What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is a mental practice that involves
paying full attention to the present moment without judgment.
It encourages us to be aware of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and the surrounding environment. There is no specific state of tranquillity that you must attain, and it is not about emptying your mind. Rather, it involves sincerely and compassionately observing your current experience.
Children start their mindfulness journey with an advantage, as they tend to be far more immersed in the moment than adults are. Additionally, neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to change and adapt) is most pronounced during childhood.
A growing body of research points towards tangible benefits of mindfulness for children,
including their emotional, social, and cognitive development.
Below are some of the key benefits of mindfulness for children:
Well-being
Practising mindfulness can help children shift away from the constant stream of thinking, judging, planning, and worrying that keeps their minds occupied throughout the day. Through mindfulness, the relaxation response is triggered, which results in positive changes in brain waves, heart rate, and respiration rate that help to calm down, think more clearly, and act in a balanced emotional state.
Social & Emotional Learning
Mindfulness is an incredible tool that can help children develop important socio-emotional skills such as empathy, compassion, respect, and peer acceptance. By cultivating empathy, children become more aware of the thoughts and feelings of others, which in turn enables them to build strong and positive relationships based on kindness, generosity, and compassion. With mindfulness, children can learn to approach the world around them with a constructive and positive attitude, which can have a profound impact on their personal growth and development.
Concentration & Attention
By regularly engaging in exercises such as focusing on breathing and observing the environment, children can significantly improve their capacity to concentrate and ignore distractions, leading to better focus and overall well-being.
Behaviour
Mindfulness can be a powerful tool for personal growth and development. By fostering greater awareness and acceptance, it can help children take control of their own lives and steer their thoughts and actions in a positive direction. With mindfulness, kids can cultivate a more constructive and fulfilling way of being that promotes resilience.
The Kommodum Kids approach to mindfulness is built upon
4 pillars:
To read more about the evidence of the impact of mindfulness on children and young people you are welcome to click here to read the Mindfulness in Schools Project's Research Summary.
