When I reminisce on my childhood – I think: simple, fun, and carefree. Kids today have it more difficult. I feel they are more stressed in daily life and school. They try to find balance between juggling homework, after-school programs, friends, tablets, and watching TV. What happens when kids don’t have tools to help them cope? YIKES! Their emotions can run wild leaving them feeling sad, angry, and defeated.
Imagine a quiet space where kids can go when they’re “in their feelings.” Instead of giving up, “I can’t do this!” or lashing out, “I’m so stupid,” children can go to their safe place to self-regulate and feel calm. Imagine no more – it’s here!
Mindfulness Meditation to the rescue! Trust me, this isn’t new or a passing fad. Rather, it’s about helping your child to connect to the world around them, teaching them how to handle their emotions and become a more empathetic, aware human being.
So what is mindfulness? Let’s keep it simple for kids! Mindfulness is simply noticing what is happening right now and being aware of how the body feels through your five senses. It’s also about noticing what the mind is thinking and where it’s wandered.
Why do kids need it? Because it works: less anxiety, more choice rather than reaction, and happier children. Kids are present in life and school. Through mindfulness, they can feel like superheroes; they’re empowered and confident about what they can achieve. Mindful kids realize their strength comes from within.
FUN Mindfulness activities that promote confidence
Self Esteem Shield
A fun art activity that promotes protection of feelings and positive thoughts.
Directions: Cut a shield out of cardboard paper. Flip through magazines to find pictures or words that represent the child. Paste the pictures and words to decorate your shield.
Breathing Buddies
A playful breathing activity
Directions: Place a stuffed animal on the belly. Breathe in and out as you watch how the Breathing Buddy moves up and down. Notice any sensations. Imagine the thoughts that show up in the mind turn into bubbles and float away.
Attitude of Gratitude
Kids can share what they’re grateful for in a notebook, a gratitude jar or gratitude tree.
Journaling: Kids take a few minutes to think of something their grateful for today and write in their journal.
Topics or ideas as a guide:
* A person in your life that you appreciate.
* An activity or hobby you are grateful to be able to do.
* A skill or ability you have.
* A part of your body you are grateful for and why.
* Something that made you laugh.
* A hard task you were able to accomplish
Gratitude Jar: A child can put their day’s thanks on a piece of paper into their own Gratitude Jar.
Gratitude Tree: A child draws and cuts out a tree. He/she writes or illustrates each day’s thanks onto a leaf. Attach the leaf to the tree to show your gratitude.
Best Voted Kids App for Mindfulness Meditation
Stop, Breathe & Think– iOS, free. All ages.
My Bio: Sophia Shkreli is an Intuitive Life Coach, Usui Reiki Energy Practitioner, and certified Meditation teacher for adults and children. Sophia helps clients declutter the mind by releasing limiting beliefs, old patterns of behavior and energetic blockages, thereby connecting them to their essential self [the soul], boosting confidence & self-love. She earned a MAT, and taught in NYC and Westchester schools for over a decade. Sophia is an adjunct teacher and ENFP.
“I’m here to help facilitate this evolution and raise the conscious vibration of the world.”
My website: http://sophies-compass.com/
Need some more ways to practice mindfulness with your child? Our January crate, “I Can Quiet My Mind” is full of fun activities and ideas for practicing mindfulness with your child. Make practicing mindfulness a part of your child’s daily routine (and wardrobe) with this soft and adorable tee available in our shop.
