Preschool to Home Connection
April 15, 2020
Feeling stressed or anxious? Mindfulness can help
In the times of COVID-19 things are changing rapidly and you may find yourself trying to find a new normal. This can lead to feelings of anxiety and stress for both adults and children. Mindfulness is a practice that can allow us all to invite calm and to pause before we react.
What is mindfulness?
Mindfulness, according to John Kabat-Zinn,
- Purposefully paying attention
- Recognizing the present moment
- Being non-judgemental in our thoughts
Mindfulness is the practice of simply, noticing. Slowing down and paying attention to what is happening around you in the present moment. In this time of uncertainty there might be times where one may have intense feelings. Mindfulness teaches us to be non-judgemental with those thoughts and feelings. So when something happens, instead of reacting impulsively one can stop, breathe, then respond. This will create an opportunity to be more responsive and less reactive. One way to help us achieve this is to focus on one's breath. The following breathing activities allow us to anchor both adults and children to the present moment.
Breathe to relax and calm
Noticing and paying attention to our breath is a great way for students to calm. See below for examples of breathing.
Hand Breathing
Use your index finger to follow the fingers on your hand while you breathe
Flower Breathing
Pretend you are holding a flower and smell it while you inhale then pretend you are blowing a candle while you exhale
Square Breathing
Use your finger to create a square in the air while breathing in, holding the breath and exhaling
Belly Breathing with stuffed animals
Below is a short video of how you can practice mindfulness with your children at home. Just have them grab their favorite stuffed animal and we will be ready to begin!
Mindfulness: stuffed animal belly breathing
More information on Mindfulness for students
"Just Breathe" by Julie Bayer Salzman & Josh Salzman (Wavecrest Films)