5 Fab Books for Kids About Mindfulness
Encouraging kids to be more mindful is something that any parent can do. Unlock your child's inner calm by nurturing their imaginations through books. Developing their inner calm; supporting them to feel less stressed, anxious or sad and better able to approach life's changes with confidence. Here are five of our current favourites from authors and mindfulness teachers.
1. ALPHABREATHS: The ABCs of Mindful Breathing
In Alphabreaths, children learn both their ABCs and the basics of mindfulness through playful exercises and vivid illustrations they'll want to come back to again and again. Each letter of the alphabet teaches a simple mindfulness or compassion-based practice. Kids will spread their arms like beautiful butterfly wings, imagine blowing out candles on a birthday cake, and be as still and silent as a ninja. With breaths like Heart Breath and Wish Breath, they will remember to fill their heart with gratitude and send good wishes to others. Alphabreaths offers a meaningful introduction to mindfulness for children, all while keeping them delighted with imaginative inspiration and hours of fun.
2. Find Your Calm: Activities to help when you're feeling anxious
This sensitive, empathetic, full-colour activity book is perfectly designed to help children discuss and process their feelings.
Developed in consultation with professional child psychologist Dr. Katie O'Connell, this selection of 30+ drawing, colouring and puzzle-solving activities offer a chance for all children to explore and express emotions in a safe way.
Each fun activity builds resilience, releases inner calm, improves understanding or emotions and encourages positivity.
3. Anytime Yoga: Fun and Easy Exercises for Concentration
Simple yoga poses for kids ages 4-8 to practice throughout the day, for energy in the morning, focus during the day, and to sleep well at night.
Join Kika and her little monkey Yazoo as they introduce 14 simple yoga poses for kids. Each pose in this book includes easy-to-follow instructions and will show kids how yoga can help them relax, develop focus, and increase their sense of well-being. Organized by 'Awake' and 'Focus' poses, you can tailor the series to either help kids start moving in the mornings or increase concentration at school or before homework. Whether you have 15 minutes or an hour, the series of poses are adaptable and can be done with just one kid or in a larger classroom setting. The book also includes four guided meditations that can be read aloud to complement the yoga practices.
The Breathing Book
Learn the power of mindful breathing through the fun and interactive exercises in this book.
With The Breathing Book, young readers discover the power of mindful awareness through a series of breathing practices and engaging activities designed to calm the mind and body, set positive intentions, and spark creativity and imagination.
A book that's much more than just a book, this interactive offering from Christopher Willard and Olivia Weisser invites readers to bring their full attention to the sights, sounds, and tactile
sensations that arise as they explore the practices on each page with awareness.
With simple instructions and delightful illustrations, you'll use your breath to bring this book to life by turning the pages ... balancing the book on your head, hand, or belly ... tracing shapes and labyrinths ..."reframing" troubling thoughts and feelings ... sending kind wishes to people and our planet ... and many more activities that can be practiced again and again.
Happy: A Children's Book of Mindfulness
We breathe deep and expand like the galaxy,
We breathe out many thousands of stars,
And if ever we start to feel panicky,
This reminds us of just who we are. The perfect soothing read for quiet time, Happy gently encourages young readers to explore their emotions and the beautiful world around them. This poetic journey to a place of happiness and calm will inspire and empower your child to enjoy the practice of mindfulness.
