5 Mindfulness Activities for Pre-Schoolers

In the hustle and bustle of our modern world, it's never too early to introduce mindfulness to young children. At Three Trees Learning Centre, we believe teaching mindfulness to pre-schoolers can have lasting positive effects on their emotional and social development.

Mindfulness helps children to stay present, manage their emotions, and build resilience. Here are some simple and engaging mindfulness activities that parents, whānau and kaiako can try with preschool-aged tamariki.

1. Breathing Buddies

This activity helps children focus on their breath, promoting relaxation and awareness. Give your child a small stuffed animal, which will be their "breathing buddy." Have your children lie on their back and place the stuffed animal on their stomach, then ask them to watch their buddy rise and fall as they take deep breaths in and out. This visual and tactile experience makes the concept of mindful breathing accessible and fun for young children.

2. Sensory Exploration

Mindfulness is all about paying attention to the present moment, and sensory activities are perfect for this. Create a sensory bin filled with various textured items like rice, beans, or sand. Encourage your tamariki to explore the bin with their hands, describing what they feel, see and hear. This activity helps them to focus on their senses and enhances their sensory awareness.

3. Mindful Movements

Incorporating movement into mindfulness can be very engaging for young children. Simple yoga poses like "tree pose" or "butterfly pose" can help children focus on their bodies and movements. Encourage your child to move slowly and mindfully, paying attention to how their bodies feel in each pose. This not only promotes physical health but also enhances their body awareness and balance.

4. Gratitude Practice

Teaching gratitude helps children develop a positive outlook and appreciation for the world around them. Create a "gratitude tree" by drawing a tree on a large piece of paper and hanging it on the wall. Each day, encourage your children to add a leaf to the tree, writing or drawing something they are grateful for. This simple practice helps them focus on the positive aspects of their lives and fosters a sense of appreciation.

5. Mindful Storytime

Reading stories can be a calming and mindful activity for preschoolers. Choose books with themes of mindfulness, kindness or emotional awareness. During storytime, encourage your child to listen carefully and reflect on the story's message. Discuss the characters' feelings and actions, helping your child to connect the story to their own experiences.

Build a Lifelong Foundation of Wellbeing

Introducing mindfulness activities to your preschool-aged tamariki not only supports their emotional and social development, but also equips them with valuable tools for managing stress and building resilience. By incorporating these simple mindfulness practices into their daily routines, parents, whānau and kaiako can help children develop a lifelong foundation of mindfulness and well-being.