According to studies there are 27 different categories of emotion. Most fall under happiness, sadness, anger, surprise, fear, and disgust. For children these can be difficult to deal with which is where strategies like mindfulness can help. We have teamed up with a prep school in Gloucestershire to share some of these with you below.
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Mindfulness is the state of being aware of your surroundings. Techniques involve “grounding” or “connecting” yourself to the present moment so that you can recentre your focus from difficult thoughts and feelings. Many of them look at ways to improve the breathing which can become short and shallow, contributing to the breathless feeling that is felt when anxious.
Mindfulness Techniques
There are a whole range of techniques that you can use with your child to practise mindfulness. Please bear in mind that while they may work for some children, they may not work for others. Also, it may take time for your child to see an effect which is why it is recommended that the methods listed below are practised at least a few times. Some while relaxed and others while overwhelmed. This will help them to perfect their “grounding” and enable them to see the benefit. If your child does not enjoy these techniques at first please do encourage them to continue using them.
Mindful Walking
A mindful walk can help children to take their mind off things. There is so much beauty to admire. To practice this technique, take your child out on a walk and encourage them to think about their five senses. What can they hear, smell, see, taste, and feel? This will help to occupy the mind so they are unable to focus on their worries and help them to stay in the moment.
Counting Candles
This technique works well with young children and involves using the imagination. Ask your child to picture candles in place of your fingers. They will need to blow until every single one has been extinguished. Again this helps to occupy the mind but it can also help them with their breathing as they have to concentrate on the act of blowing and then inhaling.