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In a world where there’s so much to think about and plan for, it’s often easy to forget to live in the moment and truly appreciate experiences as they’re happening. By being mindful of what’s happening to us and how it makes us feel, we are less likely to stress about things that have happened in the past, or not happened at all. So, you might want to start practising mindfulness with your child, to help them feel less anxious and appreciate each little thing that happens to them. Read on for some advice from preparatory school in Middlesex.
Label Emotions
Try and encourage your child to recognise their emotions in a certain moment, by helping give them labels. Say things like “I can see you’re super excited about this weekend” or “you seem to be getting a little frustrated with this board game”. The more insight your child has into their inner thoughts and feelings, the easier it will be for them to choose an appropriate way to respond.
Express Gratitude
Each evening after school, as your child to share some of the little things they feel grateful for that day. This will help them become better at focussing on the positive moments, like someone sharing a snack with them or giving them a lift to school, rather than stressing about other things.
Practise Daily
Mindfulness can be practised with pretty much everything you do. For example, if your child is eating a tasty treat, ask them to pay attention to the experience; what does it taste like? What kind of texture does it have? How does it make them feel? Next time you’re out for a walk, ask them to engage their senses; what can they smell, see, hear, feel, or taste? At bedtime when they’re setting down in bed, ask them to close their eyes and focus on their breathing and how their body feels against the sheets.
By practising mindfulness regularly and asking your child to focus on how they feel, both internally and externally, they will eventually start to focus on each moment more naturally.