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A Beginner’s Guide to Simplicity Parenting with Kim John Payne

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What is simplicity parenting?

I first heard this term from Kim John Payne in his book Simplicity Parenting. He offers simple, organized, and effective pathways to simplify your homelife.

In other words, Kim John Payne guides his readers towards simplicity parenting which ultimately reduces stress in the family.

So, the result? 

More connection, creativity, and calm.

Why Simplicity Parenting?

Every day I imagine a life with less.

Like most of us, I am a busy person, often over stimulated by the things and people in my environment and rarely give my family and myself the luxury of slowing down. Maybe that is why I am the exact person who should be writing this post: Simplifying my family’s life is something I work on every single day.

I read a lot about it.

I think a lot about it.

The thing is changing behavior takes time and practice.

12+ Ideas for Simple Parenting

  1. Learn to Say No – I read a phrase recently that sums this one up: “Dial back the schedules allowing for time and connection with your child.” I over commit and over schedule my life. I am getting much better at it but prepare to feel a bit lonely and isolated at first, at least that has been my experience. This transition takes time.
  2. Purge  – By far one of my favorites!  We’ve moved twice in the last year and I was thrilled to purge, purge, purge. Not easy to do but believe me when I say: “you will not think about those ‘things’ you give away, consign or (gasp!) toss into the garbage.” Start with the “things” that actually make you unhappy. You don’t like looking at them or they are broken for example.
  3. Rotate – Once you’ve purged all those things that make you unhappy and your home cluttered, when it comes to your children’s toys: rotate, rotate, rotate. You and your children will be much better for it, I promise.
  4. De-clutter by way of Stimulation – Removing the “things” from your environment is a phenomenal first step but go beyond that step. Think about how you can decrease the stimulation in your life by changing the lighting and the sounds of your home. Maybe the television can be hidden or in a separate place to avoid being the center of the home, for example.
  5. Find Balance – Whether in spirituality, nature, exercise or whatever way you personally find balance
  6. Be Proactive – Think about tomorrow the night before. Do the things you need to do to make your morning and your day go a bit smoother. For me, that means I always make sure to load the dishwasher and run it, for example. I always put at least one load of laundry through the washer and dryer. I also lay my boys clothing out and prepare our bag if we’re going out with snacks, clothing, etc.
  7. Practice Positive Discipline– Ever get tired of saying “No”? I have days when I feel so negative from being so negative with my boys disciplining them all day long. I feel drained and I am unhappy.  Positive discipline has changed our family’s life. Instead of “No, you can’t have a cookie” try saying, “Yes, you may have a cookie after dinner.” Or “If you would like to climb, let’s go outside or find a safer place.” Or “Wow, you really want to jump and move your body. That is great but please do it on the ground. The couch is meant for sitting and being still.”
  8. Read Simplicity Parenting: Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier, and More Secure Kids
  9. Step Away from the Devices – I have a really hard time with this one. When I make it happen though I see a real transformation.
  10. Find Alternatives to Time Outs – These moments are opportunities for your child to learn and to know that he is supported by the people who are the center of his world: his parents. Give a “break” to take some deep breaths is a great idea. Shutting a child down when he is most amped up can lead to a lot of confusion for the child. He isn’t contemplating his actions during a time out, he is wondering if his parents love him.
  11. Eat Well & Drink Plenty of Water
  12. Find Your Family’s Rhythm – Read Soule Mama’s Rhythm of the Seasons


These are all easier said than done, right?

I’ll take you back to my disclaimer at the beginning: “changing behavior takes time and practice.”

Related Read: 3 Myths to Simplifying Life 

Marnie

How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Respond – Communicate The Montessori Way

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Struggling with how to talk so kids will listen is a right of passage for parents and caretakers.

Learning how to improve communication with kids is not simply about getting them to act in a certain way, it is about guiding them to be better communicators, how to live peacefully, how to be kind, and to how to effectively resolve the conflict. This means knowing when to intervene, and knowing how to communicate during a conflict.

How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Respond - Communicate The Montessori Way

Related Post: What Questions to Ask Before You Intervene

How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Respond

Once you're done reading this article, you will feel more confident & more prepared to communicate with your child and to help guide your child to be a rock solid communicator.

