BEST SLEEP & MENTAL HEALTH APPS TO HELP KIDS COPE DURING COVID-19

by Lauren Thomas, Slumber Yard

Children have had all traditional forms of socialization ripped away thanks to social distancing and quarantine. Schedules have been interrupted, set plans are now thrown in disarray, and socialization opportunities are drastically reduced. Now, more than ever, children need to find that extra security and comfort so they can sleep soundly. With no lack of worry to fill their heads, you can take a proactive stance and transform bedtime into a more fun, relaxing, and soothing time garnering the help of today’s top-rated bedtime tools.

MEDITATION AND MINDFULNESS APPS

These are some of the best apps to use for meditation and mindfulness at bedtime.

1. SMILING MIND (FREE)

Smiling Mind is a mindfulness app with over 5 million users. It is the work of an Australian not-for-profit created by psychologists and educators, offering specialized programs for home, work and school. It’s completely free with programs for both adults and children to improve stress, sleep, attention and concentration. It features specific areas of focus, such as wellbeing, relationships, performance, sports and even diet for a well-rounded, comprehensive app designed to improve your lifestyle, no matter your age.

2. MINDFUL POWERS

This is an app created specifically for kids - ideally ages 7-10. It uses a holistic approach to social-economical learning in order to improve early and middle childhood development. Developers have created an interactive, play-based version of a child’s diary that places a special focus on emotions and feelings from day to day. Your child will expand skills and knowledge through play while decreasing stress and anxiety – both important benefits in today’s world. Start with a free trial, and then if you like it, it’s $4.99 a month to continue with a 101-story pack.

3. HEADSPACE FOR KIDS

This app specializes in meditation that is specifically designed for kids. In addition to its regular featured content, there is a new meditation that is launched each day, so you never tire of old content. The meditation guide also includes support and advice from a real-life former Monk who can work with you to take your skills to the next level. There are both student and family plans available, and you can try out the free trial. There is a two week trial for the annual plan, which costs $69.99, or you can opt for the monthly plan with a one week trial before changing to $12.99 per month.

4. CALM

You may have already seen Calm from the commercials on TV, and it’s popular for good reason. This is an app designed to improve your sleep, meditation, and relaxation with soothing music and videos to guide stretching and movement. There are masterclass audio classes taught by expert instructors with additional nature scenes and soundtracks that you can use at work or when studying. There is also a huge library of Sleep Stories with celebrity narrators (think Matthew McConaughey) and new content added each week. You can enjoy a free one-week trial, and then you can decide whether to purchase a lifetime subscription for $399.99 or choose the regular annual membership for $69.99 that renews each year.

5. MINDFULNESS FOR CHILDREN

Created by parents for parents, Guided meditation for the entire family, including your children as young as four years old. There are breathing exercises designed to help children handle stress by lowering their anxiety and improving their focus through meditation. It also helps kids maintain a healthy emotional balance while learning to get rid of emotional stress, with special soundtracks to help your little ones sleep. We also love how hands-on the creators are, taking the time to personally respond to inquiries and issues expressed in customer reviews. It’s a simple $2.99 for the app for an affordable solution to bedtime anxiety.

6. SLEEP MEDITATIONS FOR KIDS

This app offers a different take on children’s meditation with gorgeous illustrations and 13-minute bedtime meditations with seven more available for purchase. Sleep Meditations for Kids is created by a London-based Montessori teacher named Christiane Kerr, who also founded Calm for Kids in 1999. She guides you through all of the meditations, speaking in a calm voice that many children find very soothing. The app itself is free, and you have the option to purchase extra meditation sessions at $2.99 each via in-app purchases.

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