How to Teach Children Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a hot word these days, with more and more studies proving its importance. But what is mindfulness? Mindfulness is the ability to be aware of the present moment, the people and environment around you, and your emotions and thoughts. Being mindful helps you to communicate with people better, regulate your emotions more efficiently, and appreciate even insignificant events in your life. But becoming aware of your feelings and the feelings of others can be challenging even for a grown-up person. That’s why it is crucial to start teaching people mindfulness at a very young age: with time and practice, kids will eventually become aware of their surroundings with less effort than us. Here we present a few easy ways of developing mindfulness in children.
Notice and name body sensations, thoughts, and emotions
Unlike adults, little kids are unfamiliar with all the sensations they encounter. It may be overwhelming to experience something and not be able to explain how you feel or why you feel this way. Put more attention into your child’s behavior: notice their feelings and explain what they are and how they occur. Your explanations will help children understand themselves better and define the reasons for their behavior. Thus, when kids learn to express their thoughts properly, there will be less room for misunderstanding, fewer tantrums, and more mindful conversations.
Teach by examples
We should remember that children’s primary source of knowledge about the world is their parents. Therefore, the best way to teach your kid something is to show them an example. Talk more to your kids, show them appropriate behavioral patterns, share your thoughts and feelings, and your kids will do the same.
Ask kids about their day
Very often, parents engaged in work and house chores neglect their children. Nevertheless, no matter how busy you are, spare time to talk about your kid’s day. This way, your child will become aware of the present and past moments and learn the importance of involvement in their family members’ deals. Moreover, by getting your attention, they will feel important and loved.
Take different walking routes
Usually, when moms and dads take their offspring on a walk, they go to the closest playground by a familiar path. It is a reasonable decision: parents save time, and kids develop valuable social connections with their playground mates. However, it is also essential to let your child explore other places to learn about the neighborhood and natural environment in their area. You may try a new path to your usual playground or take kids to a different playground or park you’ve never visited. Go on a family trip to a seashore or lake. Try a picnic in the forest. Children will become more aware of the amazing world surrounding them by discovering new places. Moreover, such journeys will help you create strong bound and precious memories.
Conclusion
Developing mindfulness in your child is an important mission. However, you shouldn’t force it; people become more aware naturally with the time and experience they get. Support your kid and develop your consciousness together.
