What is mindfulness?

Mindfulness is about being present and aware of your thought, feelings and surroundings without judgement. It's like being fully engaged with what's happening in the moment, without getting carried away by your thoughts or feeling overwhelmed. 

Why is mindfulness good for children?

Mindfulness practice can provide numerous benefits for children, including improved focus, enhanced emotional regulation, and reduce stress and anxiety. It can also lead to better academic performance, improved self-esteem, and greater overall well-being

Activities

Mindful Breathing:

• Belly Breathing: Encourage your child to lie down and focus on their breath, imagining a balloon inflating and deflating in their tummy. 

• Finger Breathing: Guide your child to breathe slowly and deeply, tracing a line on a breathing board with their finger.
  Rainbow Bubble Breathing: Combine guided imagery with controlled breathing, visualising a rainbow bubble. 

Sound and Listening Activities:

• Listening Walks: Take your child on a walk and have them focus on the sounds around them, like the wind or birds. 

• Sound Meditation: Encourage your child to listen to calming sounds while relaxing. 

Mindful Eating:

• Savour Your Food: Encourage your chid to eat slowly and focus on the taste, texture, and smell of their food.
  One Mindful Bite: Have your child take one slow, mindful bite of their snack, paying attention to the senses. 

Nature and Sensory Activities:

• Nature Walk: Engage all five senses while exploring nature, focusing on the sights, smells, sounds, textures, and tastes. 

• Mindful Art: Engage in creative activities like drawing, painting, or crafting, while focusing on the present moment. 

• Glitter Jar: Create a glitter jar by layering glitter, water, and oil in a jar, watching the glitter settle as a visual representation of the mind settling.
  
  

Other Mindfulness Activities:

• Mindful Playtime: Encourage your child to focus on their games and toys, noticing the details and the sensations of playing.
  Mindful Bath time: Make bath time a mindful experience by focusing on the sounds, textures, and sensations of the water.
  Gratitude Exercise:
  Have kids share things they are grateful for, either verbally, in pictures or in writing.
  Mindful Colouring: Use colouring books to encourage focus and relaxation.
  Journaling: Encourage your child to write down their thoughts and feelings, reflecting on their experiences.
  
  

Tips for Introducing Mindfulness to your Child:

• Practice Together: Engage in mindful activities with your child to make it more engaging and fun. 

• Keep it Fun: Use playful language and activities to keep children interested. 

• Short & Sweet: Start with short mindfulness practices and gradually increase the duration. 

• Use Visual Aids: Use visual cues, like breathing boards or glitter jars, to help kids understand and stay focused. 

• Make it a Habit: Incorporate mindfulness into daily routines, like bedtime or mealtime.

There are a lot more different mindfulness activities, the above are just a few.  A quick internet search will yield more results.