But preschoolers can’t meditate…?!
By Christina Cran, Wee Seeds Founder
Developing children’s emotional literacy and mental stillness is as important as learning to read and write and teaching it will have an impact on their lives, those around them, and on future society.
Currently, 1 in 10 young people aged 5–16 suffer from a diagnosable mental health disorder — that’s around three in each classroom. Many others struggle with anxiety, managing emotions and lack of sleep.
We know that one way to nurture good mental health is to practice mindfulness and meditation. Use of this technique has exploded in the Western world in recent years and now advocated by the medical profession and governments as one way to tackle the epidemic of mental health problems.
Science-based research into the benefits of mindfulness has grown apace, with neuroplasticity in adults showing we can change our thought patterns and the impact on children resulting in teachers now picking up the mindfulness baton and teaching it to both primary and secondary schools pupils.
But one group which is less researched and less provided for is preschoolers, although we know from small studies in America that exercises adapted to their ability and understanding can make strides in helping them with focus, attention, calm and kindness.
From personal experience I know it works, and our user testing earlier this year, we know it can make a difference.
That’s why we’re in the middle of building our first ever set of digital tools for parents and professionals to plant the seeds of mindfulness and meditation in the early years. We can’t wait to share them with you…