I promise. I got your back.

Don't panic. You are not alone.

This stuff is hard. 

Toddler and preschooler communication is challenging for an adult. So, I thought I would share tips on improving communication with young children that I've gathered over the years as a parent and educator. This information will hopefully serve as a reference tool for you as you perfect your methods on how to talk so kids will listen, respond, and learn to communicate effectively.

Did you know that toddlers and preschoolers can solve their own problems? Yes, it is true!

How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Respond - Communicate The Montessori Way

“It is the child who makes the man, and no man exists who was not made by the child he once was.”
~ Dr. Maria Montessori

So, just how to talk so kids will listen? Let's get into it.

With the help and guidance of us grown-ups, who often are too quick to offer solutions without giving children the opportunity to come up with a solution on their own, children just might be able to do it.

They just might surprise us.

How to Talk So Kids Will Listen, Respond, & Learn Effective Communication Skills

The best part is that they can develop important life skills of problem-solving and decision making. Not to mention, they will feel capable and independent. Check out my book lists for children for ideas on how to help children develop key social and emotional skills.

How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Respond - Communicate The Montessori Way

During my training, I attended a wonderful Montessori presentation by a Virginia Varga. She pioneered the development of a Montessori Infant & Toddler curriculum in the 60s. Her experience with children, toddlers especially, is extensive, to say the least. She passed some of her knowledge on how to talk so kids will listen & learn to communicate effectively onto those of us lucky enough to be in her audience. 

In short, she was pretty awesome.

How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Respond - Communicate The Montessori Way

[clickToTweet tweet=”‘Yes, I am a kind, strong, capable person. I can solve problems for myself.' #parenting” quote=”‘Yes, I am a kind, strong, capable person. I can solve problems for myself.' “]

I was fascinated with her.

She emphasized that toddlers are in their prime developing a sense of identity and that, by 2 years old, the basic structure of personality is already formed in these little spirits. That is not to say that personality can't change to some extent but the basic foundation already exists in form. Even at birth, temperament is deeply embedded in who we all are. I

loved it when Virginia said, emphasizing Maria Montessori herself, “already at 3, a child is a little man”. I could not help but giggle a bit thinking about my own children and all their “personality”.

How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Respond - Communicate The Montessori Way

One theme in her Montessori presentation was how parents and educators are too quick to problem solve for children, that we are given many opportunities to guide them to make decisions on their own but we choose to offer solutions instead of asking questions.

Conflict resolution is a life skill. Helping children understand and process their emotions, and then manage them is a life skill. I am guilty. I am betting I am not alone in this boat.

How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Respond - Communicate The Montessori WayDownload Now!

I got so much out of her talk that I had to share some of the specific communication tactics with you.

10 Ways to Absolutely Improve Communication with Kids

  • Acknowledge and identify feelings: “I notice that you are mad. Is that because Ben took the truck away from you?”
    • Let's the child know that his feelings have been heard by us. Recognizing and responding to needs and wants to be expressed through feelings changes a child's behavior.
  • Interpret the experience: “It looks like you both want the truck”
    • Let's the child know that someone understands him, instead of saying “Your brother wants the truck”, offer an interpretation.
  • Report the observation: “You would like the truck but Ben took it from you”
    • Let's the child process the situation
  • Repeat the “complaint” – “You said the bike is not working”
    • Along the same lines as the above two, repeating the complaint not only makes the child feel heard, it also gives adult time to think about next steps.
  • Ask questions – “How is it broken?” “Why won't it go?” What would like to happen now?”
    • Asking a question stimulates thinking and reduces stress to the brain allowing for (better) problem solving and decision making. Don't immediately suggest an option to solve the problem. Allow the child(ren) time to think about how to solve the problem offer solutions and feel capable.

