Australian Yoga Journal — November 2017

61

november/december 2017

yogajournal.com.au

tools beyond classrooms and in daily
life. For educators and parents to get
more on board, a game-changer may be
contemplating how early introduction
to such eye-opening education may have
helped shape their own formative years
and beyond.

If mindfulness-based education hasn’t made
itsway to your school yet, Smiling Mind app
offers accessible age-appropriate guided
meditations: http://www.smilingmind.com.au/
smiling-mind-app/.

MINDFULNESS TIPS FOR KIDS

YTFS teach tools to recharge, reset or relax in a few short minutes without

additional equipment. All you need is yourself and your young one to

practice Healy-Pagan’s breathing tools, offered below:

4-6 years – Peace and quiet

• Sit comfortably, placing hands over heart


• Slowly breathing in, softly say “peace”


• Slowly rest hands down on thighs, softly say “quiet”


• Repeat three times, eyes open


• Repeat three times, eyes closed


• Repeat three times with audible words and eyes closed


• Extra option – upon completion, listen for the sound of a bell, slowly open eyes
  andsmile at someone once it stops ringing

6-10 years – Fan breathing

• Creative option – make and use a paper fan instead of hands


• Sit comfortably, bring hands (closed paper fan) together in front of abdomen


• Slowly inhaling, move hands apart (open fan) counting “one ... two ... three”


• Pause briefly, then exhale and bring hands slowly back together (close fan)
  counting “three ... two ... one”


• Repeat five cycles with eyes open or closed

10 years and older – Fingertip breathing

• Sit comfortably, hands resting palms upward on each thigh


• Inhale slowly, gently open palms, stretch and energise fingers


• Exhale slowly, softly touch thumb with first finger


• Repeat with second, third and fourth fingers


• Repeat cycle twice, last time with eyes closed


• Affirmations option – choose four positive words to contemplate with each fingertip,
  like “peace”, “begins”, “with” and “me”

Become a member of YTFS at http://www.yogatoolsforschools.com.au/

get-involved to spread more yoga love around schools!

“To achieve the greatest

impact, teachers require

relevant training, time and

resources to ideally integrate

mindfulness in their overall

approach to teaching, beyond

designated yoga sessions.”

TEACH KIDS

KINDNESS

Katrina Cavanough, founder

of anti-bullying program,

Kindness on Purpose, believes

kindness is key in children feeling

connected to themselves and

others. Cavanough offers four

steps to instilling kindness within

our kids.

Mealtime conversations

Ask children what were some

kind words or actions they performed

that day to help someone feel better.

Plan acts of kindness

Help children create and implement an

act of kindness.

Use positive language

Powerful statements like “we are a

kind family” or “you are naturally kind”

help reinforce their connection to

kindness.

Seek and share examples of kindness

in the world and community – this helps

to normalise kindness, helps kids feel

safe and encourages a positive outlook

on life.

For more inspiration, check out

http://www.kindnessonpurpose.com