Children's Books on Mindfulness
- Marshalin Patel
- Dec 17, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 18, 2024
As parents and educators, we all know the importance of cultivating a love for reading in our children. One of the best ways to do this is by providing them with a wide variety of engaging and age-appropriate books. With so many options out there, it can be overwhelming to choose the perfect ones for our little ones. That's why we have curated a list of top children's books on mindfulness that are perfect for schools and families.
Om Calms Down: Journey with Om by Marshalin Patel (of course!)
Overview of the Book
Om's journey unfolds as he shares his tried-and-true methods for finding calm amidst the storm of his emotions. From mindfulness techniques to self-regulating practices, Om's playful and loveable personality shines through as he teaches readers how to tame their own emotional rollercoaster. Whether you're feeling happy, sad, scared, overwhelmed, or overly excited, Om's story offers practical tools to help you find peace and tranquility.
Methods for Finding Calm
Mindfulness Techniques: Practices that help you stay present and aware of your emotions.
Self-Regulating Practices: Strategies to manage and respond to your emotions effectively.
Emotional States Covered
Happy
Sad
Scared
Overwhelmed
Overly Excited
I Am Peace: A Book About Mindfulness by Susan Verde and Peter H. Reynolds
Overview of the Book
This book presents mindfulness methods like positive self-talk, grounding, and deep breathing to assist readers in feeling present and finding calm from within.
Key Concepts for Children’s Emotional Management
Mindfulness: Teaching children to focus on the present moment.
Emotional Expression: Encouraging children to articulate their feelings through speech.
Empathy Development: Using imagination to understand others' perspectives.
Appreciation of Nature: Fostering a sense of wonder about the natural world.
Mindfulness Methods Presented in the Book
Positive Self-Talk: Encouraging children to replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations.
Grounding Techniques: Helping children connect with their surroundings to feel more centered.
Deep Breathing: Teaching breathing exercises to promote relaxation and calmness.
Alphabreaths: The ABCs of Mindful Breathing by Christopher Willard and Daniel Rechtschaffen
Overview of the Book
This book provides a breathing technique for each letter of the alphabet. Each technique includes clear and easy-to-follow instructions, giving students a variety of excellent options to use this method. Each letter corresponds to a unique breathing technique designed to enhance relaxation, focus, and mindfulness. These techniques can be easily integrated into daily routines or used during specific situations requiring stress relief.
Examples of Techniques
A - Abdominal Breathing: Focus on deepening your breath by expanding your abdomen.
B - Box Breathing: Inhale for four counts, hold for four counts, exhale for four counts, and hold again for four counts.
C - Counted Breathing: Inhale for a count of three, hold for a count of two, and exhale for a count of four.
D - Diaphragmatic Breathing: Engage your diaphragm to take deeper, fuller breaths.
Benefits
Improves focus and concentration.
Reduces stress and anxiety.
Enhances overall well-being.
Promotes relaxation and calmness.
Listening to My Body by Gabi Garcia
Overview of the Book
This book teaches children to be mindful of their emotions. It guides them through various exercises to become aware of the sensations in their bodies. Additionally, it helps children recognize situations where this awareness is beneficial and supports them in discovering other positive coping strategies.
Key Features
Mindfulness exercises to enhance emotional awareness
Guidance on recognizing bodily sensations
Situational awareness for beneficial emotional responses
Support in discovering positive coping strategies
The Feelings Book by Todd Parr
Book Overview
This book is great for starting the conversation about how we all have feelings, all feelings are OK, and our feelings change all the time.
Key Themes
Understanding Emotions
Acceptance of All Feelings
Emotional Change and Growth
Discussion Points
The importance of recognizing our emotions
Creating a safe space for sharing feelings
The fluidity of emotions and their impact on our lives
Breathing is my Superpower by Alicia Ortego
Book Overview
This engaging book provides children with breathing exercises designed to help them feel strong, powerful, and connected to their bodies. Each page features a unique scenario that illustrates common feelings experienced by kids, along with a corresponding breathing technique to assist them in overcoming these challenging situations.
Key Features
Breathing Exercises: Tailored techniques to promote emotional well-being.
Unique Scenarios: Each page presents relatable situations for children.
Emotional Connection: Helps children understand and manage their feelings.
Empowerment: Encourages a sense of strength and confidence in their bodies.
Benefits of the Book
Enhances emotional regulation.
Promotes mindfulness from an early age.
Fosters a deeper connection with one's body.
Encourages resilience in facing challenges.
Mind Bubbles by Heather Krantz
Overview of the Book
This book teaches that one's thoughts and feelings are like bubbles in their minds and can sometimes feel overwhelming. It provides a powerful reminder that our mind bubbles always pop—our thoughts and feelings come and go and aren’t forever.
This book serves as a comforting reminder that it is okay to experience a range of emotions, as they are temporary and will pass, much like bubbles bursting in the air.
Key Concepts
Bubbles of Thought: The idea that thoughts and feelings can be transient and may feel intense at times.
Impermanence: A reminder that no feeling or thought lasts forever; they will eventually fade away.
Emotional Awareness: Encouraging readers to recognize their emotions without being overwhelmed by them.
*Will continue to update as more books are read
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