Exploring Mindfulness with Your Child

Mindfulness is a powerful tool that can benefit children in addition to adults. A form of easy meditation requiring no special tools or space, it can be done anywhere and at any time. At its core, mindfulness is the simple notion of “just being”.

That concept of doing something that is in essence – nothing – can be tricky for children to grasp but if you want to explain it better to smaller children, then setting aside a special place at home can help. When children equate a certain space with a certain activity it can be easier for them to participate.

Create a mindfulness corner at home

This is as simple as choosing a quiet area, placing a rug or blanket on the floor and maybe a string of fairy lights and explaining that this is now the mindfulness spot.

Show your child what it means to simply sit still and take notice of the sounds around you. Hear the birds, the wind or rain and see the things in the room but don’t move or talk about them. Simply see, hear and feel.

Sessions need only last for 5 minutes for small children, older children can go on for as long as they choose.

Practising mindfulness whilst out and about

Explain to your child that they can do mindfulness wherever they are and whenever they need to. In the playground, on the bus, in the car – taking 5 minutes to simply be and to experience a moment is very healthy and it’s also proven to reduce stress in both adults and children.

Mindfulness is often practised within good schools like this London prep school which even has a mindfulness club in the mornings which is designed to help children focus and relax ready for their day. Bringing this sort of practice home with them is a powerful way to link home and school and to help children achieve all they possibly can.

This is a collaborative post.