How to Talk So Kids Listen & Respond

How to Talk to Kids So They Will Listen, Respond & Learn

  • Wait for the Answer – Don't ask a question and then let the child run away or you or the child get distracted by something. Ask the question and wait for and expect an answer. If the child runs away, bring him back into the situation by saying, “I asked XYZ, what is your answer?”
  • End a Question with a Question – If you ask the child “Would you like to share the truck with Ben?” and he says, “No”, continue by asking, “How do you think that makes Ben feel?” or “When can Ben play with the truck?”
  • Model Thinking – We all sometimes talk to ourselves out loud. Modeling thinking is similar. Say something like, “I think Ben & Ethan will probably find a way to solve the problem.”
  • Respect children's wants and needs– Never force a child to share his things. If he is playing with a truck and his brother takes that truck away, instead of requesting that he share the truck, ask him and if he says, “no”, ask him when he might be ready to share his truck. Children can be very generous when given the opportunity to do so.
  • Facilitate peaceful decision-making – Keep the problem within the children. Guide them to solve the problem together. Don't solve it for them.

How to Better Communicate with Kids

You can not start too young with this approach. The approach takes practice and repetition. Even the youngest child who may not have the words to respond can take words into his world. He understands.

In my Montessori at Home Guide for Parents, I offer loads more helpful tips to add to your toolbox, ready for use!

[clickToTweet tweet=”‘By gently leading a child across the bridge you can celebrate the joy of psychological birth.'” quote=”‘By gently leading a child across the bridge you can celebrate the joy of psychological birth.'”]

I will end with a quote from the presentation: “By following and gently leading the child ‘across the bridge' you can celebrate the joy of the child's psychological birth. A child is a person “I am” and “I can”. There is so much more to write on this topic so indeed expect more to come…we can help our children be peaceful and bring peace to their minds and hearts.

Thanks for visiting…come back soon.

I hope we inspired you today!
Marnie

The Best Methods to Bring Mindfulness into the Classroom

By Leave a Comment Filed Under: Anxiety In Kids, Classroom Tagged With: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure for more info.

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This post outlines easy & effective ways to bring mindfulness in the classroom. Mindfulness seems to be a buzzword these days capturing headlines and infiltrating all aspects of life. There are mindfulness apps, mindfulness exercises for families, mindfulness activities for kids, and books galore about the topic.
 
The ubiquitousness of the word itself – maybe even the practice of mindfulness – might get an eye roll or two. Here is the thing, though, a myriad of scientific research studies back up the positive impact mindfulness has on human existence. So, integrating mindfulness in the classroom makes a lot of sense.
Effective & Easy Ways to Practice Mindfulness in the Classroom

Mindfulness in the Classroom

Just what does it mean to be mindful? According to Merriam-Webster, mindfulness is “the practice of maintaining a nonjudgmental state of heightened or complete awareness of one's thoughts, emotions, or experiences on a moment-to-moment basis”. Regardless of the science, there isn't much of a downfall with mindfulness.
 
Is mindfulness just another fad? Or is it something more, something that actually has a positive impact, especially on our youth? Mindfulness is not a craze. It is a practice that is rooted in science. Mindfulness is proven to have a strong and beneficial effect on people of all ages.
 
When introduced at a young age, kids will grow up with increased cognitive awareness and a higher degree of self-regulation. Plus with all the headlines about increasing rates of anxiety and depression in kids, mindfulness is a low-risk approach to mitigate those statistics.
 

So, let's get started on exploring ways to bring mindfulness in the classroom.

Mindfulness Activities for Preschoolers in the Classroom

Kids are ripe for beginning a mindfulness practice. There are some really easy, fun, and engaging mindfulness exercises for students that will help kids focus and less anxious. Some of these activities allow children to learn the practice without even feeling like they're learning one of the most important skills a person can learn: self-awareness and self-regulation.

One of the easiest ways to teach mindfulness activities for preschoolers is to have them play sensory games. These games can be played from the comfort of their seats, outside, or even on the bus on the way to a field trip. Sensory games have kids use their senses as a means for increasing awareness of their environment as well as their place within that environment. Listening activities for kids are a fantastic means of being more present. We love going on a listening walk to clear our minds and get a bit of fresh air. 

Easy and Inexpensive Mindfulness Exercises for Kids

The quickest way to get little ones using their senses is by using their bodies – no other “materials” are needed!

