Mindfulness in Early Childhood

Mindfulness is an essential educational tool. Mindfulness activities such as yoga, sitting quietly, breathing deeply, taking a walk, and practicing silence help develop emotional regulation and cognitive understanding, bodily awareness and coordination, and interpersonal awareness. Practicing mindfulness in the classroom and outdoors relieves stress and anxiety, allowing the child to experience well-being, peace, confidence, and joy.

Developing these skills takes time and practice as the students learn to promote peace in themselves and towards those around them. With mindfulness, we see changes in students as they interact peacefully with others and accept others for who they are.  At home, friends can practice mindfulness by doing a lot of what we practice in the classroom. Turning off the electronic devices and experiencing a moment of silence, practicing deep breathing, or engaging in a Mindfulness Walk (pictured right) can be just the tools needed to promote awareness of what is presently happening or to defuse a stressful situation with clarity and focus.

For more tools and information about mindfulness, check out these books at the library or buy them on line for your personal library:

Planting Seeds: Practicing Mindfulness with Children  
Mindful Movements: Ten Exercises for Well-Being
Peaceful Piggy Meditation
A Handful of Quiet: Happiness in Four Pebbles