The first step in any mindfulness activity is to pick something that feels good. Having a dance party with a shy child who doesn't like dancing will put them into their heads and out of the moment.
Since mindfulness is all about engaging all our senses and being in the moment, finding a joyful activity is the way to go. It allows them to enjoy the moment and most likely repeat the activity again, building on their life skills and helping them better cope with big feelings or situations in their lives. Creating this safe space will allow them to open up and build trust if they need to talk something out.
Set aside time each week or every few weeks to do an activity that suits each child. It is even better if there's an activity that everyone can do together.
The skills they learn in participating in mindful activities include autonomy, resilience, self-care, communication and self-awareness.
Here are some tips for setting up a mindful activity:
Create a welcoming and nurturing environment.
Learn what they like to do more. Each child will be different, whether it's being outside riding bikes, painting and being creative, or just having tea with you.
Limit distractions: turn off the TV, put your phone on silent, and if music is playing, make sure it's turned down low. The goal is to create a safe space for them to be themselves and be in the moment.
10 Mindful Activity Ideas:
Spend time in nature: walk, ride bicycles or swim at the beach.
Be creative: paint, colour in, draw or journal.
Have a dance party.
Play an instrument or learn a new one.
Self-care: Use face masks, clean rooms, or do anything else to care for yourself.
Play board games.
Spend time with animals.
Make food or bake.
Have a tea party.
Put together a puzzle while listening to music.
If you're looking for more mindful activities, join our app Coobari and discover a whole world of social and emotional learning activities, mindfulness and animations.
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