Have students keep their eyes open and count five things in the room that they can see. Then, have them close their eyes and count four sounds that they hear. Afterward, have them count three things that they can either touch or is touching them (ie the chair they are sitting in). For two, have them count two things they can smell (this one will be sure to give you a laugh or two!). Finally, for the last one, instead of taste, which might be a little much for younger ones, have them engage in some self-love by coming up with one thing they like about themselves.

Mindfulness Activity for Preschoolers & Kindergarteners

#1 – Glitter Jar 

Another fun way to teach mindfulness to preschool-aged kids is by using a glitter jar. Don't worry – there won't be glitter on little hands after this practice. Instead, you can either buy or make a sensory jar that is filled with water, glue (for bonding), and glitter.

Much like an old-school sand timer, glitter jars help children with sensory sensitivities and anxiety. They also increase their awareness. After shaking the jar, you can have the students practice mindful breathing while the glitter settles to the bottom. You can also use the jar to teach an awareness of how our reactions work. Have the kids begin to think of their happy or angry emotions as the glitter swirls. Then, begin to notice how time allows these pieces of glitter, and therefore their emotions, to steady out and sink to the bottom again. This exercise is really a good one for kids of all ages!

#2 – The Calm Competition

Do you remember the good ol' days when your parents and teachers would play the quiet game? They might not have been aware of or even trying to teach you the benefits of mindfulness, but whether they were intentional or not, they were helping you engage in mindfulness.

With a few explicit instructions, though, and sharing of your intentions, you can teach mindfulness activities for kindergarten aged kids with a similar tactic to the one your parents may have used for some peace and quiet.

This mind game offers a win-win situation. Kids love to compete, and we love to teach our younger students how to be calm and present. By presenting mindfulness in the form of a game, you might not be able to get your four to six-year-olds to be still for hours at a time. However, you'll definitely instill in them techniques for being present in a way that doesn't seem like a chore to them.

All you need for this mindfulness practice is a timer. Start small. On the first day, set the timer for one minute and challenge your students to be still by practicing deep breaths in and out. Silently count in for three breaths, hold for two breaths, and exhale for three breaths. Over time, you can have kids work their way up to two or even three minutes!

Breathing exercises are also an effective mindfulness activity.

Mindfulness Activities In the Classroom

What better way to teach mindfulness activities than bringing in an awareness of the body itself? You've probably heard of elementary teachers having students engage in brain breaks by practicing a body scan. What is a body scan, and how is it such an effective tool for toddlers and younger children? The body scan teaches kids active listening, body awareness, and awareness of their environment.

#1 – Body Scan 

There are several ways to incorporate a body scan into your classroom. Find a script for body scans online if you need one. Then slowly read it to the kids as they close their eyes and follow along. You can also find a body scan video online. Simply play the video and follow along with your students. Both options are great tools for helping increase mindfulness for kids in your classroom. Headspace is also a great app that many teachers use to bring mindfulness in the classroom.

#2 – The Heartbeat Game 

Another great way to teach mindfulness to kids by using the body is by playing the heartbeat game. You start by having the kids close their eyes while sitting down. They can put their right hand over the heart and count their heartbeat for one minute. Afterward, have them move by engaging in jumping jacks or running in place for thirty seconds to a minute.

Next, have them take a seat and repeat the hand over the heart exercise. After the second heartbeat count, have them compare the numbers they got when resting and after exercising. This mindfulness practice not only teaches an awareness of the body but also helps improve kids' focus. Plus, it gets them moving in the middle of the day when they need to get their wiggles out! It's another win-win situation.

Additional Mindfulness in the Classroom Resources

15 of the Best Montessori Parents Quotes

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The Montessori theory in my view must be applied to all areas of life far extending the boundaries of the classroom. These inspirational quotes for parents highlight that belief.

Montessori is a way of life that must not end and begin at the classroom door. Montessori's philosophy extends out into the world and into the home. Subsequently, Montessori parents are an integral part of that extension and must pay close attention to their child's development. This is part of parents love for their children.

Powerful Montessori Quotes for Parents Raising Independent Kids

Montessori Quotes for Parents

“The greatness of human personality begins at the hour of birth.” 

