How to Teach Mindfulness to Your 6 Year Old: Tips and Techniques

As parents, we want our children to have the best tools to handle life’s challenges. One such tool is mindfulness, a practice that can help children improve their emotional and physical well-being, boosts their focus and concentration, and reduces anxiety. Teaching mindfulness to your 6-year-old may seem challenging at first, but it is a skill that they can carry with them throughout their lives. Here’s how you can teach mindfulness to your child.

1. Start with Breathing

The foundation of mindfulness is breath awareness. Ask your child to pay attention to their breath and encourage them to breathe deeply. You can try “bunny breathing,” where your child takes a deep breath in through their nose and exhales through their mouth, imitating a bunny sniffing a flower and blowing out candles. This technique can help your child stay focused and calm.

2. Create a Mindful Environment

To cultivate mindfulness, create an environment that supports it. Encourage your child to be present in the moment by limiting distractions and promoting positivity. Practise deep breathing with them before bedtime or during playtime. Additionally, creating a comfortable and calming space with visuals of nature, such as plants and natural materials, can help your child feel more at peace and relaxed.

3. Make Mindfulness Fun

Children learn best when they are having fun. A great way to teach mindfulness is through games. You can play “mindful Simon says,” where you ask your child to imitate your breathing or yoga postures. You can also play “the mindful colouring book,” where your child is asked to colour in shapes or mandalas while focusing on their breath. These games can help your child associate mindfulness with fun and positivity.

4. Model Mindfulness

Children learn more from what we do than what we say. Be a role model for your child by practising mindfulness yourself. Take breaks throughout the day to breathe deeply and practise yoga or meditation. Additionally, refrain from multitasking and engage fully with your child when spending time with them. This practice can help your child learn to be present in the moment and value their time with others.

5. Practice Gratitude and Positivity

Mindfulness involves cultivating gratitude and positivity. Encourage your child to reflect on positive experiences they’ve had during the day before bedtime. Help them identify things they’re thankful for and ask them to write them down or verbalise them. This technique can help your child develop greater optimism and appreciation for the good things in their lives.

Conclusion

Mindfulness is a valuable skill that can help your child thrive both emotionally and physically. By providing them with the tools to practise mindfulness, you can help them feel calmer, happier and more focused. Encourage your child to practise mindfulness through deep breathing, creating a supportive environment, playing interactive games, modelling mindfulness, and practising gratitude, and you’ll set them up for a fulfilling and meaningful life.