Why we do it.
Why should we encourage our children to be more mindful??
In our busy world there isn’t much downtime for our children, and anxiety and regulation issues are seemingly more common. Often times parents are left feeling lost about how to help their children find a sense of calm.
When we teach mindfulness to kids, we give them the tools they need to build confidence, cope with stress, and relate to uncomfortable or challenging moments. The earlier we do so in their young lives, the greater the opportunity to help them cultivate resilience and develop and refine their mindfulness practice as they mature.
Creating these habits at a young age improves critical skills developed in early childhood: paying attention and remembering information, shifting back and forth between tasks, and behaving appropriately with others. These abilities are known as executive functions and they are essential for more advanced tasks like planning, reasoning, problem-solving, and positive social relationships.
Why should we encourage our children to practice kindness?
Experts have determined that showing kindness changes the brain, and that selfless acts of giving provide physical and emotional benefits needed for a well-rounded individual. This is why it is essential for children to learn kindness early on.
Children do not learn to be kind by only thinking about it and talking about it. Kindness is best learned by feeling it so that they can reproduce it.
Here are just a few of the many benefits your children will experience from practicing kindness:
HAPPY, CARING CHILDREN
When we are being kind we produce endorphins which activate areas of the brain that are associated with pleasure, social connection, and trust. These feelings of joyfulness are proven to be contagious, encouraging more kind behaviour by the giver and recipient and anyone witnessing it.
INCREASED FEELINGS OF GRATITUDE
When children are part of activities that help others less fortunate than themselves, it provides them with a real sense of perspective, highlighting their own good fortune. Being generous helps them appreciate what they have, makes them feel useful, and increases empathetic behaviour towards others.
GREATER SENSE OF BELONGING AND IMPROVED SELF-ESTEEM
Studies show that people experience a “helper’s high” when they do a good deed. This rush of endorphins creates a lasting sense of pride, well-being, and belonging. It’s reported that even small acts of kindness heighten our sense of well-being, increase energy, and give a wonderful feeling of optimism and self worth.
INCREASED PEER ACCEPTANCE
Research has determined that being kind increases popularity and our ability to form meaningful connections with other people. Being well-liked is an important factor in the happiness of children and it was demonstrated that greater peer acceptance was achieved through good deeds.
REDUCES STRESS
It’s no secret that our children are more stressed than ever before, due to increased school work loads, excessive screen time and other pressures of modern society. An act of kindness increases levels of serotonin, a natural chemical responsible for improving mood and reducing stress.
BETTER CONCENTRATION AND IMPROVED RESULTS
Kindness enhances positivity and helps children feel good about themselves as it increases serotonin levels. This important chemical affects learning, memory, mood, sleep, health, and digestion. Children with a positive outlook have greater attention spans, more willingness to learn, and better creative thinking to improve results at school.s.
LESS BULLYING
When children are taught how to change their thoughts and actions by learning about kindness and compassion, it fosters the positive behaviour that's expected and naturally rewarded with friendship. Promoting its psychological opposite is key in reducing bullying to create warm and inclusive school environments.
Why should I send my children to Creating Kinder Kids??
“Because Kindness needs practice.”
All our workshops, weekly classes and holiday courses are designed to make kindness and mindfulness fun and accessible for your little ones.
Their imaginations will be let loose as we adventure through ‘The Kingdom of Kindness’ where they will learn yoga, breath work, affirmations, & gratitudes. Weekly kindness challenges offer your children a chance to practice empathy and compassion regularly and become aware of how they think, speak and behave in different situations. Ultimately your kids will learn skills and create habits that will benefit themselves, others and the world around them.