1. Mindfulness for Children and Educators
Cheryl Anderson, RECE
Quality Child Care Initiative

2. Mindfulness
When we are stressed, anxious or operating from a fight-flight response, we are unable to access the higher level “decision making” part of the brain
Mindfulness helps us recognize what is happening internally – helps us to pay attention, focus and concentrate, how to listen and learn and how to be in relationship with ourself and others – how to be present in the moment

3. MIndfulness
Introduce and practice mindfulness when child is in a calm, regulated state, not when they are feeling stressed
Mindfulness is an invitation not a requirement – it is not a disciplinary tool
Practice mindfulness during positive times; make it part of the daily routine
Best experienced then talk about it

4. Mindfulness Less is more
Mindfulness for school-agers is all about how the adult models it themselves

6. Mindfulness for Self Sit quietly for a few minutes each day
Take a few moments to breathe before you start your day
Take a moment to feel the warmth of the sun on your face
Walk from your car to work mindfully with all of your attention focused on the bottom of your feet
Keep a mindfulness journal

7. Let’s Try It! Time to Breathe Giant Strides Making Rain Movement
Human Camera

8. Mindfulness for the Children
Counting Sounds (a mindful walking practice)
Time to breathe (sometimes called Tuza which means to “slow down and chill” in one of the local dialects in Rwanda)
Rainbow walk
Tense and Let Go
Body Scan

9. ABC’S (ages 5-7)
In life it helps to remember our ABC’s . This is especially true when things are difficult. So when things are difficult, keep these ABC’s in mind:
A is for attention. Sometimes it is helpful just to stop and pay attention to our
B is for breath. Usually when we pay attention to our breath it is easier to
C is for choose. When we stop and pay attention to our breath, then sometimes we can make a kind choice, a choice that is kind to us and kind to others.
A Still Quiet Place, Amy Saltzman

10. STAR (ages 8 – 12)
You may find this STAR practice helpful when you are feeling stressed (taking a test, doing homework) or dealing with another difficulty
S is for stop. When you are faced with a difficulty, like a question on a test that you don’t know the answer to, or a challenge with a peer, stop.
T is for take a breath. Usually taking a few, slow breaths releases the mind and allows us to..

11. A is for accept. Accept that you are having difficulty, and that you are a bit stressed or frustrated or….
R is for restart or resume. When you are ready, after you have taken some slow deep breaths and accepted how you are feeling, you can restart and work on the problem again (alone or with assistance from another)
A Still Quiet Place, Amy Saltzman