Pairing a hyperactive child with a quiet, slow form of exercise, may sound counterintuitive and even disastrous, but it turns out yoga can be incredibly helpful for children with challenging behaviours or special needs. Mindfulness is also good for children as it can help them improve their ability to pay attention, to calm down when they are upset, and to make meaningful decisions.
Yoga, meditation and mindfulness help children:
- Learn how to use their bodies in a healthy way
- Manage stress through breathing, awareness, meditation and healthy movement
- Develop focus and concentration
- Boost memory
- Increase self-awareness and self-regulation
- Feel part of a healthy, non-competitive group
- Boost self-esteem and confidence
- Improve overall mental health
- Reduce anxiety and challenging behaviours
CISS Resources
Borrow these resources from the CISS Resource Library! Click the image to see more details. Find out more about our library here or see the full catalogue.
Related Websites & articles:
There are a variety of guided meditation and yoga videos available online for children, here is an example.
MindMasters and MindMasters 2 are mental health promotions resources that help children to develop social and emotional skills through relaxation, positive thinking and mindfulness.
Bending Energy: ADHD Kids Benefit From Yoga
Science Shows Meditation Benefits Children’s Brains and Behaviour
10 Ways to Teach Mindfulness to Kids
Kim Legault
Training and Resource Coordinator, CISS
ACCESS Inclusion Newsletter 