We view mindfulness within a regulation first approach, grounded in both neuroscience and child development these resources are designed to help busy homes and classrooms and provide a link between school and home.
Take a few minutes each day to focus on your breath.
Sit comfortably, close your eyes, and take slow, deep breaths. Notice the sensation of the breath entering and leaving your body.
If we don’t let go of our breathe there is no room for a new one.
The more this is practised during moments that are peaceful the easier it will be to draw on your breath in the difficult moments.
When you or the child you are with is experiencing big emotions – pausing taking a breath and saying to yourself :
1. This is a difficult moment for me and this child
2. Difficult moments are part of my role here, each difficult moment has a different degree or flavour.
3. May I be kind to myself in this difficult moment, place your hand on your heart or on your tummy and just breathe. This will allow you to bring awareness to yourself with kindness and compassion and in turn give this to others.
Notice where your body feels relaxed, tight, warm or heavy without trying to change anything.
Pause at various momets of the day and listen to the sounds outside the classroom, inside the classroom, inside yourself.
Bringing mindful awareness to snack times noticing, flavours, colours, shapes, textures, smell. A mini senses lesson!
Take a few moments each day to reflect one thing you are grateful for, this may take time for some children but the benefits are huge.
They could draw or write this in a gratitude journal.
Walking slowly to another classroom or outside, paying attention to the sights, sounds, smells and sensations around you.
Simple moments throughout the day help children settle their nervous system on an ongoing basis.
Research shows that regular mindfulness practice supports emotional regulation, attention, stress reduction and overall wellbeing for both adults and children.
What teachers and parents notice:
At Connected Childhood we combine mindfulness with current understanding of neuroscience, nervous system regulation, play therapy, child development and teaching to create practical strategies that work in classrooms and at home.
