Mindfulness for kids

Originally published in the Ketchikan Daily News, July 2018; written by Ann Marie Meiresonne.

Mindfulness is currently a trendy word used to describe everything from yoga to coloring to nature walks, for adults and children. So what is mindfulness for children? From an article by Chris Bergstrom he explains it to children as simply “noticing what is happening right now.” Studies are showing that mindfulness can help children to improve their attention, to calm themselves and to make better decisions. In today’s society with our go lifestyle mindfulness may be a subject worth investigating as it may help our children, as well as our own, mental health.

Meditation is an Open Sky: Mindfulness for Kids by Whitney Stewart is one entry level book when read together that may inspire children and adults with the simple techniques described. Eline Snel’s book Sitting Still Like a Frog: Mindfulness Exercises for Kids (and Their Parents) contains “simple mindfulness practices to help your child deal with anxiety, improve concentration, and handle difficult emotions.” Both are starter books for learning tools to begin simply being in the moment.

Visiting Feelings by Lauren Rubenstein is a picture book that may boost conversation with reader and listener as it “invites children to sense, explore, and befriend all of their feelings with acceptance and equanimity”, leading to awareness of what is happening with them in the moment.

In searching up mindfulness the topic of yoga comes along and the children’s collection has a number of picture books such as: Good Morning Yoga: a pose-by-pose wake up story by Miriam Gates, Good Night Yoga: on and beyond the mat also by Gates, both with colorful illustrations, simple words and poses to teach with ease.

Our Teen collection also has books in regards to mindfulness: The Stress Reduction Workbook for Teens by Gina M. Biegel, Cool Mind by David Keefe, and My anxious Mind: A Teen’s Guide to Managing Anxiety and Panic by Michael A. Tompkins PhD and Katherine Martinez, PsyD to name a few.

With the Adult collection the book Looking at Mindfulness: Twenty-Five Ways to Live in the Moment Through Art by Christohe Andre is very intriguing as it collects classic and esoteric paintings to explore the connections between what we see and what we feel. On the New Shelf there is The Mindful Way to a Good Night’s Sleep by Tzivia Gover the director of the Institute for Dream Studies which guides one with easy exercises and practices for hopefully not only a good night’s sleep but also improved waking hours. Also new is the Dan Harris and Jeff Warren book Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics which looks to be full of information to encourage the reader to start the practice of meditating.

Mindfulness being trendy is helpful as mental health for all ages is an important conversation for communities to have so the stigma can be removed and people who need real help can be empowered to seek it. Mindfulness is a beginning.