Unlock Your Child’s Potential with Creative Mindfulness

Today, kids and young children learn creative mindfulness to enable them live in the present moment. But what is creative mindfulness for kids? Let us find out.

What is Creative Mindfulness for Kids?

Creative mindfulness for kids uniquely involves teaching mindfulness and compassion to children in fun way. In this way, the kids are able to understand and express their feelings and cultivate kindness for themselves and others.

Definition and Origins of Creative Mindfulness

Enjoying the process of something you are doing is called creative mindfulness. It focuses on the journey and not the result. It uses the principles of mindfulness but this time with a touch of creativity in order to promote overall well-being.

While research is still on the way concerning the origin of creative mindfulness, mindfulness itself is rooted in Buddhism. However, in this secular world, Jon Kabat-Zinn is recognized as the one who established it in various institutions.

The Benefits of Creative Mindfulness for Children

• Focus is improved: Creative mindfulness is a sure bet to help children focus and concentrate.
• Calmness: It can help children calm and relax their minds.
• Regulates Emotions: Children experience a stream of emotions, from throwing tantrums to laughing out loud. Creative mindfulness allows them to understand and better express their feelings.
• Creativity: Children who are creatively mindful are also creative in other ways. It can make them develop skills that can even benefit them in the future.

Creative Mindfulness Techniques for Kids

• Deep breathing with intention: This technique helps to manage the emotions of children and connect them with the present moment. To begin with this technique, allow your child to sit in a comfortable place and instruct him to take in deep breaths. That is, inhale, hold for some seconds and exhale gently.
• Visualizations: This technique helps your child to harness his power of imagination. You can make use of pre-recorded guided meditation in order to harness your child capacity for imagination while guiding it in fruitful and inspiring ways.
• Mindful movement: Even children can move mindfully, but they would need a guide. Make them do kid-friendly yoga poses or create space for dance. You can play around with them with music and instruments.
• Art activities: Art is beautiful. Kids love art and they can enjoy being mindful when you introduce art to them. Art activities can include painting or drawing.

The Calm Kid: Meet Louise Shanagher, Creative Mindfulness Expert

To help children learn how to be calm, a method was introduced by Louise Shanagher. This method is widely known as the creative mindfulness kids method. It helps children learn mindfulness in a fun and creative way.

Let’s briefly talk about Louise’s background and what qualifies her as a real expert.

Louise’s Background and Qualifications

Louise Shanagher is a mindfulness teacher, coach and children’s therapist. She is the author from Co. Roscommon, Ireland. Another noteworthy thing is that Louise has a BA and MSc in Psychology.

She also has further qualifications in mindfulness, psychotherapy and play therapy. She trained originally as an Organizational Psychologist, later she decided to specialize in teaching mindfulness and self-compassion.

She is the author of Ireland’s first series of mindfulness books for children like the “mindfully me” series and the “kindfully me” series. She also co-authored “The Mindful Heart” which is the first mindfulness curriculum in Ireland. She works with young kids and visits primary and secondary schools nationwide.

Why Louise is Passionate about Creative Mindfulness for Kids

Louise is indeed passionate about teaching kids creative mindfulness to the extent that she has introduced tens of thousands of people to the practice. She went this far because she believes it can transform people’s lives. She also trusts that it can help kids live happier and healthier lives.

Success Stories from Louise’s Workshops (quotes/testimonials)

Dr. Christopher Willard – “The time I spent with Louise was the most practical and most inspiring of all the trainings I have participated in. I learned so much and walked away with many ideas in just few hours. I can’t wait to learn more from her”

Lyndsie Storer – “She is an authentic teacher and I cannot recommend her enough. If you are still contemplating if you should book her, you better hurry because eit will be life changing for you”

Shelly Finn – “I thoroughly enjoyed the course. I would love to come again. It actually exceeded my expectation. Louise is a fantastic mentor and has a warm and caring presence.”

Creative Mindfulness Activities: A Sneak Peek

Creative mindfulness activities provide kids an excellent opportunity to be engaged and to develop valuable self-care tools that will last a lifetime. These activities can be performed by young kids of any age. Discretion is advised as kids are different with what they can handle.

