Children can also benefit from reading about mindfulness. That’s why Kelly Caleb has written her series of Now Cow mindfulness books. If you’re teaching your child with ADHD about mindfulness, pick one or more books up today to help them understand better.
Benefits of Mindfulness for Kids with ADHD
Children with ADHD tend to have problems with working memory. This makes it difficult for them to follow instructions, remember to do or return their homework, etc. Research has shown that mindfulness helps improve working memory and that this capacity increases over time.
Improves Focus
Problems with distractibility and concentration are common in kids with ADHD. Mindfulness teaches kids how to be present in the moment and focus on what is happening now instead of rushing ahead to what is next or focusing on the million things swirling through the child’s brain. As your child gets better at being in the present moment through mindfulness exercises, their focus and attention will also improve.
Increases Self Regulation
Extreme reactions, or meltdowns, are common in children with ADHD. Mindfulness allows children to consciously choose the thoughts, sensations, and emotions they identify with rather than reacting immediately to every thought or emotion they have.
Daily Mindfulness Activities for Children with ADHD
Out-Loud Sense Noting
Sit comfortably with your child and notice what’s around you by taking turns noticing with each sense. Start by saying, “I notice that I can hear…” and point out something you hear. Then give your child a sense to use to notice something. Switch back and forth until you have mentioned a taste, touch, sound, smell, sight, and thought. This is a quick exercise to do and has the benefit of encouraging your child to stop for a minute and notice what is around them right now, pushing other thoughts to the side for a minute.
The Mindful Jar
This is also known as a sensory jar or calm down jar. Fill a jar with glitter and other little plastic bits. Create the jar with your child and when it’s time to practice mindfulness, have your child shake the jar as hard as they can for 2 seconds. Then encourage them to sit and watch as the glitter floats to the bottom.
This is a great way to break your child into the deep breathing exercises that are essential to mindfulness. You can use a visual aid if you want by printing a picture of a flower and a picture of lit birthday candles. Then have your child pretend to smell the flower by taking a deep breath in. Then have them count slowly to 3. Finally, have them blow the candles out by blowing a deep breath out, quickly and fully. Have them repeat this 5 times to start. Encourage them to improve each time you do the exercise—children with ADHD like a challenge.
Children with ADHD Can Be Mindful
As your child with ADHD is racing around the house or forgetting for the third time that they were headed to the bathroom to brush their teeth, you may feel like mindfulness is an impossible task for them. But it’s the exact opposite. It can work wonders along with other treatments prescribed by their physician or therapist. And don’t forget to help them settle down with entertaining and informative Now Cow books each day to learn a little more of what mindfulness is all about.
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