‘Doing’ Mindfulness With Young Children

Welcome to ‘Doing’ Mindfulness With Young Children, a comprehensive guide designed specifically for early childhood educators and the children they teach.

In this course, you will explore the practice of mindfulness, delving into its rich history, the scientific discoveries about its impact on the brain, and the significant benefits it offers for the holistic development and well-being of both young children and the adults who care for them.

You will gain practical tools and approaches to cultivate your own mindfulness practice, which is essential for effectively guiding children. Learn how mindfulness can enhance self-regulation, improve focus, foster positive social interactions, and support emotional resilience in early learning environments.

Key learning outcomes include the ability to:

• Define mindfulness and understand its origins as a secular practice.
• Explain the neuroscience behind how mindfulness affects the brain in adults and children.
• Recognize the diverse benefits of mindfulness for children's emotional, social, cognitive, and physical development.
• Develop and sustain a personal mindfulness practice to support your well-being as an educator.
• Implement a variety of engaging, age-appropriate mindfulness activities, including breathing techniques, mindful movement, and sensory explorations.
• Integrate mindfulness seamlessly into daily classroom routines, transitions, and curriculum through methods like mindful eating, rest, and using storytelling and art.
• Guide children in developing self-awareness and strategies for managing challenging emotions.

Embark on this rewarding journey to bring the transformative power of mindfulness into your life and the lives of the young children you teach, fostering a more present, compassionate, and resilient classroom community.