Mindfulness is an increasingly popular natural therapy for kids with ADHD. Mindfulness teaches children to pay attention to the present moment, using breathing and mindfulness exercises to focus on their thoughts and feelings. Research has shown that Mindfulness can help children manage ADHD symptoms, such as impulsivity and hyperactivity. Mindfulness can also improve emotional regulation, reduce stress, and improve overall self-awareness.
Safe & Effective
Mindfulness is a safe and effective means of supporting children with ADHD without the need for medication or to support the use of medication. Mindfulness helps children become aware of their own thoughts and feelings, enabling them to make better decisions, recognise their strengths and weaknesses, build a sense of control over their environment, and develop skills for better communication with others. Mindfulness also helps children become less reactive and more responsive, which can reduce ADHD symptoms.
Slow down the chaos
Living with ADHD can be a difficult and challenging experience for children as impulsivity is a primary symptom of the disorder. Fortunately, there is hope for kids who have been identified as having this condition. By incorporating Mindfulness into their daily practice, children can learn to slow down their often chaotic thoughts and emotions, providing them with greater self-regulation in everyday situations. Through engaging in breathing exercises, stretching, meditation and other mindfulness practices such as yoga, kids can regulate their physical state which will help them to slow down their impulses before acting on them impulsively. Not only are these activities beneficial for reducing impulsivity in children with ADHD, but can also provide calming effects that lead to improved levels of focus which can be incredibly beneficial while they are learning important skills throughout their educational journey.
Stronger regulation skills
Studies show that mindfulness therapy can have a significant beneficial impact on kids with ADHD. Scientists believe that mindfulness techniques help to better regulate cognitive functioning and brain activity related to impulsivity and hyperactivity, the key characteristics of ADHD. Additionally, regular practice of mindfulness brings about improved emotion regulation, helping kids with ADHD better manage negative emotions like frustration and anger. Furthermore, science demonstrates an enhancement of executive functions (such as working memory, mental flexibility, organization and planning)in children who practice mindfulness regularly; leading to increases in academic performance across domains such as reading comprehension and math. Therefore, researchers strongly encourage parents and teachers to explore the use of mindfulness activities in conjunction with classic therapeutic approaches for children struggling with ADHD.
Support is available
Mindfulness should be taught to kids with ADHD in a fun and engaging way. There are many resources available online to help parents and teachers learn how to teach Mindfulness to children, including books, apps, and my 10 week Kids Calm Group!
In my 10 week Mindfulness Kids Calm Group we explore the basics of Mindfulness in activity based learning. Each week we explore new topics and emotions and apply Mindfulness skills to manage these emotions, some of the topic explored are;
The Breath
Thoughts
Feelings
Meditation
Letting go - Impermanence
Gratitude
Worry
Bravery
Growth Mindset
Self-Talk
Affirmations
Resilience
Calm
Anger
Happiness
ADHD can be a tough road for kids and parents alike, but mindfulness has been shown by research to help alleviate symptoms in children with ADHD. If you think your child might benefit from mindfulness practices, check out my Kids Calm Group 10 week program. Enrolments are open now!
Find out more about the Kids Calm Program and term enrolments on the website.