MindfulNESS for Children 7 - 11
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could pack a tool kit for our children, full of the life skills necessary to equip them for the many and varied pressures that come their way ? With mindfulness we can !
I trained with a company called ‘Youth Mindfulness’ one of a couple of organisations that featured in a cross party government report, which recommended mindfulness teaching in schools.
The ‘Youth Mindfulness’ programme is a course of 16 lessons, with a strong emphasis on experimental learning.
The lessons build sequentially, introducing and exploring new facets of mindfulness with each lesson. The first six lessons focus on building the foundations of mindfulness, developing focus, awareness and calm. As the course progresses, children then learn to apply mindfulness to handle difficult thoughts and emotions, to cultivate gratitude and to develop an attitude of kindness towards themselves and others.
Mindfulness is taught in a fun and age appropriate way. Each lesson typically includes both quiet mindfulness practice and mindful movement, games, videos, exploration and discussion. For mindfulness to be mindfulness, it has to come from within – as such it’s crucial that the lessons are engaging and interesting !
Mindfulness teaches children to be present for the good things in life, helps them to be more resilient and to cope with stress and difficulty. It fosters greater self-knowledge, promotes calm and facilitates focus. It enables children to respond to life’s challenges with greater wisdom and flexibility.
The evidence suggests that, where it is available, children benefit enormously, both personally and academically. Schools are beginning to see these benefits play out in the classroom.
I teach the ‘Youth Mindfulness’ programme within schools as part of the school curriculum.I can also tailor the programme to shorter extra-curricular clubs and also work one-on-one with individuals. Children are endlessly creative and open to new ideas and learning. It is a joy to see children develop in self-awareness and confidence as they bring mindfulness into their lives.
Please contact me to discuss how I can introduce the magic of mindfulness to your school, club or child:
