Uncover the Importance of Mindfulness For Kids

25 January 2023
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Life can get overwhelming, filling our minds with thoughts, making our view of the world distorted, and our ability to be present in the moment lost somewhere. Relatable much? Well, just as we as adults can feel a turmoil of emotions that prevents us from staying in the moment, so do our kids. In today’s fast-paced world, kids have many reasons to stay stressed which can have a negative effect on their mental health. And in such situations, practising mindfulness can come in as an ultimate saviour.

But what exactly is mindfulness? And how can mindfulness for kids help to cope with negative stressors in life? If these are some of the questions crossing your mind, keep reading further. Because in this article, we have covered all that you need to know about mindfulness practice to help your kids lead a focused and balanced life.

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present and pay full attention to something happening at the moment, rather than getting distracted by the thoughts of anything else. To put it simply, it means to slow down and take notice of what you are doing, even if it means focusing on your breath. Safe to say that mindfulness is the opposite of multitasking.

Mindfulness practice can enable kids to can slow down, and take their time to focus on something in a way that is both relaxing and stress-free. One of the best ways to practice mindfulness for kids is through meditation, which usually involves a combination of breathing exercises, body awareness, visualization, and relaxation.

Life-Changing Benefits of Practicing Mindfulness, for Kids

Mindfulness meditation or mindfulness practice can help children cope form anxiety, and stress, and help them feel the joy of being present in the moment. So without any further ado, let us explore the innate benefits of mindfulness for kids -

  • Reduces Stress -
    The goal of mindfulness is to provide kids with peaceful ways to deal with stress and anxiety. Mindfulness for kids can help to shift their focus from worrying about the past or future to what is happening in the present.

  • Improves focus -
    Executive function is a cognitive skill set performed by the brain that enables kids to focus on tasks, and follow the directions provided, all of which, while being able to handle their emotions. Kids need these skills in their day-to-day life. And practising mindfulness has shown proven results of improving focus among children, and enhancing their executive function skill set!

  • Promotes social interaction -
    Difficulty interacting, and the lack of communication with others can lead to problems with learning and understanding. However, mindfulness for kids programs have been shown to improve these skills and lead to positive results.

Mindfulness Activity for Kids

Below are just some of the mindfulness activities for kids that you can incorporate into their daily routine, so as to ensure that they remain focused and stress-free -

  • Mindfulness Yoga -
    Mindfulness yoga is a great way to connect breathing and body movements, which may help bring your child’s awareness to the present moment. Practising mindfulness through yoga can be made fun, all while incorporating various aspects of meditation, like deep breathing.

  • Mindful Eating -
    Eating is a sensory experience. And when kids see food in front of them, they can smell its aroma, and taste the flavour. Moreover, they can feel the texture of the food with their tongue. Hence, when you practise mindful eating with school-age kids, it can help build their stamina.

  • Model mindfulness -
    One of the best ways to encourage mindfulness for kids is to start the journey of practising mindfulness yourself. This is because kids learn from their environment, and in particular from their caregivers. So if you practise what you preach, it can have a big impact on your child too.

Key Takeaways

Research indicates that incorporating mindfulness techniques into your kid’s everyday life has powerful benefits for your child and their overall well-being. The effectiveness of mindfulness techniques can differ from child to child, but it is important to be consistent in the journey. Moreover, mindfulness must be practised every day. At Podar Education Network, we understand the importance of mindfulness for kids. Hence we aim to deliver holistic, integrated and empowering learning experiences through mindful classrooms, with intensive curricular and teaching methods.

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