For most of us, mindfulness means re-training our minds.
We have to shed habits and beliefs about how we live, to make way for the rewarding sensations of the present.
What if children learned mindfulness? What if schools made this a key part of a child’s development?
Mindfulness teaches us to observe that thoughts are just that – transient feelings that pass and do not define who you are.
Being able to separate a negative emotion and let it pass, without connecting it to your core being and sense of self, is a sign of emotional intelligence.
A mindful child would be happier and more compassionate. With the increasing pressure on our children to sit stressful tests from a young age, it is fair we balance this with ways to soothe their minds and bodies too.
Learning balance and organisation will also help with exam prep!
Did you know that mindfulness can also be effective in children with autism? An on-going meditation practice can create a beneficial sense of balance in the brain.
Here are 5 ways you can bring mindfulness into your child’s life today:
-Ask your children to put away any phones or electronic devices at mealtimes (and lead by example!). This will encourage them to engage with the meal and their family more mindfully.
You can use mealtimes to introduce the concept of mindful eating. This will work especially well with young children. Ask questions like “What colour is the food?”, “What does it smell like?” and so on.
Take your child on a meditation walk. Notice the patterns of the leaves, the rhythm of nature and the sound of our footsteps making contact with the ground. Use 5 senses to notice 5 things about your environment.
Present a goodie bag full of objects with different types of textures. With closed eyes (no peeking!) your child has to guess what the object is. Using their senses, they should describe how it feels, if it is heavy or light, big or small and what colour they think.
Teach them how to how to place sad emotions inside a bubble that floats away whenever they feel upset. Tell them to squeeze all their muscles together then relax, to get rid of any tension that is lurking.
http://www.relaxkids.com - This is a valuable website for finding resources that will help to relax your child. We recommend the meditation CD – play this every night and watch your child appear more refreshed in the morning!