Image zoom Credit: Emma Darvick
Three years ago, I was sitting in on my 4-year-old s therapy session, trying to stay out of the way. Pretend you re holding lemons and squeeze your hands as tight as you can, the therapist instructed. My daughter scrunched up her face and fists. Now open your hands and shake all the juice out! They both danced around the office and we all giggled. Do you see how much calmer your body feels? My daughter nodded. She looked calmer and more at ease.
That s when I realized that she was learning a kid s version of a regulation tool I had been practicing for years: mindfulness. It made me wonder which other strategies I could adapt for my young kids. I soon left my career as a nurse and pursued a new passion as a children s mindfulness coach and yoga teacher. I now teach children calm-down strategies and give parents tools to incorporate mindfulness and regulation skills