Camps: Arts + Activities

attention to their thoughts. Here is an easy strategy for getting started:

1. Ask your child to pick a comfortable spot. 2. Tell them that they can keep their eyes open or close them, whichever they feel most comfortable doing. 3. Ask them to think of someone they like who admires them in return (for example, a friend, grandparent, teacher). 4. Ask them how that person makes them feel. 5. Ask them to send that person a kind wish.

If your child is comfortable with this practice, you can gradually move to thoughts about neutral people or even people they may be in conflict with.

Mindfulness in the moment The easiest and most effective way to introduce mindfulness practices to your family routine is to incorporate brief “mindfulness moments” on a regular basis. If you need more help, child-friendly books such as “Breathe Like a Bear: 30 Mindful Moments for Kids to Feel Calm and Focused Anytime, Anywhere,” “Pengwee’s Breath” and “Sitting Still Like a Frog: Mindfulness Exercises for Kids (and Their Parents)” are great options for teaching your child about the importance of focusing on the present moment and how mindfulness can help them find calm. ■ Sanya Pelini, Ph.D., transforms educational research into practical tools and resources on her blog Raising Independent Kids (raising-independent-kids.com).

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