Why mindfulness?
Though we are all doing our best to keep our kids away from today’s news, the drastically different school day, reduced playtime with friends, increased time being cooped up at home, and glimpses of adult daily worries has potentially increased some of our children's’ tendency to be anxious. You may have noticed this anxiousness manifested in a variety of ways including but not limited to physical ailments, a greater degree of emotional sensitivity, avoidance of family and friends, and perhaps more commonly through a deluge of dramatic meltdowns. You might be wondering where did my kid go and how do I get them back?! I know our family has experienced these ranges of emotions just in the span of the last 24 hours alone.
What is mindfulness?
While we can’t control what’s going outside our homes, we can to some extent try to control the thoughts in our heads that lead us to these more extreme, anxious reactions. This mindset, of actively and purposefully choosing to focus on the present, is called mindfulness. Notice the word present. It has big implications. Kids who practice mindfulness, who focus their brains on the now, work to reduce their own anxious thoughts by limiting them to the variables they can control. Why can’t we go back to normal school? Am I going to pass my grade this year? Will I still take the end of the year exam? What about that end of the year field trip? All fair questions but none that parents or kids can definitely answer today. When left to their own devices, these thoughts can creep into kids' daily lives, overwhelming them. Instead, mindfulness gently asks all of us to put those thoughts aside for our own health and so we can function day to day.
How does it work?
Mindfulness is a practical form of meditation. It asks kids to be in touch with their emotions, to learn how their body is reacting to those emotions, before they are consumed by them. To do this, kids use specific physical and mental strategies to increase their level body and mind self-awareness. These strategies can be presented through fun games, through engaging stories, and or through physical activities.
Does it work?
There are a few promising studies that suggest so. Researchers found kids who practice mindfulness tend to experience reduced levels of stress, emotional sensitivity, and explosive behaviors. Likewise these same kids were reported to have an increased sense of calmness, sleep, and self-awareness. Some studies even found the focused attention mindfulness instills lends itself to an increased focused level of attention in the classroom as well. Sounds too good to be true? In the last few years, schools, counselors, therapeutic offices, and other educational providers have reported its benefits across a wide variety of student populations.
Can I implement it at home?
In this time of uncertainty, what ifs, and variables incomprehensibly beyond our control, mindfulness is worth a try at home, throughout the day, and in bits of time. It should not take place of movement and of open communication. Rather, mindfulness serves to compliment these anxiety reducing practices. There are a variety of ways you could incorporate mindfulness practices throughout your day. Different mindfulness educational apps have a variety of price points. They generally work to engage kids in mini breathing, meditative, fun exercises when a moment of need should pop up. If screen time is a concern, try guided meditation podcasts geared towards kids. Peace Out podcast is a notable example. Need a more active strategy? Try these yoga and meditation videos designed for kids.
And of course, if you find your child’s level of anxiousness to be more acute than these at home strategies might be able to address, do not hesitate to reach out to your children’s school for help. Teachers have access to licensed social workers, counselors, and therapists at their finger tips. They will help guide you towards the right professional and or strategy.
Does it work?
There are a few promising studies that suggest so. Researchers found kids who practice mindfulness tend to experience reduced levels of stress, emotional sensitivity, and explosive behaviors. Likewise these same kids were reported to have an increased sense of calmness, sleep, and self-awareness. Some studies even found the focused attention mindfulness instills lends itself to an increased focused level of attention in the classroom as well. Sounds too good to be true? In the last few years, schools, counselors, therapeutic offices, and other educational providers have reported its benefits across a wide variety of student populations.
Can I implement it at home?
In this time of uncertainty, what ifs, and variables incomprehensibly beyond our control, mindfulness is worth a try at home, throughout the day, and in bits of time. It should not take place of movement and of open communication. Rather, mindfulness serves to compliment these anxiety reducing practices. There are a variety of ways you could incorporate mindfulness practices throughout your day. Different mindfulness educational apps have a variety of price points. They generally work to engage kids in mini breathing, meditative, fun exercises when a moment of need should pop up. If screen time is a concern, try guided meditation podcasts geared towards kids. Peace Out podcast is a notable example. Need a more active strategy? Try these yoga and meditation videos designed for kids.
And of course, if you find your child’s level of anxiousness to be more acute than these at home strategies might be able to address, do not hesitate to reach out to your children’s school for help. Teachers have access to licensed social workers, counselors, and therapists at their finger tips. They will help guide you towards the right professional and or strategy.
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