SLOW DOWN
Slow Down
Mindfulness encourages us to slow down and deliberately pay attention to the present moment, and is associated with feelings of calmness and peace. Mindful walking is an exercise where a family can experience the outdoors and engage in present moment awareness. This practice can also bring about creativity and be useful in diffusing difficult emotions.
Teaching Activity
Mindful Walking Technique
When outside with your child, engage all the senses.
- Start by noticing the feeling of your feet inside your sock (shoe, or on the bare ground). Wiggle your toes.
- Then take one step, slowly, noticing how the movement feels throughout the body.
- Take a few more slow steps, noticing how it feels.
- You can also pay attention to your surroundings,
- Take a beginner's mindset – pretend that you are seeing your environment for the very first time. What stands out to you and your child?
- Have a conversation with your child about what you are experiencing.
Mindful walking is a practice that engages us in physical exercise, but it also allows us to slow down, be in the present moment, and experience a bit of peace in an often-chaotic world.
Social Skills
Quote of the Week
"Mindfulness isn't difficult. We just need to remember to do it."
- Sharon Satlzberg
Coming Up Next
IN ISSUE 3 Be Aware of Your Surroundings - 54321 Mindfulness Technique