yoga for children yoga for children
Mindfulness skills
Learning mindfulness
early on, as a child or
a teenager, can be an
incredibly powerful tool
for the rest of a person’s lifeS
tatistics from the mental health
foundation show that 1 in 10 children
between the ages of 1 to 15 have a
mental health problem.
As mindfulness has been proven
to increase overall wellbeing and resilience
as well as help with anxiety and depression
it makes sense to introduce mindfulness
training to young people, not only as a
preventative measure, but also to provide
tools to deal with mental health issues as and
when they arise.
Professor Filip Raes from the Faculty of
Psychology and Educational Sciences at KU
Leuven University conducted the first study
to follow a large sample of adolescence in a
school based setting.
The study showed that secondary
school students who followed an in-class
mindfulness programme reported reduced
indications of depression, anxiety and
stress up to six months later. Moreover,these students were less likely to develop
pronounced depression-like symptoms.
Mindfulness can also help children and
young people with:n Emotional regulation
n Physical relaxation
n To sleep better
n Cope with stress
n Improve focus and concentrationOne of the best ways to introduce children to
mindfulness is to establish a regular practice
for yourself and then model the benefits. As
children notice the difference, they will be
curious. Adults can then explain how they have
learned a new skill that has helped them to
enjoy and cope with life better. It is a skill that
any parent can learn and teach to children
and one that they can practice together.
It is always helpful to explain to children
how mindfulness can be of benefit in their