Today, for Thinking Thursday, I want to focus on mindfulness. Mindfulness is being present and totally engaged in the moment. The understanding of its theory and practice of mindfulness with children is becoming more widespread because of it’s proven benefits and society’s increased awareness of mental health. It will help improve the overall behavior and emotional well-being of all children. It allows children to pay attention and focus on body sensations and feelings as they happen. It gives them the ability to adjust and cope with the stress of every day life. There are several benefits of practicing mindfulness with our children in the classroom and at home.
- Strengthens self-control
- Lowers stress and anxiety
- Increases positive moods
- Better decision making
- Improves emotional regulation skills
- Increases self-esteem
- Improves health and body image
- Improves social skills and communication
There are several great resources out there and I wanted to share one with you that I found. Teach Starter has some amazing resources for teachers, but many of the resources can also be used at home. Please check out their website: https://www.teachstarter.com/us/blog/classroom-mindfulness-activities-for-children-us/ They have 18 different, 5-10 minute mindfulness activities listed on their website. They also have some great free handouts and/or packets that can be downloaded. I attached three great resources for your convenience, but please take a look at their website and try some of the activities with your child.
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