School can be stressful for children with exams, homework, and social life to juggle. Mindfulness is a way of elevating that stress. It refers to the “grounding” techniques used to shift focus. It offers ways in which individuals can connect to the present moment and be less concerned about their worries. This usually involves engaging with your surroundings and using the 5 senses (touch, taste, sound, sight, and smell). We have teamed up with a well-known private school to share some of these techniques with you below.

Counting Candles

This one is for parents with younger children. They tend to need a little more effort to engage, and a way that you can hold their attention is through a technique known as “counting candles”. Essentially, your fingers will act as candles and need to blow out each until they have been fully extinguished. 

Mindful Walking

Walking is good for the body and mind. It releases endorphins and helps you to keep active. While walking, there are lots that children can think about, such as the birds they hear chirping and what they can see around them. This can all help them to feel engaged with their surroundings and less concerned about their worries. 

Mindful Eating

Food can bring us joy and gives us things to focus on. There are many unique flavours and textures in the food we eat that we can appreciate. So, at the dinner table, encourage your child to spend a little longer finishing their food and have conversations about what they are eating. 

Mindful Breathing

Breathing techniques are often paired with other techniques as they help to regulate the flow of oxygen. This is important because it allows us to think clearly and calm down. When anxious, our breathing can get quicker and shallower, which can contribute to the breathlessness that we feel.

Conclusion

The best part about using mindful techniques with chilsren is that they are discreet yet effective methods of supporting emotional and mental wellbeing and can help you add a new dimension to your lifestyle. They don’t even need to know this is what you are doing. You are simply building good habits into your lifestyle.