As schools begin to open, I wanted to stress the importance of social-emotional learning for our children. Our kids have had to endure so much over these last few months. Their normal daily routines have been stripped from them. As resilient as we’d like to believe our children are they are little people with big emotions. Dealing with the results of this pandemic -not seeing their friends, families, or teachers – has taken its emotional toll. Now, more than ever is the time to teach them how to manage stress and emotions. I’m sharing 5 Mindfulness Activities for Kids to help you help your children deal with their emotions during these not-so-normal times.
Related: Parent-Child Bonding: The Value of Pillow Talk with Kids
1. Trace and Color by Number Mindfulness Activity
Related: Printable Affirmation Cards for Kids to Build Self-Esteem
Coloring is a fun and relaxing mindfulness activity for kids. For this activity, kids will use the colors assigned to each number focusing on each area to carefully color. If they’re distracted by something else, gently remind them of what they are doing in the present moment.
2. Trace and Breathe Mindfulness Activity
This activity uses all five (5) senses. While they’re breathing in and out, have them think and focus on the things they can see, touch, hear, smell, and taste. Following along with the prompts from each color In the rainbow, have your kids trace with their fingers while breathing in and out.
3. Mindfulness Bingo
This is a fun mindfulness activity to help kids get moving and focus on something enjoyable.
4. Yoga Poses
Yoga is great for helping children focus on breathing while meditating and relaxing. Specific poses & activities to promote mindfulness like the cobra, cow, dog, and boat yoga poses above. Plus, it is always good to get in a great stretch.
5. Daily Reflection About My Day
Sometimes our kids are dealing with a lot of different emotions that they just don’t know how to get out. This Daily Reflection activity sheet will help kids express how they feel. In doing so kids can learn techniques to deal with their feelings.
Do you teach mindfulness to your kids? If so, what techniques do you use?
