One effective way to deal with the pressure of Right Now is to make time each day to practice mindfulness. When you practice mindfulness, you’re practicing the art of creating space for yourself – space to think, space to breathe, space to slow down, connect and be present.
“Mindfulness is to pay attention on purpose, in the present moment, to just slow down and notice all the beautiful things around you,” said Sandra Graham, Kiddie Academy’s Director of Training. “It can help children focus, manage stress, self-regulate emotions and develop a positive outlook. Particularly right now, it can offer them relief from the stress and difficulties that may be occurring in their life and help build resiliency.”
Practicing Mindfulness Each Day
To help you practice mindfulness, our Education team has developed a series of Mindful Minutes, suggestions of things you can do with your children to achieve mindfulness. Mindful Minutes reflect the Kiddie Academy Life Essentials® philosophy and help children concentrate on the positives around them, developing a sense of appreciation, gratitude and contentment.
In a playful way, use these activities and games to introduce your child to breathing practices and other techniques to develop focus, sensory awareness, reduce stress and regulate emotions.
Take your child for a walk outside. Invite your little one to listen to how the leaves blow in the wind. Direct their attention to the warm sun as it bathes their face. Listen to birds in the distance as they chirp. Focusing on the surroundings helps your child connect to their environment. It brings their attention to the here and now.
Encourage your little one to think from head to toe about how they’re feeling. This can be a good way to start the day or just something you do when you think your child needs to center themselves.
Find a relaxing place, sit comfortably, and set a timer for one minute. Breathe deeply in and out, slowly.
