CONNECT AT MEALTIME

FAMILY MINDFULNESS Issue

CONNECT AT MEALTIME

Mindfulness encourages us to be present in the current moment and not thinking about the past or the future. Mealtimes can be a great time for families to connect with one another. Eating can also be a good opportunity to practice mindfulness.

Teaching Activity

MINDFUL EATING TECHNIQUE

There are several aspects to mindful eating.

Expressing gratitude for the food that is available and being thankful for all the individuals and processes that make that food possible begins to set the stage for mindful eating.
At the beginning of a meal, families can take time to notice how their meal looks and smells.
Chewing slowly and savoring each bite can make eating a pleasurable experience.
You can encourage your child to set down their utensil after each bite to slow down the process even more.

Slowing down to focus on how the food looks, smells, tastes, and even feels can help be more present in the moment. Try mindful eating with your family and ask them what they thought of the experience and how it was different than a routine meal. Maybe it is a new technique that everyone will want to try again.

Social Skills

Quote of the Week

"Mindfulness is a way of befriending ourselves and our experience."

- Jon Kabat-Zinn

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