The Benefits of Helping Preschoolers Understand and Discuss Their Emotions (by Deborah Farmer Kris)

The Benefits of Helping Preschoolers Understand and Discuss Their Emotions (by Deborah Farmer Kris)

How many parents, teachers, and grandparents out there are wading through episodes of kid-trantrums and meltdowns? What's the best way to handle them? Experts say that rather than just wait for kids to outgrow this phase, dive in with supportive emotional literacy training. And what exactly does that look like? This article gives a number of helpful and practical examples. The point—there are many benefits from teaching emotional literacy skills to young children. When they learn how to calm themselves down, use language to express their feelings and treat others with kindness, they are laying the foundation for future success and wellness.

'Awesome Is Everywhere' by Neil Pasricha

'Awesome Is Everywhere' by Neil Pasricha

Awesome Is Everywhere by Neil Pasricha. This graphic and tactical adventure draws attention to the simple pleasures. Neil and his stellar team have zeroed in on the sense of gratitude and appreciation of all that’s AWESOME in the world. Don't you find that kids seem to gravitate to the general-awesomeness of their surroundings? This book hones in on this inherent spark and encourages kids (and grown ups) to take a mini-journey of awareness. Check it out and fly your mind to anywhere on the earth via a book!

Current Research on Mindfulness for Young People

Current Research on Mindfulness for Young People

If you want to do a deep dive into the research on the benefits of mindfulness for kids, this article is for you! Traditionally, science has directed its attention to studying the impact of mindfulness on adults only. Although we could make logical inferences for kids, there was not a lot of conclusive evidence. Enter a whole host of new research showing that mindfulness for kids can offer some truly distinct benefits...

Teaching Kids - and Parents - the Art of Mindfulness (The Washington Post)

Teaching Kids - and Parents - the Art of Mindfulness (The Washington Post)

With high-stakes tests beginning in some elementary schools, increasingly overscheduled afternoons and pressure to do more demanding extracurricular activities at ever-younger ages, many kids are feeling overwhelmed. 
Mindfulness (or 'body fulness', as this article mentions) is proving to be a grounding influence to counteract all of this swirling stress...

Yoga for Back-To-School Anxiety or Exhaustion (thekidsyogaresource.com)

Yoga for Back-To-School Anxiety or Exhaustion (thekidsyogaresource.com)

Back to school can be exhausting. Kids are stretching their minds and attention spans. Not to mention figuring out how to sit still for hours on end! The September transition can be overwhelming for multi-tasking parents trying weave work demands around their kids' needs (read - no time to stop and reflect on how either parent or child is really doing).

Why not wiggle two minutes out of your day to stand tall as a tree and breathe? Roll up some blankets, lay on a mat and close your eyes for a few minutes? Even if you and your kids only do this a few times a week, it can make a difference in your overall ability to handle transition times. Below are some simple yoga-inspired movements for after school, or on the weekend.

**Let us know if you have any other helpful tips on how you've managed to move through September**