Children today lead busy lives. They go from school to soccer practice, then piano lessons, then home for dinner and homework. By the time they’re finished it’s time to shower, rest, and repeat the next day. We do this because studies indicate that children who are exposed to a variety of activities when they are young develop a larger schema to stem from as they get older. What is often not mentioned is the need to incorporate mindfulness techniques and strategies to develop self-regulating strategies and better hone-in on problem-solving skills.
The word mindfulness is the latest “hot topic” in child development. However, if someone is asked to define mindfulness, you often hear a variety of answers. According to good old Wikipedia, Mindfulness is described as “the psychological process of bringing one’s attention to experiences occurring in the present moments.” In other words, being present in the Now. Not thinking about what event is happening next, or what homework you have to complete. Living in the Present.
With this said, practicing mindfulness is just that: a practice. One needs to develop tools in order to effectively accomplish this. One great way of incorporating this is going for a walk. Incorporate your senses- see the leaves changing colors or smell the honeysuckle as you pass by. What birds do you hear along the way? Breathe it all in as you pay attention to how the breeze feels against your skin. Ask these questions to your child as you walk together-make it an engaging experience for everyone.
It can be challenging to be Mindful in a Mind-full world. Incorporating something small each day can really make a difference. Namaste.
