Negativity Bias and Mindfulness It means that our brain and body constantly scan the environment for threats. If we detect a threat, we manage it as it activates our stress response (fight/flight/freeze) – which is designed to keep us alive. What it means is that we are hardwired (neurologically speaking) to seek out the negative in […]
continue readingCategory archives: toddlers
Mandala meditations for kids
I love mandalas. They are one of the most effective ways to teach children mindfulness skills while they meditate. The idea behind mandalas in Buddhist practices is to create the mandala out of coloured sand while paying attention to thoughts, body, breath and emotions. Then when complete, the mandalas are released to symbolise impermanence and non-attachment. However […]
continue readingwatch out for mindfulness ‘cowboys’
One of my students Ali Gray, is very passionate about the world learning meditation. He is one of our Connected Kids students and together with his colleague, Gary Young, is pioneering a project to make it part of the school curriculum in Scotland. At a ‘business and mindfulness’ conference, he heard the term ‘mindfulness cowboys‘ and wondered […]
continue readingHelping Kids and Teens connect to emotions through mindfulness
One of the issues that we face as children (and all the way through life) is recognising what we feel, when we feel it. I have been practising meditation for years, yet just the other day I felt really flat and couldn’t name my feeling. It was so frustrating and disorientating. I went for a […]
continue readingToddlers to Teens – teaching kids meditation and mindfulness
Someone just emailed me with a great question which I’m sure many people think about. “just curious as to what age you think would be the earliest to teach children meditation/mindfulness and what would be the ideal age to begin?” Michelle
continue readingThanksgiving Meditation – Gratitude for Kids and Teens – tips
As today is thanksgiving day in the USA (where we teach some of our courses) I thought it would be useful to bring some ideas and tips on how to combine this with meditation techniques for kids and teens.
continue readingChildren, stress and mindful meditation
We usually focus on the adults when we talk about stress but research shows that children also experience stress from both external and internal factors. Pressures of technology, computer gaming, exam results, hormonal changes and changes in family settings can initiate the flight or fight response which we refer to as ‘acute stress’. The difference […]
continue readingUsing mindfulness to manage toddler tantrums
Toddlers tantrums are difficult to manage as they can often go from 0 to 100 in the space of a few seconds. This roller coaster of emotion can be difficult to manage at the best of times, never mind if you are a stressed out parent or educator. The idea that toddlers will sit […]
continue readingThe 5 myths of teaching kids meditation…
Enjoy our video blog and articles – full of tips and ideas (from expert, Lorraine Murray), on how to teach kids/teens meditation. Our most recent blog…dispelling some myths about teaching kids or teens meditation [youtube http://youtu.be/Z0OKYQr7MTw] Learn how to teach kids meditation (online course) Calm Kids book >>> Connected Kids book (special needs) >>> Connected […]
continue readingTeaching kids emotions through meditation
Reflections and useful ideas from my USA trip to Florida and what the students taught me! [youtube http://youtu.be/ymV8LfCt4ok] Learn how to teach kids meditation (online course) Calm Kids book >>> Connected kids courses worldwide >>> Tweet
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