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Preschooler’s and Meditation

Lesley Grant, the director of the Marin Mindfulness Cooperative in San Anselmo teaches mindfulness to preschoolers. The purpose: "to lower stress in anxious teachers and students." Through pictures and stories they guide children in following their breath.

Here is a sample of a Mindfulness exercise used for kids ages 2 1/2 to five.
"KIDS SINGING:

My mind is a clear, blue sky, my mind is a clear blue sky.

And I breathe in, and I breathe out.

And my mind is a clear, blue sky.

My mind is a clear, blue sky. And the feelings come, and the feelings go.

And my mind is a clear, blue sky. My mind is a clear, blue sky."

For more on this story, follow the link: Preschoolers Practice Meditation

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Mindfulness Helps Kids Cope with School Stress

Starting a new school year can be a real stressor for kids, and they don't always know how to deal with it. Learning to be mindful can help.

"Making a transition, whether it's to a new school, a new teacher or a new grade, signals change," says Michelle Bailey, MD, a pediatrician at Duke Integrative Medicine.

"Mindfulness helps kids recognize their thoughts, reconnect with their emotions and understand how that impacts their behavior," she explains. "Ultimately, if we can heighten awareness of our thoughts, we can modify our emotions and that changes behavior."

For the full article follow the link below:
http://www.dukehealth.org/HealthLibrary/News/mindfulness_helps_kids_cope_with_school_stress