IMPORTANT when doing Yoga or Breathing exercises or Mindfulness training with young children - it must always be fun and playful. This game releases stress from both you and your child! This yoga practice is also good for correct breathing. Keep exercise short. The main thing is not if you or your child does it right or wrong – most important that you all enjoy it! So let go of all expectations and enjoy the ride!
Here we go!
Get your child ready for bed.
Let your child/ fetch his/her favourite cuddly toy.
Get one for yourself as well!
Introduce your cuddly toy….. for example …“this is Teddy and he is very tired” or “this is Teddy and he is longing for his mum” or “this is Teddy and he had a very busy day” etc etc. Choose only one of the above or your own.
Keep it short……no explanations of why - how or -when….
Now let your child introduce his/her cuddly toy. This can be interesting ☺
JUST LISTEN and nod approvingly – DO NOT ASK FURTHER QUESTIONS NOW!
Tell your child that both cuddly toys are very tired, but they have difficult falling asleep, so we need to help them. One way of doing this is by laying down on your back and place your cuddly toy on your belly, now breathe…. very slowly….. in and out through your nose - when you breathe in your belly rise like a big balloon and when you breathe out your belly looks like a flat balloon – do this 3 times together with your child (in and out – counts as one time). “Can you feel how your belly gently rocks your cuddly toy and who is now very sleepy and will soon fall asleep….just like you”.
Now sit quietly beside your child and close your own eyes and keep breathing slowly and deeply…..if your child is restless….just say “mummy/daddy is sitting next to you to meditate, this makes me calm and very happy"
This game serves several important points – your child get your 100% attention which will lower his stress and calm him/her down and you will perhaps find out something you were not aware of regarding your child. But do not lift this issue now, just acknowledge it, but bare it in mind and talk about it the next day. So not so many words and no questions! ☺
“Your mind is like a parachute ….it functions only when open”
Please feel free to ask questions in the comments section!
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