Raising Mindful Children in a Distracted World: Top 5 Tips

Tablets, YouTube, schoolwork, and the craze of snacking—these distractions are getting kids to slow down, and that just seems nearly impossible.

Here comes the role of mindfulness. But that has nothing to do with making them sit cross-legged in total silence for hours. Rather, it's about encouraging them to be present and handle all the chaos of life gracefully. In fact, even science says that mindfulness can reduce stress and improve focus in kids.

The main question is—how can you actually raise mindful children in practical life? Here are five effective tips to raise mindful kids in this ever-changing distracted world. 

Indeed, you must have been through moments where your little one is crying relentlessly over a broken crayon or a missing sock. This is because kids often react instantly without processing emotions. However, teaching them to pause before reacting can make a significant difference. This simple practice can alone help develop better emotional control and reduce impulsivity.

If you think your child eats like they are in a food-eating challenge, mindful eating is what you need. The best approach is to encourage them to notice textures, flavors, and smells while enjoying a meal. Did you know mindful eating can also reduce overeating and improve digestion?

Nature is one of the best and perhaps the easiest ways to inculcate mindfulness in kids. Outdoor time not only reduces stress but also boosts focus and improves mood. However, convincing your little ones to go outside without a screen is yet another challenge.

It's time to ask them to enjoy a noticing walk where they need to find five things they see, four things they hear, three things they feel, two things they smell, and one thing they love about nature. This simple activity will keep them connected with the surroundings.

The truth is—telling a child to take a deep breath rarely works. The trick is to turn breathing into a balloon breath game where your kids need to imagine their belly inflating like a balloon. This technique will help them slow down naturally. Another great way to make deep breathing fun is by blowing balloons.

Even studies have revealed the importance of deep breathing in reducing the stress hormone and lowering anxiety, in addition to improving focus.

Bedtime with kids is often a battle of one more story and some more water. However, making it mindful can actually help kids relax and sleep better. The simplest thing you can do is to reflect on their entire day by asking, What made you smile today? or simply guiding them through progressive muscle relaxation for tension release.

The result? Better sleep and reduced stress.

Yes, it's possible to raise mindful children in a distracted world. Indeed, it might be an uphill battle, but with simple changes such as teaching them to pause, mindful eating, spending time in nature, practicing deep breathing, and calming bedtime routines, you can teach mindfulness to your kids in the best possible way.