Our teachers work with children in every classroom to help them learn to breathe, relax, reduce stress and calm their bodies. They help children understand how to manage their emotions, work well with others and cooperate. We try to equip children with strategies to manage stress. And yes, children feel stress too. A few of the tools we use are Tucker Turtle, yoga, a calming cube, reading tents, playing in nature and quiet areas.
Here are a few micro mindfulness ideas you can do solo or as a family:
- Take a yoga break. Read Mindful Moves and try a few of the calming practices.
- Stretch.
- Breathe in for three counts. Breathe out for three counts.
- Foam roll your entire body.
- Meditate. Journal. Color. Doodle.
- Spend time outside in the sunshine.
- Eat. Drink. Sleep for 8-10 hours.
- Try an infra-red sauna @Get Well Soon.
- Connect with family and friends.
- Take breaks from social media and the news.
- Garden. Plant. Weed. Pick flowers and put them in a vase. Put plants around your home.
- Cook.
- Take a walk at the beach or park.
- Ride a bike.
- Need to calm down? Hold an ice cube to help your brain refocus.
- Grab an orange and smell it.
- Close your eyes and visualize the waves at the ocean.
- Play with your cat or dog.
- Talk about what is on your mind.
- Make a calming cube, bounce on an exercise ball or create a tent.
How do you make a reading tent or quiet area? Use a white light or colored sheet, put it over a table and crawl inside. A calming cube could be made out of a recycled box. Or, use a real tent with cozy pillows and blankets.
Take care of yourself this May. Consider your mental health as well as your child’s. Try to do one thing each day to support your family’s emotional well-being. It all adds up!
Lisa Howard
President + CEO
E3: Elevate Early Education | The New E3 School | Raise Your Hand, Virginia Campaign