5 Mindfulness Activities for Young Children

Mindfulness can be defined as paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally.  Research indicates that mindfulness techniques in school aged children can help to improve: sense of wellbeing, ability to focus, relaxation and self regulation.  Although mindfulness practices have not been studied in younger children (i.e. preschoolers) extensively, young children do experience a fast paced, hurried, high pressure, high technology lifestyle and mindfulness techniques may help young children’s well being in school and at home.

Here are 5 mindfulness activities for young children:

1. yoga poses for children
2. guided meditation and visualization – try this Triathlon imagination action journey that combines visualization with movement.
3. reflective breathing – try bumble bee breathing
4. specific games designed to support children’s deeper awareness of their own feelings and thoughts.
5. specific games designed to support children’s deeper awareness of their own behaviors and reactions.  Read about 10 games that help to develop self regulation skills.

Read more on Mindfulness and Yoga for School Children.

Read more on Sensory Processing Styles and Mindfulness.

Read more on Self Regulation and Yoga in Preschoolers.

Read more about self regulation skills or check out the Self Regulation Skills Curriculum – Work, Move, Breathe.

Reference:  Erwin, E. J., Robinson, K. A., McGrath, G. S., & Harney, C. J. (2017). “It’s Like Breathing In Blue Skies and Breathing Out Stormy Clouds” Mindfulness Practices in Early Childhood. Young Exceptional Children, 20(2), 69-85.

Breathing Breaks: This digital download is a collection of 16 deep breathing exercises and 3 tip sheets. Deep breathing exercises can help to decrease stress, reduce anxiety, remain calm, strengthen sustained attention, sharpen the ability to learn and more! This packet includes 16 full page breathing exercises and 3 tips sheets in color or black and white. In addition, the breathing exercises are provided 4 to a page to make smaller cards or booklets.  FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION.

The post 5 Mindfulness Activities for Young Children appeared first on Your Therapy Source.

Why Do Children Need Opportunities to Use New Motor Skills They Learn?

During therapy sessions, we frequently break down activities into smaller parts or chunks to make it easier for children to learn new motor or life skills.  As the child progresses with those individual parts of the skill, the child then practices the entire activity as a whole. Sometimes this is done in an isolated environment (ie therapy room) and sometimes in the real environment (ie classroom).

Keep in mind, in order for the child to learn and retain the skill, the child must apply that skill in meaningful and functional activities.  This helps to lay the neural networks to achieve and retain the skill.

After the child completes the skill provide formal and informal feedback to help them improve. Use self assessment techniques allowing the child to determine what needs improvements.   This will again help lay the groundwork for strong neural networks for the skill.

So why do children need meaningful opportunities to practice new motor or life skills?  It creates strong neural networks in order to transfer the skill in different situations or to learn additional new skills.

The post Why Do Children Need Opportunities to Use New Motor Skills They Learn? appeared first on YourTherapySource.com Blog.