You may wonder why Mindfulness and Wellness matter for kids this early in life....
Well let me the first (or one of many) to share that Mindfulness and Wellness training gives young children some of the tools and skills they need to avoid mental health crisis. Other tools include more intangible and immeasurable things like Faith and Belief.
In this blog we'll look at some simple activities to have young children practice in order to learn about and develop mental strength:
1.
Breathing Buddies: Have them lie down with a stuffed animal on their belly and teach them to watch it rise and fall with their breaths.
2.
Mindful Listening: Encourage them to close their eyes and identify different sounds around them, focusing on each one for a moment.
3.
Five Senses Check-In: Guide them through recognizing five things they can see, four things they can touch, three things they can hear, two things they can smell, and one thing they can taste.
4.
Mindful Walking: Take a slow walk and ask them to notice how their feet feel against the ground with each step.
5.
Belly Breathing: Teach them to place their hand on their belly and take deep breaths, feeling their belly rise and fall.
6.
Yoga for Kids: Introduce them to simple yoga poses like downward dog, tree pose, and child's pose.
7.
Dance Party: Play their favorite music and encourage them to dance freely.
8.
Nature Scavenger Hunt: Create a list of items for them to find outdoors, encouraging exploration and connection with nature.
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| 14 month old making fruit smoothie |
9.
Healthy Cooking: Involve them in preparing a healthy snack or meal, teaching them about nutrition along the way.
10.
Gratitude Journal: Encourage them to write or draw things they are grateful for each day.
11.
Stretching Routine: Show them gentle stretching exercises to promote flexibility and relaxation.
12.
Mindful Coloring: Provide coloring books or sheets with intricate designs to help them focus and relax.
13.
Bubble Breaths: Use bubbles to teach them deep breathing exercises, having them take a deep breath in and blow out slowly to create bubbles.
14.
Guided Imagery Storytelling: Tell a story that encourages relaxation and visualization.
15.
Positive Affirmations: Help them create and repeat positive
affirmations to boost self-esteem.
16.
Feelings Check-In: Create a feelings chart and encourage them to express how they're feeling each day.
17.
Quiet Reading Time: Set aside time for them to
read quietly, fostering a sense of calm and focus.
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| Glittery Calm Jar |
18.
Calm Jar: Create a jar filled with glitter and water; when shaken, it represents settling emotions and the need for stillness.
19.
Puppet Show: Encourage them to create a puppet show that explores emotions and problem-solving.
20.
Breath Counting: Guide them to count their breaths silently up to 10, then start over, focusing on breathing deeply and calmly.
21.
Cuddle Time: Set aside a few minutes for quiet cuddle time, promoting a sense of security and relaxation.
22.
Emotion Charades: Play charades where they act out different emotions for others to guess, fostering emotional awareness.
23.
Relaxation Storytime: Read calming and soothing books before bedtime.
24.
Aromatherapy Play: Introduce them to calming scents like lavender or chamomile, allowing them to explore and understand different smells.
25.
Mindful Eating: Encourage them to eat slowly, paying attention to the taste, texture, and smell of their food.
26.
Cloud Watching/Star Gazing: Lie down and watch clouds/stars, discussing their shapes/constellations and letting imaginations run free.
27.
Body Scan: Guide them through a body scan, focusing on relaxing each part of their body sequentially.
28.
Appreciating Nature: Have them draw or paint something they see in nature that makes them happy.
29.
Deep Muscle Relaxation: Teach them to tense and release muscles in their body to promote relaxation.
30.
Affirmation Mirror: Place positive affirmations on a mirror for them to read aloud each morning.
31.
Journaling Feelings: Provide a journal for them to write or draw their thoughts and feelings or create their own characters and storylines.
32.
Self Hug: Have them wrap their arms around themselves and tightly squeeze for at least 21-30 seconds. Teach them that if they ever crave a hug and you are not around that a self hug has a similar calming effect.
Take Away
Mindfulness and building Mental Strength is a lifelong journey. These activities are designed to introduce young children to these important life skills in a fun, engaging way. #LearningFun
Feel free to adjust and tweak activities for them based on their personal preferences and current developmental stage.
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