in the garden – how to grow mindfulness enrichment
Health and Wellbeing are integral parts of our children’s enrichment. There is a sense of calm and wonder that comes from connecting to the earth and gardening, not to mention children can learn about nature and science. If you ever wanted to learn the positive impact gardening has on our children’s wellbeing. Please check out the short list of articles and activities.
How Gardening Can Teach Your Child Life Skills – Plus, ideas to get them digging in the garden
From the National Geographic/Family
This is one of my favorite articles in this entire post. Not only do the authors touch on mindfulness but they also inform the reader how being in the garden can enrich our lives by enhancing life skills like patience, mindfulness, responsibility, kindness, and self-esteem. Then they really break it down, thank you National Geographic!
For example, read about how gardening can teach your child to be kind. This article gives you short and simple snippets that you can easily learn, then follow. Each life skill is organized into 3 parts:
– Why your kids need it.
– How a garden helps.
– How to grow it.
Here’s a brief description from their website: “Whether your garden is on a city windowsill or in a big backyard, getting kids involved in tending plants can be a powerful teaching tool for subjects like science, math, and reading. But the art of growing stuff can also promote important life skills in children. Here’s how your garden can grow responsibility, kindness, and other values in your kids.” Check out the website below and enjoy. *Please note that you are only allotted 2 free articles from this website, unless you are interested in signing up.
SFP 97: Mindfulness for Kids [with Jessica from Lily Pad Yoga]
From Simplefamilies.com
What better way to exercise mindfulness than to put the devices away and go outside. In this episode from the Simplefamilies podcast, they interview Jessica Knopke, an Occupational Therapist and Yoga Instructor. Our take on the mindfulness activities she recommends is to take the exercises outside, whether it’s in a garden, in a park, on your sidewalk, or in the woods.
See Jessica’s list below, with a few ideas and tips from our staff. Please go to the Simple Families blog + podcast for the full article. Jessica breaks down each activity for you to practice with your child. We’ve just given you a sneak peek below.
Mindfulness for Kids at Home: 5 Simple Ideas:
Blowing on feathers. I’ve wondered if this will work with leaves. We’re going to give this a try. See what you can find around the house or in the garden, might we suggest flower petals?
Starfish breath. I’ve never done this nor have we attempted to foster a mind and body connection, at least not on purpose. It’s now on my list when I need a little time out.
Anchoring to sounds. Her take on this is from inside a room, but it can be done outside, especially on a dewy sunny morning. It might even be fun while you walk to school. Stop for a sec and listen to the sounds of your child’s school right before school starts.
Mindful eating. Omg, this one is soooo good. I’ve done it with my kids and it’s a perfect way to bring the calm when out to dinner or on a particular rowdy night.
Glitter jars. You can get creative with this one, ask your child what they want to put in the jar…. and glitter isn’t just for girls.
Cosmic Yoga – Yoga and Mindfulness: Outside in the Woods
Join the the Yoga and Mindfulness adventure with Jaime, a kids Yoga instructor extraordinaire. In this wonderful episode she includes a little vocabulary lesson on the tree pose and why it’s important. Jaime is enthusiastic, entertaining and she makes it fun. If you haven’t tried yoga, this is a great introduction and one your kids will enjoy. As a side note, my kids love her Yoga classes. When I feel like it’s time for a break or time to regroup, I put on one of our favorite classes (usually Harry Potter or Star Wars themed) and the entire family has a little fun. My husband will even join in! By the way, Jamie is a registered Children’s Yoga Teacher. Here is a quick snippet from the Cosmic Kids website: “I am a qualified adult yoga teacher (E-RYT 200) and a Registered Children’s Yoga Teacher (RCYT) accredited by Yoga Alliance.”
