Mindfulness and Yoga for Young Children: Tips, Books, Apps, and Activities
published 6/11/17; updated 9/29/20
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by Catharine Hannay, founder of MindfulTeachers.org
Are you interested in teaching mindfulness and/or yoga to younger kids but not sure where to start? Or perhaps you've been teaching for a while and are looking for some new resources? The following books, apps, training programs and activities are recommended by experienced teachers.
Expert Advice at MindfulTeachers.org
I've had the privilege of interviewing a couple of educators with extensive experience teaching young children.
Kelli Love is a full-time yoga instructor at Girls Prep Bronx Elementary, a charter school in New York City where mindfulness is embraced as a school-wide content area. In an interview on "Best Practices in Teaching Yoga and Mindfulness to Young Children," she shares tips on:
how to structure a yoga class for young children;
how to meet the needs of different students;
how parents and classroom teachers can integrate mindfulness into the daily routine; and
how a personal yoga and mindfulness practice creates a solid foundation for teaching kids.
Renee Metty is the founder of The Cove School, a preschool specializing in mindfulness and social and emotional learning. In an interview on "Breathing Buddies and Vibratones: Mindfulness for Young Children," she discusses:
why social-emotional learning is a foundation for academic learning;
how principals and other administrators can promote mindfulness in their schools; and
specific techniques and activities parents and teachers can use when introducing mindfulness to young children.
Teacher-Recommended Activities and Resources
I had an amazing response to a Facebook request for books and activities you've used successfully with children under ten. Thanks so much to everyone who shared your suggestions!
Teacher-Recommended Props and Activities
Kids love comfy cushions and snuggly blankets for meditation/relaxation time;
The Mind Jar activity is very popular;
Another popular activity is mindfully eating chocolate.
(Obviously check your school’s policy on snacks and make sure no one in your group has an allergy.)
Teacher-Recommended Apps and Websites
Calm.com kids' meditations/activities
Cosmic Kids Yoga on YouTube
Headspace app (kids' section)
Smiling Mind app
Stop, Breathe, and Think kids app
Teacher-Recommended Books (and yoga cards and CDs) for Young Children:
Anh’s Anger, by Gail Silver
Calm Down Boogie CD, by Betsy Rose
Goodnight Yoga: A Pose by Pose Bedtime Story, by Mariam Gates
A Handful of Quiet: Happiness in Four Pebbles, by Thich Nhat Hahn
Hey, Warrior! by Karen Young
Kids Yoga Challenge Cards, by Sara Weis of GoGo Yoga for Kids
The Kids' Yoga Deck: 50 Poses and Games, by Annie Buckley
Lemonade Hurricane, by Licia Morelli
Master of Mindfulness, by Laurie Grossman
Mindful Monkey, Happy Panda, by Lauren Alderfer
Mindup books and curriculum from the Hawn Foundation
Moody Cow Meditates, by Kerry Lee MacLean
Planting Seeds with Song CD, by Thich Nhat Hanh and the Plum Village Community
Sitting Still Like a Frog, by Eline Snell
This book and CD got several votes. A pre-K teacher particularly recommends the Heart Chamber track and the Spaghetti Test track.
Still Quiet Place: Mindfulness for Young Children CD, by Amy Saltzman
What Does It Mean To Be Present? by Rana DiOrio
Yoga and Mindfulness Practices for Children: Activity and Coloring Book, by Jennifer Cohen Harper
Yoga Pretzels (Yoga Cards) by by Tara Guber, Leah Kalish, and Sophie Fatus
Your Fantastic Elastic Brain, by JoAnn M. Deak
Zach Gets Frustrated, by William Mulcahy
Zen Pig series, by Mark Brown
Teacher-Recommended Mindfulness Training
Calm Classroom Professional Development
British Mindfulness Institute Professional Training in the Applied use of Mindfulness for 7 – 11 year olds
Mindful Schools Mindful Educator Essentials training (K-12 curriculum)
Paws B training to teach mindfulness to 7-11 year olds, from the Mindfulness in Schools Project
Relax Kids coach training to help children with concentration, self-esteem and anger management.
There are many more resources here at Mindful Teachers about mindfulness for kids, including the following posts: