Mindfulness Resources
Mindfulness can be defined as “the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us.” (https://www.mindful.org/meditation/mindfulness-getting-started/). There are a number of benefits to improved mindfulness for kids including increased focus and attention, compassion, and decreased levels of stress, depression, and anxiety. Here are some resources to help you introduce mindfulness practices to your children.
Moody Cow Meditates:
Moody Cow Meditates:
This book by Kerry Lee MacLean tells the story of a young cow named Peter who had a really bad day with a number of things going wrong which angered him. As a result, he earned the nickname “moody cow.” His mother decides that a visit from his grandfather will help. His grandfather shows Peter how to calm the restless thoughts in his mind through a simple meditation practice. The book includes directions for creating a “mind jar” filled with glitter that represents thoughts which illustrates how your little one’s thoughts can become stirred up as well as how to settle them.
I Wonder:
I Wonder:
This is another good book for young kids written by Annaka Harris. The book follows a conversation between Eva and her mother as they walk in the woods. They talk about what they see and feel as Eva notices things and asks questions about them. The book encourages a sense of wonder and mindful observation of the natural world. As the author’s note at the end of the book points out, the book is not intended to provide answers but to foster a sense of curiosity and illustrate that “the feeling of now knowing is the source of wonder and awe.”
Mindful Kids Cards:
Mindful Kids Cards:
This deck of 50 cards includes activities for integrating mindfulness throughout the day. They are organized into five categories including cards for starting your day, finding calm, focusing, opening your heart, and rest and relaxation. Each card contains simple to follow steps for a short activity that encourages kids to reflect on how their feeling, and practice self-soothing, and compassion.
Sitting Still Like a Frog:
Sitting Still Like a Frog:
This book by Eline Snel includes a number of simple mindfulness activities designed to help kids deal with anxiety, improve concentration and handle difficult emotions. The book includes a CD with guided meditations. The meditations focus on helping kids identify and name what they are feeling and manage those feelings.
A Handful of Quiet:
A Handful of Quiet:
This book was written by the Zen Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh and describes and hands-on activity called “pebble meditation” to help kids experience “our interconnection with nature and calm busy bodies and minds.” You will need four pebbles each of which represents a different image in nature: a flower, a mountain, calm water, and space. Each pebble also represents a different mindset and meditation focus, for example, the mountain represents solidity and calmness.
Planting Seeds:
Planting Seeds:
This book, also by Thich Nhat Hahn, provides a more detailed examination of mindfulness and offers more activities to help kids practice mindfulness. It also comes with a CD that contains guided meditation activities. The book contains the pebble meditation activity from A Handful of Quiet as well as activities on mindful eating, cooperative games, connecting with nature, and cultivating happiness.
Establishing a practice of mindfulness early can be very beneficial to kids as they grow up and face stressful situations that inevitably come their way. These resources can give you the tools to introduce mindfulness in a fun and relaxed way.
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Establishing a practice of mindfulness early can be very beneficial to kids as they grow up and face stressful situations that inevitably come their way. These resources can give you the tools to introduce mindfulness in a fun and relaxed way.
This article contain links to products on Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.