Getting and staying mindful in 2023 (#5 of 52 - Mindfulness For Children)

Jan 27, 2023

Happier, Healthier, and More Stress Free in 2023!

#5 of 52 - Mindfulness for Children

Hello! Jon Macaskill here again, mindfulness coach from the Men Talking Mindfulness podcast; The Deliberate Discomfort Challenge; and Macaskill Consulting/Keynote Speaking. This is the 5th of 52 weekly Mindfully Happy Newsletters from us to help you become happier, healthier, and more stress free in 2023!

Last week, we discussed mindfulness for parents. This week, we are looking at the other side of this relationship - the children. While some may think that mindfulness and meditation is only for adults, they can be powerful practices for children too.

All the benefits we get as adults can be experienced by our children (or, if you’re not a parent, by your nieces, nephews, students, etc.). Benefits include more focus, fewer tantrums, better communication, greater creativity, improved listening, more clear and deeper comprehension, and improved cognitive abilities to name only a few. Not only do THEY benefit but we as the adults in their lives benefit from their practicing too (who else could use fewer tantrums and better listening!? 🙋🏼‍♂️).

Now, getting children to start living mindfully can be tricky but it’s definitely doable. Here are a few ideas:

1) Let them see you practicing. They often will want to emulate your actions.

2) Spend time outside in nature intentionally and without technology. Play variants of “I Spy” having them not only point out what they see, but also what they hear, smell, feel (physically and emotionally), and perhaps, if you have a chance to eat something, ask them what they taste.

3) Help them to learn some basic breathing exercises by having them imagine a candle in front of them and have them “blow out”’ the imaginary candle with their exhalation and then “reignite”’ it with their deep inhalation. Even 3 or 4 breaths like this can help.

4) Play with them and truly be in the moment (without your phone!). Here again, they will follow your examples.

What ideas have YOU used to help your children live more mindfully? We’d love to share your ideas on our podcast or with our audiences on social media.

This week I’ve added:

A mindfulness workbook with some more general information on mindfulness and some more ideas on ways to practice.
Some information on an upcoming Leadership Conference I'm working on with 3 other amazing veterans - it'll include lots of mindfulness and meditation but also powerful leadership lessons!
TWO short snippets from our recent Men Talking Mindfulness Podcast interview with Ali and Atman Smith of the Holistic Life Foundation where they are teaching mindfulness to inner city children in Baltimore. The full episode is also available on our YouTube channel.

Please let me know if you’ve got any questions or anything you’d like to see incorporated into future newsletters. Have a wonderful week!

With utmost respect and gratitude,

Jon

Mindfulness Workbook

The Buffalo Leadership Conference

21 July at the beautiful Glen Eyrie Castle in Colorado Springs

Learn more here!

How Mindfulness is Helping Lower School Suspensions

How Love Changes Traumatized Children

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