Using mindfulness with children.
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Mindfulness is being used more and more in both primary and secondary schools, and there is a growing body of research suggesting that it may help children with matters concerning:
- stress and anxiety - anger management - behaviour issues - concentration - decision making - greater self-awareness |
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It may also help children with specific needs such as ASD or ADHD.
Children are often naturally mindful. They live very much in the present moment. They experience things as if they are experiencing them for the first time – often because they are! – without a lack of awareness that often comes with having experienced things over and over again as adults have. Adults are often prone to live life on ‘automatic pilot’ whereas children don’t do this quite so much.
Mindfulness is often described as ‘being fully aware of the present moment, without judgement’. It is said that if you are experiencing anxiety, you are living with your thoughts based in the future; if you are experiencing depression, then your thoughts are based in the past. And this is the same with children.
Whether as children or adults, we are prone to get swept along with our reactions and emotions. Mindfulness helps us to become more aware of our thought processes; and more aware of reality as it actually is, in this very moment.
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A mindfulness session with a child, or group of children, may look very different to one carried out with adults. Although being still with their eyes gently closed may be agreeable to some children, it is likely that it will not be for a good majority. And this does not matter. |
If a child can be encouraged, in a gentle way, to experience life in the present moment, in all its fullness – using their sense of vision, hearing, smell, touch and taste – then all well and good. They can also be guided to recognise their thought processes more and more, enabling them to put a little distance between what they think and what they do.
It is often beneficial if a conversation can be had between me and the primary adult voicing the concern beforehand, instead of letting the child hear the anxieties the adult may have.
In the mindfulness session itself, various activities may be suggested based on the information provided beforehand. These could include a guided meditation, with eyes open or closed, if that is what is deemed more suitable; or more practical activities such as observations, listening or tasting activities. In most sessions, the child will be encouraged to explore their thought processes, to a lesser or greater extent depending on the child’s ability and willingness.
Any mindfulness session will be tailor-made to suit the child’s age, maturity, ability and presenting issues.
Considerations when choosing a mindfulness practitioner to work with your child:
- they should be suitably qualified and experienced
- they should be a member of a regulating body such as the CNHC
- they should possess an up-to-date DBS/CRB certificate
Any mindfulness practitioner, including myself, should always expect a parent or carer to be present at all times when seeing a child.
* I am a qualified Teacher of Mindfulness * I have 20 years experience as a primary school teacher
* I am a member of the APHP and CNHC, and licentiate member of the NCH
* I possess an enhanced DBS/CRB certificate
* I am fully professionally insured
It is important that you find the right mindfulness practitioner for your child. Everyone involved should feel comfortable and at ease, both with the practitioner and with the process as a whole.
Please do get in touch with any questions you may have.
It is often beneficial if a conversation can be had between me and the primary adult voicing the concern beforehand, instead of letting the child hear the anxieties the adult may have.
In the mindfulness session itself, various activities may be suggested based on the information provided beforehand. These could include a guided meditation, with eyes open or closed, if that is what is deemed more suitable; or more practical activities such as observations, listening or tasting activities. In most sessions, the child will be encouraged to explore their thought processes, to a lesser or greater extent depending on the child’s ability and willingness.
Any mindfulness session will be tailor-made to suit the child’s age, maturity, ability and presenting issues.
Considerations when choosing a mindfulness practitioner to work with your child:
- they should be suitably qualified and experienced
- they should be a member of a regulating body such as the CNHC
- they should possess an up-to-date DBS/CRB certificate
Any mindfulness practitioner, including myself, should always expect a parent or carer to be present at all times when seeing a child.
* I am a qualified Teacher of Mindfulness * I have 20 years experience as a primary school teacher
* I am a member of the APHP and CNHC, and licentiate member of the NCH
* I possess an enhanced DBS/CRB certificate
* I am fully professionally insured
It is important that you find the right mindfulness practitioner for your child. Everyone involved should feel comfortable and at ease, both with the practitioner and with the process as a whole.
Please do get in touch with any questions you may have.