TIPS FOR MINDFULNESS

CALMING FOR CHILDREN

TODAY is World Mindfulness Day, and NGO WISE (Wellbeing in Schools and Education) aims to put the spotlight on mindfulness and its role in helping to reduce violence.

“What we need are grassroot level solutions, we need to be addressing the cause, and not only the symptoms. We need to use our school systems to start reaching children from a young age, many of whom are suffering from trauma themselves, which can lead to cycles of violence,” said psychologist and WISE cofounder Carol Surya.

Surya, and co-founder Carmen Clews, work in vulnerable schools in the Western Cape teaching mindfulness techniques to children from as young as five years old.

“They are experiencing high rates of violence, abuse and poverty. A lot of the angry and violent adults we see today are often a product of abuse and suffer from chronic low self-esteem,” said Clews.

Surya offers the following tips for parents and caregivers to practise mindfulness with children at home:

◆ “Recharge” together – lie down on your backs with your feet up on a chair and close your eyes for a few minutes. You could play calming music or chat about the best part of your day. To come out of it, bring your knees towards your chest; roll over and wait a few seconds before slowly sitting up.

◆ Take a breather – stop what you are doing and just take a few moments to breathe deeply and slowly.

◆ “Time-in” – tune into your inner-world. Gently focus your attention on your breath.

◆ Imagine a safe natural place – use this visualisation to feel calm and peaceful.