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EASILY ADD MINDFULNESS TO YOUR CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES THIS SEASON
It can be easy to add mindfulness to your Christmas activities this season. Whether you have your favorite go-to activities or you want to try something new, I'll show you how to incorporate some mindfulness in a super simple way.
Mindfulness is simply paying attention to something in the present moment. It can be an object, a feeling inside, or even a sensation in our body. When we are being mindful, we aren't caught up in the "should haves" of the past or the "what ifs" of the future. Mindfulness is about focusing and being aware of the present moment- just noticing and not judging.
I think we make mindfulness way more difficult than it needs to be. You don't need to waste time researching how to do it and you don't have to spend hours sitting in uncomfortable positions- although, you can if you want.
"FOCUS & NOTICE"
My simple definition of mindfulness for kids is "focus & notice". And, the easiest way to do this with kids is to make it "sensational", meaning of the senses. Use the senses or pick one sense and use it to focus on and notice what you can about the object, feeling, etc.
You can always use the "focus & notice" approach with your go-to holiday favorites. Or, if you're looking for something new, I found some great Christmas activities for preschoolers that would be perfect for exploring mindfulness, too. As you do the activities with your kids, just spend some time focusing and noticing using the senses, and, VOILA!, you have mindfulness built right in.
Related: mindful Christmas Activities
Related: Mindful Christmas Moments Calendar
SOME CHRISTMAS ACTIVITY INSPIRATION
You'll find it fun and easy to turn these holiday activities into a mindful experience for your kids this season. Just focus and notice using the five senses.
SMELL
No Bake Cinnamon Ornaments for Preschool from Pre-K Pages
The Sweet Smell of Christmas from Teach Preschool
Heavenly Scented Christmas Playdough Recipes from One Time Through
touch
Candy Cane Slime from Pre-K Pages
Christmas Tree Craft Loose Parts Play from Fantastic Fun and Learning
Holidays Around the World Sensory and Art Activities from Pocket of Preschool
HEAR
Jingle and Seek from Fantastic Fun and Learning (try this outdoors)
Christmas Songs for Kids from Preschool Inspirations (the classics, new favorites, and music and movement, with videos)
Gingerbread Books for Pre-K and Preschool Kids from PreKinders
RELATED: Meaningful Christmas Books for Kids
SEE
Christmas Tree Science Experiment from Fun-A-Day
Christmas Pretend Play- Wrapping Presents from Fun-A-Day
Christmas Sensory Bottles from Pocket of Preschool
TASTE
Rudolph the Reindeer Cupcakes from Childhood 101
Toddler and Preschool Christmas Cooking Ideas That are Tasty and Fun from Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds
Easy Kid Friendly Christmas Recipes from A Mind Full Mom
HOW TO ADD MINDFULNESS TO YOUR CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES
Like I said, it doesn't have to be hard to practice mindfulness. Use your senses and the "focus & notice" approach and it can be fun to discover new things about ordinary things and experiences.
Take time during each activity when it seems appropriate to focus and notice.
- Take a couple deep breaths together to settle in.
- Allow time for your kids to focus & notice with the chosen sense, whatever object, feeling, etc. you are using.
- Ask your kids to be silent and quiet during the activity, but go with the flow. If your kids are having a high energy day, then do the best you can. There's no reason to get frustrated.
- Give them some time to notice and then ask questions?
- What did you notice?
- Was it easy or hard to focus?
- Did you like noticing with this sense?
- Would you have preferred to use a different sense?
- Was it easy or difficult to notice with this sense compared to your other senses?
- How did your body feel as you were noticing? What did you notice and where?
- Did you have any thoughts or memories pop up as you were noticing?
- Can you describe what you (saw, smelled, heard, tasted, or felt) with one word?
- Did you notice something you wouldn't have noticed if you didn't focus?
- Do you think you will take time to focus and notice other things around you?
- Can you teach focus and notice to your family tonight? What will you choose to notice? Which sense will you use?
- You can go one step further and have them focus and notice again using the same sense. Ask them to notice one new thing they didn't notice the last time. Each round will require more and more focus. You can continue with more and more rounds for as long as they are engaged.
related: Mindfulness at Christmas
See, it can be easy to add some mindful moments to your busy preschool days. Just add some "Focus & Notice" time to to any of these activities and check it off the list- DONE.
Which mindful Christmas idea will you try first with your kids? Let me know how it goes below.
~Dawn
Click the button for free 24/7 access to The Mindfulness Library filled with mindfulness resources for preschool teachers.