This is the moment a child begins to experience the world and all its sensory glory. Children are our biggest blessings in the world but we must remember that a child is his own spirit and person.

“Children must grow not only in the body but in the spirit, and the mother longs to follow the mysterious spiritual journey of the beloved one who to-morrow will be the intelligent, divine creation, man.”  

There is a delicate balance between guiding and observing a child as he leads his own development. Yes, we are role models but we must allow the child to explore and discover on his own.

“The essence of independence is to be able to do something for one’s self.”  

Parents offer unconditional love and this love should be within the context of helping a child developing independence.

“Respect all the reasonable forms of activity in which the child engages and try to understand them.” 

There is always some sort of intention behind a behavior – whether good or bad – that isn't visible at the surface.

Inspiration Quotes about Parenting

“To let the child do as he likes, when he has not yet developed any powers of control, is to betray the idea of freedom.”

Both of these quotes lend to the idea of freedom within a disciplined environment. In other words, we do a disservice to the child if we don't offer boundaries. The idea is to create a well planned, well-prepared environment and give the child immense liberty within that environment.

Observe the child. Do not intervene. This approach requires a lot of patience and discipline but it is absolutely necessary. From those observations, curate and prepare an environment best suited for his developmental stage and interests.

Montessori often gets criticized for being too structured and too serious. Here is the thing, though, children find great joy in work an often this work comes in the form of imitation and that is a good sign.

More Montessori Quotes for Parents

“Discipline in freedom seemed to solve a problem which had hitherto seemed insoluble. The answer lay in obtaining discipline by giving freedom. These children, who sought their work in freedom, each absorbed in a different kind of task, yet all belonging to the same group gave an impression of perfect discipline.”

“The child who concentrates is immensely happy.”

We often mistake this concentration for seriousness or a lack of joy. In reality, the experience is precisely the opposite for the child.

“The human being is a united whole, but this unity has to be built up and formed by active experiences in the real world, to which it is led by the laws of nature.”

Children need to be given the freedom to have experiences, to fail, and to explore on their own and within their own terms.

“We used to say that it was the mother who formed the child; for it is she who teaches him to walk, talk, and so on. But none of this is really done by the mother. It is the achievement of the child. What the mother brings forth is the baby, but it is the baby who produces the man.”

Maria Montessori Quotes from The Absorbent Mind

“To recognize this great work of the child does not mean to diminish the parents' authority. Once they can persuade themselves not to be themselves the builders, but merely to act as collaborators in the building process, they become much better able to carry out their real duties; and then, in the light of a wider vision, their help becomes truly valuable.”

“To understand the baby's mind, it is absolutely essential to take the path of observation and discovery.”

“..it is well to cultivate a friendly feeling towards error, to treat it as a companion inseparable from our lives, as something having a purpose, which it truly has.”

Most of these quotes came from The Absorbent Mind, a critical book written by Dr. Maria Montessori. I have written about the concept of the absorbent mind. I encourage you to learn more about Montessori's absorbent mind!

Related Reads:

How to Parent an Intense Child in Today’s World

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Over the years I have learned a great deal about various child & parent therapies, how to parent a child with anxiety, how to parent a child with anger, and I have had many experiences with my extreme child that afford me an education that I feel I must impart.

My child is not on the spectrum and he does not take medication. I have been on the road to educate myself and to help guide him to be content in life.

This path is not the easy one but the best things in life are never easy and instead are worth fighting for…

Here are two books I've discovered recently…

How to Parent an Intense Child

How to Parent an Intense Child – Parenting Books

Parenting a Child Who Has Intense Emotions by Pat Harvey & Jeanine Penzo introduces Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). The authors walk parents through specific strategies to help their children & themselves in dealing with intense emotions. The techniques outlined in this book will help parents as much as they will help children with big emotions.

Related Read: Why I am Not Teaching My Compassion & Kindness

This clearly well-researched book provides insights into child development & psychology that enlighten parents trying to genuinely help their children. The authors offer various “what to do” (including validation & acknowledgment) and “what not to do” (such as dismissing & disciplining) tactics when managing a child's emotional dysregulation.

