Mindfulness

Mindfulness is being present and aware of what is happening in the moment, and particularly very young children are naturally mindful.

Watch a child make a mud pie, play in the bath or discover bugs hiding under a stone and they are full engrossed in the activity, they aren’t concerned with what they are doing later, or judging others, they are present enjoying the feeling of mud between their fingers or watching water pour out of a jug and having a great time in the process. However, as children get older, other factors have an impact on behaviour and with constant distractions particularly from technology, and worrying how others may perceive them etc, this natural ability to be mindful, gets lost. How many times has your child looked forward to a birthday or Christmas so much that they actually miss what they are doing in that moment.

How many times have we spent days / weeks planning a children’s party only to not fully be present when its actually here as we are constantly thinking what we need to do next, rather than stopping and enjoying that moment and seeing the joy on our child’s face? Mindfulness can remind our children and ourselves to reconnect with the present moment, and young children can learn these techniques too.

It can also help calm anxieties, anger and help us all to be grateful for what we have.

It also allows us to take a step back from a situation before responding. There are many techniques which can be used, including meditations, breathing techniques, yoga even playing can help us be present.

A lovely breathing technique which is often taught in schools is the five-finger breathing technique.

If your child gets angry or upset, then this can help them to calm down.

Hold one hand out, with fingers spread.

Using the index finger of the other hand, slowly trace the open hand, starting from the left and slowly move up and down your fingers and thumb, as you move up the finger breathe in and as you move down a finger, breathe out.

Continuing breathing in and out until you have gone up and down one hand. For other techniques, take a look here .

Mindfulness is being present and aware of what is happening in the moment, and particularly very young children are naturally mindful.