School is over, the heat is rising, and our kids (and some of us adults) are starting to get a little stir-crazy…
Take some time this week to “cool down” by practicing mindfulness — the state of being present in the moment — with your family. There are a variety of techniques and activities for kids of all ages to explore as they calm their bodies and minds. Whether it’s meditation, yoga, belly breathing, self-care affirmations, or an emotional check-in, studies show these types of actions are truly beneficial; they improve emotional regulation, working memory, attention and academic performance, and reduce anxiety levels.
Keep scrolling to learn about different mindfulness and self-care exercises to try today!
Cool, Calm & Collected
Pressing Pause: How Mindfulness Helps Kids
All children have times when they become overwhelmed, overloaded, or overstimulated. Mindfulness is a method of pressing the “pause button,” allowing kids to regroup and re-enter a situation with greater calm. Learn more with four tips you can use with your kids.
Why Yoga and Kids Go Together
Yoga is about exploring and learning in a fun, safe and playful way. Yoga and kids are a perfect match. Read this article to find out what children (and adults!) can learn from yoga.
How Mindfulness Can Help Kids (and Parents!) Weather Emotional Storms
Mindfulness tools won’t prevent emotional storms. Sometimes, that’s just what it means to be a kid (and an adult!). Yet being aware of our thoughts, our emotions, our surroundings and our breathing can help us remain anchored while we wait for the clouds to pass.
Breathing Exercises to Help Calm Young Children
How do we support our kids during emotional storms? And what can we do during calm moments to strengthen their emotional toolkit? Try these 10 tips for helping kids practice breathing and emotional mindfulness.
11 Simple Self-Care Habits for Kids
Self-care isn’t selfish — it’s a basic need of being human! By teaching your child simple acts of self-care and including nurturing routines into your family life, you can show that taking care of ourselves, and each other, is important.
Books, Activities, and More!
Guided Mindfulness Practice | Kindness in the Classroom
Grades PreK-K
Practice bringing mindfulness into your life by participating in this short, guided mindfulness exercise from PBS Wisconsin Education’s Kindness in the Classroom, a multi-part video series designed to give educators insight into the positive impacts of teaching mindfulness in a classroom setting.
Practice Mindfulness With Belly Breathing
Grades PreK-4
During stressful or intense emotional moments, children may not have the coping skills to calm themselves. Diaphragmatic breathing, also known as belly breathing, is a calming exercise that both children and parents can practice to relax and feel grounded, and one that children as young as three can practice.
Make Healthy Snacks as a Family
Grades PreK-5
Having a healthy body is a key step in having a healthy mind. Get tips on how to incorporate healthy eating and quality time into your family’s routine.
Make a Mindfulness Glitter Jar
Grades K-3
Make and keep this glitter jar on hand to help your child relax and calm down the next time things become overwhelming.
Encouragement Jar
Grades 1-3
Daily encouragements help kids learn to support themselves when the going gets tough, as well as start the day off right! Your child can pull a card from their jar every morning or whenever she needs a boost.
Kindness, Empathy, and Resilience Collection
Grades 6-12
This collection of videos and lesson plans is about kindness, empathy, and the importance of practicing mindfulness. These resources will help parents and educators foster resilience in kids, and include strategies to help teenagers cope with the stresses of everyday life, as well as specific challenges.