Welcome to Wonder Bowl.
How are you doing?
This is day 13 of mindfulness in isolation.
Today we're going to try a few mindfulness exercises,
Especially for kids.
Research shows that mindfulness helps kids with attention and with self-regulation.
It's also super helpful for kids who suffer from anxiety.
Mindfulness helps kids create space around their worries so they don't get swallowed up by them.
There are so many little things you can do to practise mindfulness with your children.
Teach them about mindful hand washing from day two.
Or lie in the grass and watch clouds go by.
Teach them simple five count breathing when they're upset.
Mindfulness is a great thing to introduce early because if you can make it a habit then it will be with them for a lifetime.
Okay,
Today we're going to do a mindful treasure hunt.
This is best done in a safe outdoor space like a garden,
But it can also be done indoors.
Pause if you need some more time to get your kids and yourself sorted.
Okay,
Everyone ready?
Here's your challenge.
Have a look around you and find a small treasure.
It might be a leaf or rock,
A small toy or some other treasure.
It should be small enough to fit in your hand and something you're interested in.
Okay,
Go.
Pause this recording and press play again when you've got your treasure.
Hey,
How did your treasure hunt go?
Did you find something small and special?
Great.
Now hold your treasure in your hand and close your eyes.
Take a big deep breath in and breathe out with a big whoosh.
Now we're going to engage all of your super spidey senses to explore this object.
We're going to imagine that we have just landed from outer space and have never encountered an object like this before.
What does it feel like in your hand?
With your eyes still closed,
Explore the object with your sense of touch.
Is it smooth or rough,
Soft or hard?
Are there different textures or is it all the same?
Spend a few more minutes feeling your treasure.
In a minute,
We're going to open our eyes and pretend we are seeing this strange object for the first time ever.
Now we will use our eyes to explore this treasure.
Turn it over in your hands and look at every single detail.
Slowly and carefully take it all in.
Now bring the treasure up to your ear.
Does it make a noise when you rub your hand or your fingernail across it?
What else can you hear?
What other spidey senses do you have?
Does your treasure have a smell?
Nice work treasure hunters.
You used your senses to connect with the here and now.
This is called mindfulness and it's good for your brain and good for your body.
You can use mindfulness when you're doing all sorts of things.
One day at a time.
Thanks for being here.
