*This is a collaborative post
Being mindful is the act of being fully present in a particular moment, aware of what’s going on around us as well as how we are feeling and what we’re thinking. That moment-by-moment awareness can reduce stress and anxiety because it stops us worrying about things from the past or things that haven’t happened yet. With that said, it would be wise for parents to help their children become more mindful, but where to start? I have teamed up with a junior school in Leicestershire to share some advice.
Practise with the Little Things
Mindfulness doesn’t have to be complicated; you can practise when eating a snack or hugging a loved one, or pretty much anything else you do. The idea is to encourage your child to pay attention to moments as they happen, and appreciate them, rather than allowing special experiences to pass by without recognition. So, try and ask your child how certain experiences make them feel.
Take a Mindful Walk
Walking through nature is a great chance to practise mindfulness because it’s a sensory experience. Take a walk through the woods and encourage your child to be fully present by asking them what they can see, feel, hear, smell or even taste. Prompt them by sharing something of your own, like the leave crunching beneath your feet or the wind through your hair. Again, this will help them to appreciate the experience and take their mind off of anything else that might be worrying them.
Discuss What You’re Grateful For
Each night after school, ask your child to share something they are grateful for that day, no matter how small. If they don’t want to tell you, perhaps they could write it down in a journal. By practising gratitude daily, your child will start to focus on the positives in life rather than concentrating on the things they don’t have.
