Here are some examples of using the one-minute mindfulness exercise with children.
The instructions are kept very simple:
– You relate this exercise to the context (see examples below).
– You instruct the child to pay attention to the sensations in their and and arm as you they the ball and squeeze, then shift the ball from hand to hand.
– Note: It may be a good idea to tell the kids to put the ball in their sock drawers, so as not to mix it up with the toys.
This 11 year old girl has ADD and is often impulsive and short tempered. I showed it to her, and also asked her how she feels after she lashes out at others (of course, she said she feels badly). I suggested that she use it before lashing out at others.
Later on the same evening, she was also experiencing some stomach pain at the time. I sat with her, passing the ball from hand to hand, and also suggested that she imagine transferring the pain to the ball. She reported feeling much better.
This 5 year old girl often has a crying meltdown, and can’t stop until exhausted and depleated. I suggested that she use this to help (with emotional regulation), suggesting that she can use it so that she won’t have to “cry it out so much”.
This 7 year old boy often gets angry and kicks out at siblings, I told him he can use it to calm himself down.
