That space video.

Hi, Sam here.

Welcome to Radio Headspace and to Monday.

So I received a question from a parent about when and how to introduce their child to mindfulness.

With this in mind, I thought it would be helpful to talk about ways to introduce mindfulness

to kids and give some tips on how to use these methods for anyone at any age.

And if you've been practicing mindfulness for a while, this could also be a good refresher.

So let's start at the beginning.

Here are the main components of mindfulness.

First, mindfulness includes the ability to observe both our internal feelings and thoughts,

and external environment without judgment.

Next, it includes the ability to describe by putting words to our thoughts and feelings.

And finally, it encompasses the skills of paying attention to the present moment

and allowing or accepting our experience to be just as it is.

As you reflect on these components of mindfulness, which capacities do you think young children

would be able to develop?

Which ones do you think would be difficult, even for you?

The most common issue that I've worked on with children is emotional regulation.

When you're helping a child in the midst of an intense emotion, it's helpful to first

use a calming strategy, like mindful breathing or movement, before trying to reassure them.

In a heightened state of distress, it's pretty difficult to regulate our emotional state

through helpful thoughts until the physiological stress response has eased up a bit.

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