Overwhelmed: Rest Practices For Kids

Rest doesn’t have to begin with sitting still or being perfectly quiet. In this lesson, we explore how breath, imagination, and play can create simple doorways into rest. Children are invited to notice that rest can begin anywhere, even in the middle of a busy day. We’ll explore how a small moment of pausing and imagining can help us make a little more space for simply being.

This playful breath practice invites children to explore breathing through imagination. We can “sip in sunshine” with a slow, smooth inhale, then let the breath float away into the sky. A simple way to experience the connection between breath, imagination, and presence.

Big energy is part of being a kid. In this lesson, we explore how movement and rest can work together, helping children notice when it’s time to power up, power down, or move between the two. Caregivers are invited to create simple transitions that make room for both.

This playful body-based practice invites children to explore the difference between effort and ease. Through squeezing, releasing, and noticing, we discover that we can make space for big energy and also make space for rest.

Noticing can be a simple way to slow down and become curious about what’s happening right now. In this lesson, we explore how children can notice sounds, sensations, and experiences both around them and within themselves, without needing to change, fix, or figure anything out. Caregivers can use this practice to gently build space for awareness and curiosity in everyday moments.

This simple awareness practice invites children and caregivers to explore what they notice around them and within themselves. We listen for sounds outside the body, notice sensations inside, and gently move our attention between the two. A playful introduction to noticing without needing to change, fix, or figure anything out.

Rest can become easier to return to when children have simple ways to recognize what feels supportive. In this lesson, we explore how movement, choice, imagination, space, and breath can create different doorways into rest. Caregivers can help children discover what helps them settle, while leaving room for their needs to change from moment to moment.

This playful guided rest journey begins with movement and choice, inviting children to shake out their wiggles, find a comfortable resting shape, and notice the space around them. From there, we explore imagination through a personal peace place and connect with the breath through a simple counting game. A gentle way to bring body, breath, awareness, and imagination together, with plenty of room to move, change position, or simply rest. As you continue exploring rest together, you can return to the parts that feel supportive and find small ways to bring these moments of pause, choice, and connection into everyday life. And if these practices have invited you to explore rest for yourself, you’re welcome to continue that journey with Amy’s adult courses, Begin Each Day with Heart and The Permission is Yours.