There is a lot of research out there proving that teaching kids to be mindful has positive effects on their learning as well as their connections to their peers. Mindful students are more engaged and empowered to learn. There are tons of ways to teach kids about and how to be mindful.  We are happy to share some things that we have to offer to create and support increased focus, more interactive student learning and increased understanding or one’s feelings and emotions.

To kick this off, we created a printable that you can download FREE and put up in your home or classroom.  This printable can be used in several different ways.

• It can hang as a resource to be observed and read when noticed.  Every little bit helps.
• A different numbered practice can be worked on or talked about each day.
• When children are demonstrating one of the behaviors, it can be recognized and praised.
• When one of the behaviors could have helped a situation turn in to a better outcome, it can be used as a discussion too.

We sell many items in our stores that we find to support and encourage mindful practices. We are sharing four of our favorites in this post for you. Putty Scents by MindWare – A favorite of both kids and adults alike, putty is the popular sensory tool that’s great for kneading, molding, stretching—and now—with amazing aromas, too!

Chime Hearts – We cannot adequately describe how beautiful these chime hearts are. The colorful designs and the calming beautiful sound they make when shaken make these a fabulous tool for calming. When giving them to a kiddo, tell them that every time they hear the chime it is a reminder of how much they matter and are loved, just they way they are. The hearts are 1 1/2″ in size so fit easily in a lunchbox or backpack.

Mindful Kids Cards – These 50 Mindfulness Activity cards offer AMAZING and awesome ways to teach kids mindful ways to start their day, find calm, focus, open their hearts and rest/relax. They work at home and in the classroom. Truth be told, we find they are just as effective for adults as kids. This means the activities are perfect for families, entire classrooms and maybe even faculty meetings! They come with a fold out set of directions and ways to best use them.

Gel Sensory Floor Tile – Encourage sensory integration and gross motor skills with this squishy and colorful Gel Floor Tile. Kids love to step on the mesmerizing tile to watch how the gel moves under their footsteps. Young children enjoy pushing the gel around with their hands to observe the colors merge. Set up several to cover an entire floor in your clinic or sensory room, or place four or more in your classroom where sensory-seeking students can sit, kneel or step.

Mindfulness.  It Matters!!!

Love,

Your Friends at Beyond the Blackboard