ASK THE EXPERT
I PRACTISE mindfulness and would like to encourage my five-year old son. Where do I start?
DR MIRIAM STOPPARD (pictured) says: I try to use mindfulness when I can, in a very simple form – literally, being in the present – and that has the effect of excluding painful memories from the past, preventing me from getting anxious over “what ifs” and worrying about things in the future that I have no control over. I see it as being my emotional armour.
TIMING IS IMPORTANT
YOUNG children can benefit from practising mindfulness and can be really good at it.
You could start with something very simple such as blowing and watching bubbles for no other purpose than to be present.
There’s no preferred age to start mindfulness, you can begin at any time, but make sure the language you use is simple enough for your child to understand.
BE OPEN AND EXPLAIN TO THEM WHAT MINDFULNESS MEANS
IT CAN be hard for children to practise mindfulness as there are so many distractions and stimulation around.
Talk to your kids about what to expect from mindfulness and prepare them for certain obstacles in approaching it.
You should practise it together so your child will feel comfortable sharing their own experiences.
WHERE AND HOW TO DO IT
BEING outdoors surrounded by nature is a place to start.
Spring and summer are great because there are so many things going on – flowers blooming, fruits and vegetables growing, birds chirping, bees buzzing, all great things to focus on.
The aim is to increase the length of time you and your child are experiencing it.
The more you can reduce distractions or frustration, the longer you can go.
Don’t forget to discuss their experiences afterwards and talk about how they feel.