
It's a Labrador.
You may know what a Labrador looks like.
They can be chocolate brown or black or, like our pal here is, yellow.
And they are so lovely and helpful.
Labradors are the ones that often help blind people as guide dogs.
Hello.
Oh, aren't you beautiful?
You love to help the people you love, don't you?
In fact, everything you do is for your loved ones.
You listen for them if they can't hear.
You see for them if they can't see very well.
You fetch what they need and you make sure they feel safe and loved.
How special is that?
Can you see how happy he is to be with you, little explorer?
That tail wagging, those big brown eyes.
It's so wonderful to have someone or something in our lives that makes us feel like that.
Someone who helps us listen to what's important and helps us see what we need to see and do what we need to do.
Do you have someone like that, little explorer?
Someone who helps you figure things out?
Who is there for you when you really need it?
And are you sometimes like a Labrador for someone else too?
Do you show your loved ones how much you love them?
Do you help them when they need it so they also feel safe and loved?
Just like our pal the Labrador.
You can be helpful and kind and full of love.
Okay, I think our pal needs a little pat to help him calm down and feel loved now too.
Shall we do that for him?
Pat, pat, pat, pat, pat.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
Pat, pat, pat, pat.
Both our puppy pal and you and I feel safe, calm and loved now.
Thanks, Labrador.
It's time for us to go now, though.
Goodbye.
But remember, little explorer, you are always loved.
And there are lots of people and animals in this world who are here for you whenever you need them.
Now, feel your body back in your bed now.
Your head on your pillow.
Your bed under your body.
Nice and comfortable.
Ready for sleep.
Sweet dreams.
Waking up in the morning healthy and happy and ready to explore the world again tomorrow.
Good night, little one.
Thank you.