You will bridge your understanding of your child and your ability to help your child.

Related Read: Golden Responses for the Impatient Child

Living with Intensity by Susan Daniels is insightful across a wide range of ages and developmental stages for gifted children (and their adults!). This book really spoke to me, like I wanted to give it a big hug, or maybe the authors anyway. For so many years I have felt that my child is largely misunderstood and as a parent, I have felt incredibly judged for not knowing how to handle my “overexcitable” as the authors label these children.

I love this description of “overexcitables” (there are five categories) –

Their excitement is viewed as excessive, their high energy as hyperactivity, their persistence as nagging, their imagination as not paying attention, their passion as being disruptive, their strong emotions and sensitivity as immaturity, their creativity and self-directedness as oppositional.

Related Read: The #1 Thing Parents All Do That Hurts Our Kids

The book gives descriptions of these qualities to better equip adults with the patience required to help these children. Furthermore, the book offers extensive practical strategies on how to best guide these children and how to best manage your own emotions.  I found the book hopeful as it allowed me to celebrate these big emotions and affirmed my belief that these intensities and sensitivities should be nurtured and not shut down.

Finally, the book introduced Dabrowski s Theory of Positive Disintegration, which I find both intriguing and enlightening.

Related Read: The Isolation of Raising a Challenging Child is Real

Other Recommended Books

The Explosive Child by Dr. Ross Greene is a book I've written extensively about in the past. His collaborative problem-solving approach is accessible and helpful to managing children with extreme behaviors.

The Whole Brain Child by Dan Seigel is an extremely well-known handbook to adults understanding of the complexities of guiding a child with emotional dysregulation.

The Highly Sensitive Child by Elaine Aron is equally as well know and a terrific resource for any adult experiencing a child with big emotions.

Raising Your Spirited Child by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka

The Ultimate Guide to Mindfulness for Kids Ideas & Resources

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Mindfulness for kids is a trendy topic these days but oh so important. The idea that adults can nurture a life skill – like teaching mindfulness – to help kids relax their bodies, to be conscious of their relationship to the world, to breath through painful emotions, to be present, to be emotionally intelligent, in other words, to be mindful, is incredibly powerful.

Think about it.

Teaching a child to breathe through anxiety, frustration, anger, and many other emotions will help him be a better communicator and in the end a happier person.  And how lucky are we? We have ample resources and research supporting the fundamental fact that meditation is good for our bodies. I've listed several resources at the bottom of this post for you to explore. 

Mindfulness Activities for Kids

The research is in: mediation helps with focus, communication, social skills, conflict resolution, and mental health. There is nothing to lose with finding ways to bring meditation and mindfulness into your daily life. 

This post covers loads of mindfulness for kids' ideas and resources included guided meditations for kids, mindfulness youtube videos, mind games for kids, how to teach mindfulness in the classroom, and mindfulness activities for kids. I am so excited! So, let's dive in!

What is mindfulness? 

In my experience, mindfulness is being aware of your body within the environment. If you want a more concrete definition, the Oxford Dictionary includes this definition:

noun
  1. the quality or state of being conscious or aware of something.
    “their mindfulness of the wider cinematic tradition”
     
  2. a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.
     

So to put in everyday terms, mindfulness is bringing attention to the present moment. How does your body feel? What is around you and how is it impacting your body? What does a deep breath do for your mental state? 

How to Begin?

Honestly, at the essence, mindfulness must apply to each person as he or she feels. There is no “universal” definition of the concept. With that said, making sure kids understand what mindfulness is to them individually is key to the process. You want kids to naturally begin to practice without forcing them. One powerful way to get buy-in is to explain the concept to them.

Oh, and one more thing, practice mediation yourself. Be a model for the kids in your life!

How can you make meditation fun for kids? 

We don't have to be Zen Buddhists to bring this “education of the heart” into our homes and classrooms. AND we can make it fun in tons of ways. Below are activities to get you started. 

Kids looking at a pond

Guided Meditations for Kids

I am excited to share with you loads of guided meditations for kids. Most of you have heard of Headspace for Kids, which is a phenomenal resource that I highly recommend. However, there are other incredible tools out there to help kids with guided meditations.