Mindful Breathing Exercises for Kids

This is pretty cool to help your kid start a simple meditation practice. You can start with just a minute or two and try to get them up to 5 minutes or longer. So get your kid placed on a comfortable position and do the following:

• Get your timer started
• Have your kid place one hand over their chest or belly and close their eyes.
• Ask them to breathe normally and follow their breath as they do so. With their hands properly placed, it will be easy to follow each breath and be focused.
• They can count each inhalation and exhalation to ten before starting one again.

You can also the above exercise before bed as it will help children learn how to calm the mind.

Mindful Art and Crafts Projects

These projects combine mindfulness and artistic expression that makes children engaged and involved in the creative process. There are numerous projects that can be introduced to them:

• Drawing: Kids can be taught to practice breath drawing by drawing on paper anything that comes to mind whenever they exhale. Or they can do nature drawing like plants, trees or flowers.
• Drip painting: Kids are taught to explore different colors and moods by dripping paint on their papers. Kids can be shown to draw a few abstract art.
• Gratitude Jar: This helps kids to improve their emotions and to maintain focus. You can have kids write down something they are grateful for and put it in a jar. Tell them to write as many as they want if they want their jar to be filled.
• Pottery: You can invite kids to deliberate shape or mold clay into different shapes. This is usually fun for kids as they learn to play around objects. It is a way to make them mindful.
• Bubble blowing: The kids are taught to focus on their breath and the bubble they create. They should observe how the bubbles form, float and pop. This project helps them get rid of negative thoughts and feelings.

Mindful Movement and Yoga for Kids

Mindful movement can help kids enhance their body awareness, coordination and balance. You can introduce stretching, yoga, dancing or even walking. Ask the kids to stand or sit comfortably and notice their posture.

Encourage them to pay attention to how their body feels and responds. Breathing deeply should not be left out.

Simple yoga for kids accompanied by mindful breathing are fun and engaging. You can introduce animal poses such as camel pose or cobra pose. You can even incorporate imaginative scenarios.

Learn the Accredited Online Creative Mindfulness for Kids Training

The Accredited Creative Mindfulness Kids Method introduces mindfulness to kids in creative ways. They learn to be calm and relax their minds and better express their thoughts through art, crafts, visualization and discussion.

Enrolling in this course gives you access to various course materials. While it is recommended that you savor the entire course in 2 months, it is understandable that each participant is unique. And the schedule is flexible.

Course Content and Overview of Curriculum

The course is internationally accredited by the IMMA (International Mindfulness and Meditation Alliance) meaning you can practice creative mindfulness anywhere in the world.
The course includes:

• Up to 10 modules
  Module 1: Introduction to Creative Mindfulness for Kids Method
  Module 2: Webinars and Personal Practice Sessions to help deepen your practice
  Module 3: Meaning of mindfulness and basic techniques for kids
  Module 4: The structure of a mindfulness class
  Module 5: Advanced mindfulness practices to help children manage emotions
  Module 6: Mindfulness for children with additional needs
  Module 7: Teaching the first wsdpart of the Mindful Heart Curriculum
  Module 8: Teaching the second part of the Mindful Heart Curriculum
  Module 9: A final interview with Louise – Closing Practice
  Module 10: Bonus material.
• Up to 7 audio tracks
• 33 PDFs and 1 curriculum
• 89 amazing videos
• 6 assessments and
• 1 accredited certificate

Become a Certified Creative Mindfulness Practitioner for Kids

Upon successful completion, participants will be awarded a practitioner certificate in the Creative Mindfulness Kids Method. So hurry and grab your slot. Whether you are a teacher, therapist, mental health professional, parents or anyone interested in working in this area, do yourself a favor and enroll for the training.

Online Training Bundle: Resources and Materials Included

You can download the following resources on the website creative-mindfulness.com.

• Research articles
• Creative mindfulness research
• Newspaper articles
• Documents
• Meditation
• Videos
• Workshops and lesson plans

Why Creative Mindfulness is a Game-Changer for Kids

Introducing mindfulness to kids in a creative way is something that is taking over the world. Kids are reportedly enjoying every second of it. Testimonials fly up and down to show that it really benefits. But why should kids even learn to be mindful? It is because problems overwhelm them too.

