Mindfulness, meditation and relaxation

Relaxation

Our society can be fast-paced and young children can have busy routines. Early childhood educators can help children find peace within the rush, by providing opportunities to relax.

Early childhood educators are increasingly teaching children techniques in mindfulness and meditation, which acknowledges the importance of mental health and wellbeing. However, a one-size-fits-all meditation or yoga session may not achieve the desired results. All children unwind in different ways.

Educators can consider individual children's preferences. How does this child relax? How do they prefer to clear and calm their mind?

Relaxation research

Lady Gowrie QLD published an article about the Choosing Rest study:

"Our findings show that children are highly capable of understanding relaxation, describing their relaxation preferences, and distinguishing relaxation from other activities, such as sleep and rest.

"The findings of this study suggest that group-based, standard rest-times may not be sufficient to address children’s relaxation needs in ECEC settings. Provision of places and spaces for children to be “alone” and experience “sensory-focused” relaxation opportunities, in busy, group-based ECEC environments should be considered."

UNCRC, NQS and EYLF

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child states that children have the right to relax, play and participate in leisure activities.

The National Quality Standard requires early childhood education services to provide for each child’s wellbeing and comfort, including appropriate opportunities to meet each child’s need for sleep, rest and relaxation (2.1.1).

The Early Years Learning Framework has a foundation of play-based learning. It asks children to become strong in their social and emotional wellbeing (3.1), and take increasing responsibility for their own health and physical wellbeing (3.2). The EYLF also promotes children using their imagination (4.1) in guided relaxation sessions.

Learning experiences

Cuddle a soft toy

Try a guided meditation. Children lay on the floor with a soft toy on their bellies. They practice slow, deep breaths and watch the toy rise on their tummies with each breath. After a while, an educator asks the children to release their emotions by cuddling the soft toy as hard as they can.

Colour in

For many years, early childhood education professionals have frowned at children colouring in pre-printed sheets of paper. There is a good reason for this: stencils are the ultimate closed-ended, teacher-directed experience.

However, some children (and adults) find the rhythmic movements relaxing. Choosing colours, sitting in silence, and keeping within the lines can be incredibly soothing. If you do introduce colouring into your classroom, set up the drawing table as a relaxing space and choose culturally-diverse designs, not just cartoons from popular culture.

Make worry dolls

Worry dolls are small handmade dolls, traditionally from Guatemala. They are used as a tool to help children cope with anxiety. Children whisper their worries to their doll before going to sleep, with the belief that the dolls will take their worries away during the night.

Worry dolls can be made from natural materials like sticks, feathers and cotton thread. Wrapping thread around sticks can be a relaxing activity. Learn more about making worry dolls on AccessArt.

Feel your heart

Ask children to jump up and down for 30 seconds. As soon as they stop, ask them to put a hand on their heart to feel it beating.

Meditate using your senses

Children sit calmly on the floor. An educator asks them to answer these questions quietly in their heads, as part of a guided meditation. Once the meditation has finished, children may like to talk about the things they thought of:

Five things you can see.
Four things you can feel.
Three things you can hear.
Two things you can smell.
One thing you can taste.

Smell a flower, blow up a balloon

Encourage children to breathe deeply. Ask them to breathe in like they are smelling a flower and breathe out like they are blowing up a balloon.

Practice yoga

An easy way to start yoga sessions at a childcare centre is to follow the YouTube videos by Cosmic Kids Yoga. If you don't want your children to be guided by a video, watch a few videos yourself to find age-appropriate ideas.

Try these relaxing ideas…

Jump on a mini trampoline or swing on a swing.
Pop bubble wrap.
Blow bubbles.
Drinking water to slow down rapid breathing.
Use sensory toys like a stress ball, playdough, or a fidget spinner.
Do something you're really good at.
Walk around, listening to the rhythm of your footsteps.

Learning environments

Create a quiet corner

Create a designated space for relaxation. Ask the children to help you design the space and decide on rules surrounding quiet and calm behaviour (so everyone can relax in peace).

Embrace the outdoors

Remember, stress release doesn't need to be calm! Some children will feel better after physical activity or boisterous play outdoors in the fresh air surrounded by nature. Provide time and space for this every day.

Routines

Use consistent daily routines at your childcare centre to foster feelings of relaxation, predictability and emotional security.

Limit unfamiliar experiences.
Ensure children can go to a familiar carer as soon as they arrive in the morning.
Sing familiar songs during routine events.