Teaching mindfulness practices from a young age

Life is busy – even for little kids. They wake up, get dressed, rush out to childcare or kindy and follow a pretty packed program until it’s time to head home for dinner, bath and bed.

Mindfulness is a wonderful way to slow down and be present in the moment. It provides a wonderful opportunity to notice thoughts, feelings and experiences without judging them.

Now, we want to help very young children to experience the benefits of mindfulness. Here’s why (and how!).

How a mocha started a movement

Like many people, Think2Be Healthy’s Chris Gaborit has a local ‘coffice’, a favourite coffee shop that doubles as a workspace sometimes.

One morning, the barista asked what he was working on. When Chris explained he was creating a training course to equip early childhood educators with tools to teach mindfulness to young children, his barista exclaimed, ‘That’s exactly what my granddaughter needs to combat her anxiety!’

She then told Chris about her granddaughter, a four-year-old girl navigating the complexities of life post-divorce amidst the echoes of a global pandemic. Her world seemed overwhelming, manifesting in anxiety that left her trembling with fear.

Psychological distress in young children

Unfortunately, the barista’s granddaughter is not alone in her distress.

In 2022, the Australian Psychological Society surveyed psychologists about changes they’d noticed in the mental health and wellbeing of Aussie kids since 2020.

The findings were alarming. Psychologists reported that very young children (aged 18 months to 5 years) were showing sharp increases in:

  • Separation anxiety disorder (36% increase in 2 years)
  • ADHD (27% increase in 2 years)
  • Generalised anxiety disorder (26% increase in 2 years)
  • Autism spectrum disorder (25% increase in 2 years)
  • Sleep concerns (23% increase in 2 years).

It’s heartbreaking to see such high levels of distress among the youngest members of our community (and the findings were even worse for older children). There are undoubtedly many factors at play like pandemic-related stress, family relationships, climate anxiety and cost of living stress.

As the Australian Psychological Society notes, kids ‘don’t get a second chance to relive their childhood and develop into mentally healthy and capable adults.’

At Think2Be Healthy, we want to do our part to help. That’s why we’re training our early childhood educators to support young children through mindfulness techniques.

Join our community

Introducing Think2Be Healthy’s mindfulness program for educators of under-5s

Our mindfulness program for educators of 0-5s addresses a critical gap in early childhood education: nurturing mental and emotional well-being.

This program isn’t just about teaching mindfulness; it’s about empowering educators to cultivate a generation of mindful, compassionate, and resilient children. It’s about lighting a spark of awareness and kindness that children will carry with them, shaping a more mindful future for all.

Our program is meticulously designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of mindfulness techniques tailored to the developmental needs of young learners.

It will:

  • Address the foundational aspects of mindfulness
  • Develop practical strategies that integrate seamlessly into daily routines
  • Cover the science of mindfulness including its:
    • Impact on the developing brain
    • Role in enhancing emotional regulation and resilience in children
  • Equip you with a mindfulness toolkit packed
    • Exercises
    • Breathwork
    • Other activities that foster a supportive learning environment conducive to growth, curiosity, and empathy.

We’ve created this with the needs of early childhood educators in mind – and with a big emphasis on flexibility, convenience and accessibility. The program is delivered online through self-paced interactive eLearning modules supported by downloadable resources. You’ll also be part of a community of practice (through forums and live webinars) that will support you as you implement mindfulness techniques into your classroom.

What difference could mindfulness make to your childcare room?

As education researchers note,

When well taught and when practised regularly, [mindfulness] has been shown to be capable of improving mental health and well‐being, mood, self‐esteem, self‐regulation, positive behaviour and academic learning.

Teachers across New York City are undergoing training in mindfulness with the government now requiring all schools to provide 2-5 minutes of mindful breathing from pre-K to 12th grade. That’s because they believe mindful breathing will  ‘improve the culture in our classrooms by boosting social-emotional learning among our kids.’

Mindfulness may also foster empathy, help kids consider other perspectives and equip them to thrive in an increasingly complex and rapidly changing world.

How can you get involved?

If you’re an early childhood educator, then we’d love you to join our mindfulness program.

To start transforming your classroom into a sanctuary of calm, focus and emotional well-being, please register your interest in the program at

If you’re a parent seeking mindfulness sessions for your young child, then stay tuned. We’ll be rolling out this specially designed mindfulness program across our network of Sesame Lane Childcare Centres, to nurture your child’s mental and emotional health from the ground up. Visit www.sesamelane.com.au to find a centre near you and explore how we incorporate mindfulness into our daily routines, fostering an environment where every child can thrive.

Disclaimer

All information is general and not intended as a substitute for professional advice.

References

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