Statistics on Childhood Stress, Anxiety, and Attention Challenges

Within the space of three years, about 6 million children were said to have attention deficit disorder. Anxiety and depression were other common problems found in kids. These children are aged between 3 and 17. And research shows that little or nothing is done to help these ones. This is the reason why many young ones go into teen depression, self-injury and even commit suicide.

How Creative Mindfulness Helps Children Thrive

Creative mindfulness helps kids in the sense that it improves their academic performance. It also supports their cognitive control, working memory and attention. Reduction of anxiety levels is also experienced.
It also shows benefits in helping kids reduce stress and rumination and boosting focus. It also helps to improve a child’s sleep and stable behavioral issues.

Positive Testimonials from Parents and Teachers

Karen Shehan – “I started this course for my son who was suffering from anxiety. Louise did a really great work. Her course is absolutely beautiful. It is the best thing I have ever done for myself and my son”

Anne Maher – “I love the online course by Louise. I have the utmost confidence that I will be able to teach mindfulness to children and to do the practice for myself”.

Emma – “The online creative mindfulness for kids is mind blowing. It makes so much sense that you put in the effort and organize the class in such a nice away. I am really shocked to see how it has personally affected my practice.”

Get Started with Creative Mindfulness Today

This is a wakeup call to start your mindfulness journey as soon as possible. If you know you need more training to teach, contact the creative mindfulness website and enroll so you can teach with authenticity, integrity and compassion.

If you also want to deepen your practice, do not hesitate. Get started immediately and you will not regret it.

Mindful Glitter Jar

Mindful glitter jars act as a tactile and visual aid to support a child’s breathing process. As the child gets upset, they can shake the jar and set the glitter whirling around. As they put the jar down, they can focus on their breath. Then, as their breathing rate slows down, they are also calm.

To make a glitter jar, get a transparent glass jar and fill it with water. Add your preferred glitter and seal the jar with hot glue. That is all.

Deep Breathing with Intention

This is a valuable skill to help children nurture emotional resilience and become more aware of their thoughts. Your child needs to be guided to sit comfortably with eyes closed.

Encourage your child to notice any sensation of air entering and leaving their body. If they experience mind wandering, gently guide their attention back to their breath.

Bundles

There are extension courses and additional modules that can equip you to teach mindfulness to preschoolers and teenagers. These bundles can also empower you on good parenting and compassion practices. You will find these below:

Enroll in Louise’s Online Course

The courses below are paid courses that you can enroll in:

1. Accredited Creative Mindfulness Kids Training
2. Mindful Parenting Training
3. Mindfulness for Teenagers Training
4. Mindfulness for Preschool Children Training

Access Free Creative Mindfulness Resources and Tips

Enroll yourself to get access to articles published by Louise Shanagher herself. You will also get free resources from the Mindfully me and Kindfully me series. You will also be able to access YouTube videos for children including animations. You will also receive documents containing meditations, workbook pages and other useful creative mindfulness resources.

Join the Creative Mindfulness Community for Kids

If you are a qualified practitioner, sign up on the website to join the creative mindfulness community. You can sign up with your google account or whatever email you have and you will be contacted.

FAQ’s:

How would you explain mindfulness for kids?

It involves being present here and now, observing thoughts without judgment.

How do you teach children mindfulness?

You can guide them into practicing simple mindful techniques like breathing, drawing or painting.

What is mindfulness in simple terms?

It simply means living in the present moment.

What are 5 ways I can practice mindfulness?

The first is to observe your thoughts, then focus on one task at hand. Third, you breathe deeply. Fourth you do mindful movements and fifth you stay in the present.

What is the main point of mindfulness?

It is to be fully aware of your feelings at the present moment without judgment.

How does mindfulness affect child development?

It reduces their social anxiety levels and can even improve academic performance.

Why is it important to teach children mindfulness?

It is important to help them notice their emotions and move to a neutral one.