Here are a few additional resources for you:

Below you will find many mindfulness videos on Youtube to help you get started on doing meditation with kids.

Mindfulness & Meditation Videos on YouTube

Just Breathe – Super Powerful

Rainbow Breath

3 Minute Body Scan

Breathing Exercises

Relaxing Music for Kids

Beautiful. I often put it on in the background to help my boys transition throughout the day.

Sailing Breathing Meditation

Practice Melting

I love it when my kids will sit and listen to this meditation. It is a good one!

If a child is by nature anxious or is having a difficult day, this music will calm him.

Any time of the day relaxing music for kids.

Morning Relaxing Music

Hot Air Balloon Ride: A Guided Meditation for Kids

Guided Meditation for Children | Your Magical Island

Sleep Meditation for Children

Ideas to Teach Kids about Meditation & Mindfulness

Mindfulness Activities for Kids

Here are a few ways of teaching mindfulness to kids can be part of your everyday life with children at home and in the classroom:

#1 – Books on Bring Mindful

The perfect way to introduce these concepts to a child. Begin and end each day together by reading one of these books.

#2 – Create a Peace Corner

Create stillness in your environment by creating a peace corner. This area can be a place where your child retreats when he is feeling stressed or upset and can be a place where conflict resolution takes place. Create it near natural light, add a plant, and possibly a peace rose.

#3 – Practice Yoga Together

The ABCs of Yoga for Kids Learning Cards are an excellent home and classroom tool.

#4 – Read A Pebble for Your Pocket

Go on a “mission” to find that pebble or stone for your child to carry with him.

#5 – Practice Mindful Eating

Before eating a snack, let's say an apple, pause together with your child and say out loud: “This is an apple. It grew from a seed into a tree. This apple was picked from a tree. The color is red. It is sweet and delicious,” or something like those words. Cut the apple open: “These are the seeds.” The point is to be more present with your eating, to appreciate food in all its goodness and the fact that, like us, it is nothing short of a miracle. 

#6 – Plant a Garden or Grow a Plant from a Seed

Touch the earth by planting a garden with your children, simply go on a walk and get your hands dirty or feel the grass. The book Planting Seeds: Practicing Mindfulness with Children is a nice metaphor and accompaniment to this exercise. 

#7 – Practice deep breathing exercises

It is important to practice daily and deep breathing exercises are a somewhat easy way to achieve this goal. A few great resources for you include My Magic Breath: Finding Calm Through Mindful Breathing, Alphabreaths: The ABCs of Mindful Breathing, and Breathing Exercises for Kids [FREE]. 

#8 – Integrate Guided Meditations into Your Day

Check out Sitting Like a Frog from Shambhala Publications. This book engages kids and they find it relatable. The website for the book is also a fabulous resource. According to its website Sitting Like a Frog includes “simple mindfulness practices to help your child (ages 5-12) deal with anxiety, improve concentration, and handle difficult emotions.”  

#9 – Bring Mindfulness into the Classroom 

I included loads for ideas for teachers in this post but you can certainly bring these activities into your home as well. This resource for bringing mindfulness into the classroom will help you. Ideas include making glitter jars, Montessori's silence activity, and yoga sessions.

#10 – Mindfulness Activities for Your Family

Learn the mindfulness techniques I put in my back pocket after attending a Mindful Family Retreat

#11 – Explore Headspace for Kids

You don't have to stop with the guided meditations I included in this post. Some of my favorites are on Headspace and there are many free guided meditations available online.

Resources to Help Teach Mindfulness to Kids

Mindful Magazine for Kids

Mindful Monkey Magazine is such a cool resource for families.

Cretan's Labyrinth

A must-have for any classroom peace corner or home stillness area!

Big Life Journal

THE mindful resources for kids. They offer journals, printables, ebooks, and so on. 

Mini Zen Garden

Children's Books to Teach Mindfulness

The Mindful Child

Mindful Games Book

Growing Up Mindful by Chris Willard

Stop, Breathe, Think Kids App

Research Articles