Early Childhood Tip: Modeling mindfulness

Mindfulness is a great way to ease stress, be more present and even soothe anxiety. We live in a world where stress is common and multitasking is the norm. It’s easy to find yourself in a rut of spending too much time doom-scrolling, over-planning and trying to accomplish too much. Incorporating mindfulness activities into your life can be incredibly simple and beneficial. 

Mindfulness is a type of meditation where you focus on being present without judgment or interpretation. When life feels a little chaotic, mindfulness can help you navigate with a sense of calm and purpose, helping you slow down. Anyone can practice mindfulness by incorporating it into self-care activities and hobbies – journaling, coloring, gardening, walking, connecting with nature and practicing gratitude.

Parents & kids benefit from mindfulness

We all know parenting can be stressful. Children know when their parents are stressed or overwhelmed. When a parent is stressed, it becomes contagious. Mindfulness can be a tool to help alleviate stress and be more present for both you and your kids. When a child sees their parents handling a situation calmly, the child feels safe.

Being a mindful parent means letting go of the idea that things and/or you need to be perfect. We do the best we can in a moment and we learn from our mistakes. Mindfulness can be simply making one change or addition to your routine and giving your child your full attention, which can help you a better parent. You are a role model to your children. When you practice mindfulness, your children will follow this example.

Kid-friendly mindfulness activities

• Safari – Turn an everyday walk into an adventure. Notice all the birds, bugs and animals. Focus all of your senses to find them all.
• Senses Scavenger Hunt – Name 1 thing you hear, name 1 thing you see, name 1 scent you notice, name 1 object you can touch.         
• Wiggle & Freeze game – Move around and then “freeze.” Talk about how you feel.             
• Monkey See, Monkey Do – Take the role of the monkey and lead your child through different positions (stand on 1 foot or get on all-fours).          
• Snake Breathing – Take a deep breath in and let it out of mouth with a “ssss” sound.