Mindfulness for Kids

I could solve the planet’s energy crisis if I could bottle my oldest daughter’s exuberance. There is no moment, from the time she gets out of bed in the morning (about the time the sun comes up) to the moment she finally falls asleep (within a few minutes of her head touching her pillow) that she does not fully embrace life and live every moment with a passion that I am in awe of.

And struggle to keep up with.

While I love and enjoy watching her constant movement and unbridled energy, there are times she does need to be calm and still. She’s learning that “there’s a time and a place for everything,” but until she masters the art of doing nothing, I’ve turned to mindfulness aids to help her focus.

What is mindfulness?

Mindfulness is act of slowing down and taking note of yourself and the world around you. Mindfulness teaches you to be calm and in the moment. Children with a tendency to get overwhelmed can benefit greatly from mindfulness exercises. It gives children the opportunity to take control of their emotions, steady their behavior, and overcome stress and anxiety. Considering how many people suffer from anxiety-related issues, it is a good idea to start teaching coping skills when they’re young!

I use mindfulness activities both for grounding and for general calm. I also use meditation and breathing exercises to help them stay steady in a world that can often be scary and difficult to deal with. Activities come in a variety of forms, from games to guided meditations to story-telling apps.

The Best Mindfulness App. Ever.

My absolute favorite app for mindful children is Stop, Breath, & Think.

I use the adult version of the app myself and absolutely love the various meditations and stories they have for kids. 

The app can accommodate up to five children accounts. Each of my girls get their own accounts, which tracks their progress. Like the adult version, you begin by “checking in,” using emojis to define your mood. You then get a series of meditations that are tailored to your answers. These “missions” are animated, calm, guided meditations that don’t last more than ten minutes. These have done wonders for my “mission” of calmer, more focused and relaxed little girls! 

There are a ton of meditations in the “base model” of the app that are free. While they offer a monthly subscription with more variety, it isn’t really necessary for anyone wanting to learn how mindfulness works. 

 

Have you tried mindfulness with your littles? Leave me a comment and tell me how it went!