Joyce M. Willis, LPC Lead Therapist/Training Specialist The Meadows

Why Mindfulness for Children and Youth? Self-Management Techniques Increases optimism and socially competent behavior Improves ability to tolerate stress It is relatively easy to teach mindfulness to our young clients Gives youth a tool to stop habitual automatic reactions “Regardless of race, education or economic status, an alarming number of children and adolescents are diagnosed with ADHD, depression, anxiety, obesity, eating disorders, and addictions and engaging in cutting and other self-destructive behaviors, including suicide.” Dr. Amy Saltzman

Mental Health and Psychological Well- Being Trauma Anxiety Depression ADHD (Balancing Chips Game Handout) Sleep Disorders Anger Autism (Meditation on the Soles of the Feet Handout) Self-Awareness and Self-Esteem The Whole Child!

Benefits of Mindfulness Body and emotional regulation Insight Attunement with others Empathy Better impulse control/Response flexibility Fear modulation Intuition Increased attention Span Morality Improved cognitive and performance skills Less negative emotions and anxiety

Adding Meditation – Benefits of Mindful Meditation Improved concentration Improved Immune System Reduced stress Improved cardio health and lowered blood pressure Improved self-awareness Improved sleep

How to get adolescents to “buy-in” to Mindfulness Show them how they are already mindful Relate mindfulness to their issue(s) Give a simple definition (Handout 3-1) Explain “Present Moment” Awareness in their terms (Handout – Getting Into the Present Moment) Involve parents/caregivers Model mindfulness Let them know what is in it for them Teach them about their Brain and Mind (Handouts and 3-11A) Tie into technology – APPS!

Common Obstacles I don’t have time I forgot I can’t stay focused, so why bother? I don’t know how to do it right This doesn’t work for me I fall asleep Mindfulness is for holy people I feel embarrassed It’s boring I don’t see how this can possibly help me I don’t like doing this It’s not cool I’m hungry (but I might not know it) Lack of parental support

A few tools… Mindfulness Based Interventions (Yoga, Body Scan, meditation, Tai Chi…) Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy

Interventions/Games Journaling: About your understanding of what mindfulness is About the benefits of mindfulness About breathing About your objections to mindfulness About your plans to use mindfulness About why mindfulness helps you with depression, anxiety, concentration, hyperactivity, anger, sleep, self-confidence, getting alont with others…. About how present moment awareness changes your day About your fears

More Tools/Games A Focus Exercise! Two Steps, One Breath Three Breaths Apple Meditation Dots game Simon Says Guess the Object Game Lovingkindness Meditation for Children Other games…included in your handouts!

Resources APPS Insight Meditation Timer – Shows all locations worldwide where people are meditating Stop, Breathe and Think – User selects several words to describe how they are feeling and app recommends guided meditations for user’s current feeling state Smiling Mind- Designed for adolescents: Australian/British accent Take a Break – For all ages (adults, too!); short guided meditations for stress relief

Resources – MindUP Program – non-profit in Scottsdale, offers Introduction to Mindfulness classes for children and families, classes for parents with children who have ADHD and Mindful Art classes – (Stephanie Cordel) – provides education to children and families on mindfulness, free family meet-up groups.

Resources Mindfulness Skills for Kids and Teens by Debra Burdick ( Mindfulness and Yoga Skills for Children and Adolescents by Barbara Neiman( Learning to Breathe: A Mindfulness Curriculum for Adolescents by Patricia Broderick You Tube Video – “Just Breathe” by Julie Salzman

…and more Resources… Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Children tools Mindfulness Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxious Children by Randye J. Semple, Phd. And Jennifer Lee, Phd. This book is a complete professional program for children ages 9 – 12. Article: Mindfulness for Children and Youth: A Review of Literature with an Argument for School-Based Implementation by Kim D. Rempel Growing Mindful Card deck; available at