Animal mindful breath poster to help children with ADHD

A free poster of breath ideas to teach kids (with ADHD) mindfulness

I hope you enjoy this simple, mindful breath poster to help children reduce stress with mindfulness tools.

It is the inspirational work of one of our qualified Connected Kids Tutors – it was so lovely, we had to share.

““I began to teach TJ (age 6) to focus on his breath: the animal game.

I developed this game to spark his interest as I know TJ loves animals and thought it would also potentially keep his interest by turning it into a (mindful) game.

We threw the dice and practised the breathshown on the poster.”

  Louise Lakey, Connected Kids Tutor – UK (Essex)

One of the difficulties many adults face is actually having a child try a mindful tool like focussing on the breath.

The tutor used a child-centered approach, combining his love of animals and linking it to different breaths.  This boy has been diagnosed with ADHD and had found the lockdowns particularly difficult to process and cope with.

She also helped him feel invested in the practise, by having him roll a dice so he could choose which mindful, animal breath they practised.  This would give him a feeling of participation and control which is important to help teach young people meditation.

When you are working with kid with ADHD, giving them a voice (a choice) is very important in helping them engage with the meditation practice.

Learning how to be creative

Adults can over complicate trying to teach children meditation.  Instead of assuming the teaching role, we can share the learning experience, and be teachable.

Children’s creativity can be inspiring as this young boy demonstrates.

“TJ said that his favourite part was the animal breathing – particularly the gorilla breath that he made up himself!”

Download the free poster here!

If you would like to practise these breaths with your children, you can download the free poster, here.  Please share with colleagues and friends.

Still looking for answers?

Speak to an expert…if you need to talk, please remember you can Connect to us.  Lorraine E Murray, founder of the Connected Kids programme, offers connect calls to help you find out more.