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Using Picture Books to Teach Mindfulness to Your Children and Students
Mindfulness helps us be present in our lives and gives us some control over our reactions and repetitive thought patterns. It helps us pause, get a clearer picture of a situation, and respond more skillfully. And below are some of my favorite books to help you guide and teach your children and students in being mindful and present.
A Kids Book About Mindfulness, by Caverly Morgan
Every single book from the A Kids Book About series is just incredible, and this one is no different. If you're looking for a way to talk to kids about mindfulness, what it means to be mindful, and how to add this practice to your toolbox, then this is the book for you.
I am always in search of books that will help ME, as a parent and educator, explain these concepts to not only children but to adults too! So often I find myself talking to parents about mindfulness, and they have so many preconceived notions and ideas of what it is.
Let me tell ya, THIS is my go-to for all those tough and tricky conversations for sure.
Mind Bubbles: Exploring Mindfulness with Kids, by Heather Krantz
Are you wanting to create a calmer classroom by introducing mindfulness? THIS is the book for you! One of my favorite strategies to teach my students with anxiety and worry is that those thoughts are really just a disaster movie in your mind. When those big worries start to pop up, and that disaster movie starts rolling in, what are YOUR strategies that you go to? Do you have strategies? Do you know what will work for you?
The best part about movies is that they aren’t real! I’m telling you...this is eye-opening for kiddos! This story goes into the SAME idea, and that sometimes it’s like we are watching our bubbles like a MOVIE! I almost cried! YAAASSS!!! Such an amazing connection for our kiddos. Mindfulness, meditation, deep breathing, Meditation Mat...whatever you want to call it...our kids NEED THIS! They need it at home. They need it after school. And they need it in their CLASSROOMS!
These aren’t just conversations. These aren’t just lessons. These are just cute one-and-done books that you read and then you move on to the next thing.
Mindfulness is a SYSTEM. It’s not something you do because it’s the “focus of the month” and then you forget about it. It’s ingrained and embedded throughout the day. It’s what you do and how you talk to your students and kids. It’s not teaching them how to BEHAVE... we’re teaching them how to BE.
What Does It Mean To Be Present?, by Rana DiOrio
Not only does this book talk about what it MEANS to be present, but it also gives tons of strategies that children can use to truly become present in the moment.
The ending is truly my favorite part...
"So tell your friends what it means to be present. And spread the word- When we're all present, life can be much richer, fuller, and happier!"
Because we know that it's one thing to put these strategies into practice, but sharing them with others is the true magic.
Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way, on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally. Simple as it may sound, mindfulness transforms how we relate to events and experiences. It creates a more spacious way of being in the world that is less reactive and generally happier.
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Disclaimer: The resources and ideas found on this website are all research-based and vetted with a parent and educator lens. The tools listed have worked for students and children that I work with; however, each child is different. This list is not exhaustive and is a compilation of ideas and strategies to try in schools or at home. No information on this website should be used as medical advice. I am not a clinical psychologist, but I do work alongside them as thought partners in this journey.
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