Why you should encourage kids to practise mindfulness

It’s been decades since mindfulness has been introduced among adults as a concept. While we are aware that performing yoga, meditating, undergoing behavioural training and other mindfulness practices benefit adults, research on the effect of mindfulness on children is not so common. At the same time, taken individually, each aspect of mindfulness training has been proved as beneficial for kids. But what are these benefits? Let’s look at some of them.  

Improves attention (and grades)  
Mindfulness training gives children simple but practical tools to regulate their nervous system and emotional state. This increases focus, which makes them more attentive. For parents, it means better grades and longer attention span from their children. It also improves children’s sports and extra-curricular performances.  

Regulates emotions and responses 
Mindfulness practice helps children identify and manage complex emotions and even improves impulse control, helping them to curb strong emotions. This results in impulsive reactions getting replaced with thoughtful responses. Regulating our brain is the first step towards rational thinking. This is really effective for teens since they can be more troubled. In younger kids, regulated responses can create a miracle, turning a naughty kid into a well-behaved one. Mischief is not logical or beneficial. Once the child realises that, he or she just stops being naughty.  

Enhances cognitive skills  
Mindfulness teaches concentration, one of the key aspects of excelling at sports, arts, typing on a keyboard or any other activity that combines physical and cognitive skills. A better grip on cognitive skills and a clear self-assessment automatically works to reduce tension and better test performances. Mindfulness techniques have been put to use by successful athletes, musicians, actors, leaders and other individuals who perform under pressure.  

Imparts life skills  
Mindfulness builds a set of basic life skills that can improve performance in most areas of the child’s life, including school, sports, arts and social interaction. It also starts them out on a career path as they try to delve deeper into their own minds, understand what interests them, and then excel at that. Last but not least, mindfulness builds kids’ empathy, kindness, well-being, generosity and compassion towards all creatures.