Mindfulness activities for kids and parents
It can be hard for kids to find the energy for extra classes at the end of the school day.
At the same time, it’s important for kids to have the opportunity to improve their language skills with after-school English classes. So how can you help them to reset their focus and feel calm and centred going into their English lesson?
Mindfulness activities can help. Here are some activities that you can do together before an English class.After a full day at school children can often feel tired or overstimulated. Mindfulness can help them to feel calmer and to get ready to focus again.
Bring a snack for mindful eating
It’s hard to concentrate on an empty stomach, so bringing your kids a snack to eat in the break between school and English class can give them a little energy boost and help them to focus on learning. Make sure it’s a healthy snack, like a piece of fruit, some nuts or a sandwich, that will give their brain the nutrients it needs.
Having a snack is also an opportunity to disconnect after the school day. Practise mindfulness by focusing on the present and their experiences in the moment. Instead of rushing along to class, take a moment to sit down together and give your child time to eat slowly and mindfully.
Focus through the five senses
On the way to class, get your kids to engage all five senses as a way to pause for a moment and truly be aware of their environment.
So, whether you’re in the car, walking or on public transport, ask your children to follow these instructions. First, ask them to point out to you five things they can see. It’s a chance to really look at those things and talk about the colours or patterns, light and shadows. Then move on to four things they can feel. It could be the ground under their feet or their clothes on their body or wind on their skin.
After that, ask them to listen for three things they can hear. It’s often surprising just how many sounds it’s possible to pick out when you’re really listening carefully. Then, the other two senses are smell and taste, which will probably be harder. So ask them to find two things they can smell, and one thing they can taste. Maybe the last one will be the snack you give them!
Try a bubble breathing exercise
Breathing exercises are a great way of helping kids to focus on their bodies and bringing them back to the present. Here are two ways to use the idea of bubbles to create calm.
● You need to take a big breath in to blow a bubble and you need to blow out gently so that the bubble doesn’t burst. This is exactly like mindful, relaxing breathing. So encourage your child to pretend that they are blowing bubbles while they inhale and exhale on the way to class.
● Get children to pretend to be a bubble. With every breath in, they imagine themselves filling up with air, just like a bubble. With every breath out, they picture themselves floating away. This exercise is calming for children who might be overexcited after a day at school.
Give them a goodbye hug
Sometimes the period between school and an after-school class can be short, and getting your child into class on time is the priority. But if you don’t have time for other mindfulness activities before English class, a hug can provide a simple moment of mindful connection before class, no matter what age your child is.
During your goodbye hug, don’t let go first. When you’re hugging your child, it’s important for them to decide when they’ve had enough. That way you can be sure that they’ve had the hug they needed – and that’s important, even when you’re in a rush!
Try it today!
Mindfulness activities for kids have so many benefits. As well as helping kids focus at school and in after-school classes, mindfulness can also help your child or teenager to feel less stressed and anxious. So try these activities on the way to English class. You might just be surprised at the effect they have on your child’s ability to focus and concentrate in class. These mindfulness techniques are also a nice way of connecting with your child.
Looking for more ways to help your child learn English? Maybe you need ideas for establishing a routine after the holidays? Or perhaps you need some strategies to support your child with homework? Our blog has lots of good suggestions for helping your child back to school.