As we approach the holiday season, it’s important to realize that they can be fun and exciting for many, but challenging and overwhelming for others.  It’s critical that we provide our children with strategies and tools to help with mindfulness and regulating their emotions.  In actuality, these strategies are useful to anyone as we all feel the stress and anxiety of the holidays in some way.

Many of us attempt to implement mindfulness throughout the year, but like preparing for an upcoming test we may need to increase and incorporate more practice during these times.  We know the schedule for school between the middle of November to January is filled with long weekends or breaks.  The schedule and routine we worked so hard to develop and put in place during September and October is quickly challenged.

We all need to acknowledge that schedule changes impact us all.  The increase of sporting events, band or chorus concerts, parent/teacher conferences and even daylight savings have significant impact.  You also need to consider the financial and emotional stressors this time of the year brings to families.

Let’s be proactive and increase our mindfulness to try to help our students.  We need to continue to teach our students that self care and being mindful is important for all of us. Continuing this path will demonstrate to students that we care about their ability to attend, self regulate their emotions, compassion, and calming.  It’s critical that we practice understanding, labeling emotions and what we can do to help process. The more we lead, practice and implement mindfulness, the greater chance a student will learn and utilize.  

Here are some resources to support you and your students.

51 Mindfulness Exercises for Kids

Mindfulness for kids and teens

Mindful Schools

Teaching Mindfulness Skills to Kids and Teens

#standreadytosupport

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