November 23, 2024

Quote of the Week

"Whatever has the nature of arising, all of it has the nature of ceasing" --Buddha

The Power Of Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a meditation practice that helps you calm down. It starts with focusing on your breathing. It helps you stay in the present instead of worrying about the past or future. There are many benefits of mindfulness for teenagers, and even young kids. It can be especially helpful for those who are easily upset or impulsive, including kids with ADHD, depression, anxiety or autism. Scientific studies have proven that mindfulness works.

Mindfulness is a great skill for kids to learn. It helps them face daily challenges. The idea is that when they pay attention to breathing out and breathing in, they start to feel calm inside. Then they can learn to notice their feelings, even upsetting ones. This gives them time to decide what they want to do about the upsetting feeling, rather than reacting immediately. For example, mindfulness can help them feel less anxious. It can stop them from having a tantrum if they are frustrated or angry.

One mindfulness coach helps kids understand it by having them find their “still, quiet place.” From there, she says, “They can learn to observe their thoughts and feelings, and they can begin to choose their behaviors.” Read more in this week's featured article from the Child Mind Institute.

Reading Corner

Title: My Body Is A Rainbow: The Color Of My Feelings
By: Mallika Chopra (author) and Izzy Burton (illustrator)
Ages: 4-8

"Using color visualizations and breathing exercises, the author takes young children through a calming body scan meditation. By the end of the story, your child will be imagining a rainbow of colors radiating from their body, and be sure to feel calmer and happier." --Publishers

Be the Change

Try out this mindfulness body scanner video with your young children. How do you all feel afterwards?