Mini-mindfulness: Five senses
by Wee Seeds
How often do we ask our kids: “What can you see?” It’s our go-to-question.
But what if we used that to expand their mini-minds. Our little mindful children can be taught a whole range of things, if we take the time to engage all their senses, rather than just one.
Using this technique can help to ‘ground’ them, bring them back to their bodies, and to the present moment. In doing so, when we come back to our bodies, we rest our busy minds.
Remember this pandemic is affecting our little ones, just in different ways. Helping them navigate their stresses, strains and worries is our parenting job, despite how upside down we feel right now.
Practicing coming into the body may just help them leave those worries aside for a moment.
So next time you’re out for your Lockdown Walk, or you can even do in the house, practice engaging all their senses.
“What can you see?”
“What can you hear?”
What can you feel, or touch?”
“What can you smell?”
“What can you taste, or what does the air feel like in your nose, can you see the cold air as you breath?”
See then if you can get them to breathe in and out slowly, maybe three or four times. This breathing helps relax, and restore, bringing their own internal soothing systems online.
Helping bring them into their bodies can literally help calm their minds.
This month we are celebrating gratitude, amid the negativity. Helping them to see the positives is especially important for them, and us right now. So perhaps you could add that in — “What are you grateful / happy / thankful for today?”.
You can make a Gratitude Jar to keep them in, or parents can join our new Gratitude WhatsApp group to share daily gratitude in what is fast becoming a wonderfully inspiring community.
