WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
Practicing mindfulness improves attention, increases calm feelings and encourages a happy mood, reduces stress and helps you feel compassion and empathy easily.
These are great skills to teach and share with children. Children can struggle with their emotions and behaviour and experience challenges when dealing with the emotions and behaviour of other children. Mindfulness can be hugely beneficial for all children.
Reading regularly to children is important because it improves language skills, increases bonding between parents and children and provides an opportunity for parents and children to disucss important topics.
I deliberately choose books that have a positive message about thoughts, feelings and behaviour that I can share with my children.
I have four children so it can be a challenge to find a book that they all enjoy. In my experience, stories or books about these positive messages with a clear topic and theme capture their attention and imagination.
I also believe that children are naturally living in a mindful state. They notice and appreciate the present moment and live in the now. They love to be out in nature and have a curious approach to learning and life.
I love that my children remind me with their care free attitude to practice mindfulness and inspire me to be more like them! It is so easy for me as an adult to forget that the simple things in life can provide the greatest joy.
HOW TO GET STARTED
Mindfulness can seem daunting to some. Many people have ideas or make assumptions that it is difficult or a religious concept. The truth is mindfulness is just a practice that needs to be learned and developed with patience. The key to success is to keep it simple and find an activity that suits you.
Books about mindfulness can include any of the following topics:
- Feelings
- Encouraging v. critical thoughts
- Behaviours and habits
- Human rights
- Nature and animals
- Families
- Travel
- Different cultures
- Challenging situations eg. illness
- New scenarios or ideas eg. potty training, starting school
- Philosophical or religious morals
- Food and recipes
- Exercise and the human body
- Traditional stories
- Yoga
- Meditation
TOP 15 KIDS BOOKS FOR MINDFULNESS
3. Yoga Bug
5. Mindful kids
7. I am Peace
11. Yoga and mindfulness practices card deck
13. We’re different, we are the same
15. What to do when your thoughts get stuck
20. 3 minute gratitude journal for kids
THE LAST THING YOU NEED TO KNOW
There are so many ways to teach mindfulness to children. Some children may be better suited to games and activities, others more suited to watching videos about mindfulness. My kids love flashcards and I have started encouraging my 7 year old to list a few things that she is grateful for. My kids like to list the highlights of the day too which is a great mindfulness exercise for ending the day on a positive note. It is a convenient reminder for myself too!
For those children who love books I believe blending the two ideas together is perfect!
Thanks for reading!
Do you use any favourite books to help teach your kids about mindfulness? I’d love to know!
Feel Stellar!
free cbt and mindfulness video series
A wonderful list of books for mindfulness. I feel like this is a nice list to use for the holidays as gifts.
Absolutely. What a wonderful idea. Books are the best gifts. I’m happy you found these Kid’s books for mindfulness helpful.
What a great list of books. I’d love to help teach my little mindfulness.
I hope these books will inspire you to teach your lucky little kid about mindfulness.
Thank you for this tips! Kids’ mental health should also be at forefront of their development. These books would definitely help them in their journey for mindfulness.
Thank you for your wise words. Kids’ mental health is so important. I believe mindfulness should be taught in schools for children as well as in workplaces for adults. Kids’ wellbeing and happiness is so important. I love these books for mindfulness!
My older son just turned 5 and I his behaviour changed a recently ( I know it is mainly because of new baby brother). I will definitely look into your recommendations, it looks like we could use one of these books for sure. So far, I love you book is on my list! Thanks!
New siblings can definitely cause a temporary behavioural change bless him! I have 4 and expecting my 5th this month and have definitely found this to be true with mine. Mindfulness is such an effective practice to encourage kindness, patience and general loving feelings in general. Reading books is such a great bonding activity too. I’m sure any of these kids books for mindfulness would be great for your situation. Remember, this too shall pass Eva!
This is a GREAT article and I just added all of these to my Amazon cart. Mindful is such an important concept to teach children
Thanks Amber! They are such sweet books for kids and I agree mindfulness is such an important practice for kids.
This post is so timely! I’m working with my son on mindfulness and gratitude. He’s at the age where he’s more aware of what people do and do not have and the green-eyed monster sometimes makes an appearance. I think a gratitude journal would be beneficial to him. Thanks!
Mindfulness and gratitude are great practices to share with children. You are doing a great job. I find it is a good reminder as parents too to remind ourselves to practice mindfulness when we are teaching this to our children. I hope your son enjoys!
Really good list, thanks for sharing
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I’m so happy you enjoyed this list of kids books for mindfulness.