Being mindful can help young children improve their sense of wellbeing, ability to focus, relaxation, and self-regulation. Mindfulness helps them develop the skills to be more aware, make conscious decisions, and appreciate the world around them.
Parents and caregivers should take the time to introduce young children to be more aware of the environment around them, their own breath, body, and feelings. Here are five recommended mindful activities for young children.
Yoga for kids
This is a fun way for kids to stay active and mindful at the same time. It can be done on their own or in groups and doesn’t need any equipment apart from a yoga mat. There are plenty of video options online that focus on making yoga and mindfulness fun for kids.
If you’re a parent and a fan of yoga then why not teach them a few of the basics yourself? Young children can get a lot out of yoga as well as adults. It enhances flexibility, strength, and body awareness. It also aids their concentration and sense of calm.
Guided meditation
Guided mediation can be done using a simple script online if you haven’t had much experience. It’s very useful for children and teens to relieve stress and anxiety, and improve self-esteem. It’s a great way for them to develop a more positive attitude at home and at school.
Young children have vivid imaginations so they often get more out of meditation than adults do. Many guided meditation activities combine visualization with movement, making them much more fun as well.
Breathing exercises
Bumblebee breathing is a funny yet calming breathing exercise for young children. These are often used at the beginning of lessons to prepare them for the beginning of the school day. It allows them to tune out any stress, relax, and get their mind ready to learn.
Breathing exercises are a powerful way to teach children social-emotional learning (SEL). They help to promote calm, energize, and reduce anxiety. You can do them together as a family, as they benefit both adults and kids alike.
Mindfulness games
There are plenty of games that help kids focus and be more mindful, without compromising on fun. The pennies game is one example of how to teach children to pay more attention to detail. Each child is given a penny and they have to focus on it and memorize the details. The pennies are then thrown into a hat together and they need to pick out their own coin.
Mindful or unmindful
Speaking to your children about mental health and mindfulness improves their awareness. Professional help is always an option too. As a family, you could try online therapy appointments to help resolve any issues any member might have.
If you want to help your child understand how to be more mindful, there are certain activities you can try. Write a list of different actions and ask your child to identify which ones are more mindful, this will help them to develop more understanding and awareness.
Candy TaiCANDY TAI is a wife to David and mom of 5 with a degree in Communications. She's a native Texan (Hook 'Em Horns!) who's been making her home in the Kansas City metro area for nearly 15 years. She loves being able to shuffle her kids from their various sports activities, piano lessons, and school activities. She enjoys fashion, beauty, reality TV, and moviegoing.
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