Mindfulness: What is it? 

In recent weeks, I have found many moments in which mindfulness has helped me through the difficult and often fluctuating emotions associated with a world with Covid-19.  I have asked my students to be mindful and gentle with themselves as they struggle with the many changes that surround them. Many parents may have a deep understanding of what it means to be mindful but I thought a short description may enlighten some to the topic.

Mindfulness is a quality of being fully present and aware of ourselves.  It has many forms, a state, a trait and a practice. Being in the moment, an accumulation of moments and a skill to be rehearsed.  It is acknowledging ourselves in what we are doing and how we are feeling. Fortunately, it is also a basic ability we all possess but not always acknowledge.  So how can parents use mindfulness practices to help our children during difficult times?

1. Acknowledge their feelings without judgement.  Accept their feelings. Teach them that uncomfortable feelings are just a part of who we are and can learn to not only endure them but accept them as a part of ourselves.
2. Practice deep breathing.  When your child is having a strong emotion, try counting from one to five and back down five to one, asking your child to focus only on the air filling the lungs.
3. Mindfulness can cultivate curiosity.  Allow children to ask questions as they come and try to be fully present as you respond.  
4. Model mindfulness.  In this fast paced world, it can be difficult for parents to be in the moment and nonjudgmentally acknowledge feelings but children need examples to follow.  So when you are stressed or having a strong emotion, verbalize it and articulate how you are going to respond to that emotion. For example: I’m feeling overwhelmed by all the noise.  I need to take a few deep breaths, calm my body, so I can make a proper choice.

Obviously, this article only begins to articulate mindfulness and fails in many ways to explore mindfulnesses complexities but I hope I have sparked some curiosity and ideas to support your family.

As always, I am available for further discussion or questions.  I can be reached at escounselor@isyedu.org.

Patty Amundson-Geisel

Elementary School Counselor

Sources for Article

Mindful schools: Mindfulness Fundamental Course https://www.mindfulschools.org/  March 2020

The Greater Good Magazine: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/topic/mindfulness/definition  April 2, 2020

What is Mindfulness? By Mindful Staff at Mindful, healthy mind, healthy life October 8, 2014 https://www.mindful.org/what-is-mindfulness/

Resources for Helping your Children 

Headspace  Meditation for Kids

Mind Yeti  Mindfulness for Kids and Their Adults