It’s the 2nd (the previous one is ‘Jim and the Universe‘) and they are a perfect read to help introduce mindful awareness in a fictional way for kids who have big changes/struggles.
Eva is about a girl (I’m guessing 10) who always gets into trouble at school and then has a big life change where her father dies.
Jim is about a 12 year old boy starting high school and how he meets someone who helps him (mindfully) cope with the pressures.
Both books really touch on the importance of gratitude, energy and how children can bring self awareness to their lives more mindfully to achieve their potential and have more self compassion and self esteem.
I simply loved them and know (having read them to kids we have in our care) how they really like them too.
I hope you enjoy them!
(P.S. I’ve just posted ‘5 mindful tips for the summer holidays’ on our FB page and group)
Getting started…
Take the Foundation course – to teach your kids and teens mindful meditation
Professional Training – to become a certified Kids Meditation Teacher
Teach Children Meditation Books – learn more about the benefits of meditation for kids including those with SEN/Autism/Anxiety/ADHD
Free Meditation downloads for children/teens/autism – created by the international trainer, expert and founder of Connected Kids programme.
Today I was browsing social media and read the headline ‘should meditation be compulsory in our schools?’
Now as someone who has taught and campaigned for children and young people to learn meditation and mindfulness for the past 17 years, you think my automatic answer would be a resounding ‘YES’!
This week, I read a disturbing news report about the increasing use of medication for children (aged 12 or younger) who are being prescribed anti-depressants.
“It found that the number of youngsters aged 12 or younger on anti-depressants has risen by 27% over the last three years.” BBC News July 2018
Then on social media someone shared an article with a similar message in the USA.
“Rates of depression and anxiety among young people in America have been increasing steadily for the past 50 to 70 years. Today, by at least some estimates, five to eight times as many high school and college students meet the criteria for diagnosis of major depression and/or anxiety disorder as was true half a century or more ago.” Dr. Peter Gray, a research professor at Boston College
So there are 3 things that concern me most:
children are being diagnosed with depression
increasingly medication is being used so for such young (and developing children).
that there is a waiting list for access to psychological help for kids with mental health issues
Creating a space to teach mindfulness to kids with autism
We were asked a question about the types of tools people could use if they wanted to teach their kids (who are on the autistic spectrum) how to feel calmer and less stressed using mindful activities.
” I will be moving into a purpose built unit for children with autism shortly and I have to kit out the sensory room. I’m wondering if you can suggest anything in particular that would be beneficial.”
Expert advice
We write about this subject all the time…particularly in the 2nd book – “Connected Kids‘.
However we have taught thousands of people how to teach kids meditation, and thought that many of our Connected Kids Tutors would have great, practical advice.
We were right!
Here are some wonderful ideas that may help your kids on the spectrum bring their energy back into balance with meditation and mindfulness.
