Why Mindfulness is Good for Kids

This unit helps a child to understand and practice mindfulness. To practice mindfulness is to purposefully pay attention to your breathing, feelings, senses, or actions in the present moment. When a child is mindful, they increase their ability to regulate emotions, manage stress, and self-motivate. Print the Mindful Moments cards and  fitFlow yoga cards to practice mindfulness with your students.

Ask kids to share a time and place when they were mindful (paused to focus on the present moment).

To use this with your students click here.

Mindful

Present the slides to students. Ask them to identify if the scenario describes a person being mindful (paying attention on purpose) or not being mindful.

Benefits of Being Mindful

Explain that being mindful helps a child recognize their feelings and emotions, which in-turn helps them make healthy choices. Being mindful also supports self-control and helps manage stress.

Check for Understanding: What are the benefits of being mindful? (Answers may vary to include: manage stress, control impulses, and motivate themselves to make healthy choices.)

Relax

Present the two mindful moment activities (body scan and breathing exercise). Pause and allow students time to independently complete the activity of their choice. If time allows, do both!

Today we learned that when you are mindful you are doing good things for your body and brain. Name a time you can pause for a mindful moment and do a breathing exercise or body scan.