Mindfulness means to be present here and now. It’s about paying attention to all the stimuli around. And it’s also about being able to turn the attention inward, to meditate. Through meditation you go to that special place where you feel secure and bring back the good thoughts and feelings of peace from there. The anger, frustration, sadness melt in the kindness of peaceful thoughts and good deeds. And make room for gratitude.

 

Why is mindfulness a healthy practice for children?

 

We all want to raise balanced kids. It’s easier for us as parents, and it’s easier for them to cope with all the challenges they have to face as children, as the teenagers and as the grown-ups they are going to become.

Nowadays, there are many distractions around, especially if we think about technology. The phone rings, we receive notifications, our smart watch tells us we have to move, the washing machine announces the program is over. Somewhere, on the background we hear the TV or the music we’ve selected on Spotify. We don’t even realize the never ending multitasking goal we settle to our brains.  And then we wonder why we are always tired.

Few days ago, WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram turned down at the same time. It was panic in social media. 8 hours of silence, in the evening, if we consider Romania’s time. And I must admit I felt proud I didn’t notice. At the time I was at the gym and then I came home, I spent time with my family and I went to bed without checking on my messages or the news.

That’s exactly what we should do for our children: turn off the noise. Teach them to enjoy the present time, to actually be there. Their brains also need breaks. The studies have shown that the mindful persons:

  1. Focus better – means learning more, which leads to
  2. Better academic results and
  3. Happier and more balanced lives.

Good habits come from childhood. That’s why we need to teach our children mindfulness.

 

How to teach your kid mindfulness?

 

  1. Limited time for devices

It’s a noisy world anyway. Try to make it as quite as possible. Your children need to stay connected with their peers and probably the online education has already become part of their lives. Devices provide leisure time as well – beautiful stories, songs and games. But you are the person to decide how long they should spend virtually, since the real world still has so many experiences to offer.

  1. Re-discover the 5 senses

And since we mentioned the experiences in the real world, make sure your child uses all the senses:

  • hear – the birds singing, the wind through the leaves of the trees,
  • see – blue sky, different colors and shapes,
  • smell – leaves, flowers, favorite food,
  • feel – different type of materials, warm sun, breeze blowing,
  • taste – an apple, juice, water.

Ask your children to stay still for few moments and just notice what happens around them.

  1. Spend time outdoors

Re-connect with nature. Feel it, taste it, smell it, hear it, see it. There are so many beautiful things to discover out there. Make your children feel like explorers. It’s such a beautiful way to learn about new things!

  1. Meditate

Guide your child through meditation. Stay still for 8 minutes. Pay attention to your own breath – inhale and exhale, focus inward.

Relax your entire body. Feel the muscles from your head relaxed, notice your forehead, your eyes, and mouse. Relax the neck, your back, your chest and belly. Feel the air getting in and out of your body. Unwind your arms, your hands and fingers. Relax your feet, your soles and toes.

Imagine a place where you’ve felt secure, happy and peaceful. Get those feelings back to you, and come back, bringing the peace and happiness with you.

  1. Practice gratitude

Take time to identify together those spotlights in your lives. Be happy for all the good things happening to you. Happy and grateful. And name them in loud voice. This way, it would be easier for you to think of them once you feel down and disappointed.

 

Always remember to be a good example. Your child is imitating you. So it’s not only about what you say or teach, it’s also about what you do.