World WellBeing Week | Practice mindfulness with Wonderpuss, Estelle and Little Blue
World WellBeing Week is a great time to think about all the ways in which we can promote wellness in our own families, from the emotional to the physical and everything in between. Each day this week, the team at Banjo HQ are focussing on a wellbeing theme which might be helpful for you and your little ones.
Today we’re thinking about mindfulness and our mental health. We’ve brought in our friends Wonderpuss, Estelle and Little Blue and pulled together some mindfulness activities that will help to relax your little ones: Airplane Spotting, Glitter Jar and Ready, Set, Breathe.
Mindfulness reduces anxiety and stress, improves focus, and creates calm. These are all attributes parents want for their kids. We’ve pulled together a list of podcasts and books that our little ones love:
Peace Out releases short stories that help children calm down and relax by guiding them through visualization and breathing exercises. Their episodes are perfect for parents or teachers who want to teach mindfulness and self-regulation.
Mindfulness Activities for Kids (And Their Grown-ups) provides 40 mindfulness activities for you and your child to do together in a book. There are creative activities, stress and anxiety exercises that will help with breathing too. This book is all about exploring mindfulness and you’ll find what works for you and your little one.
Breathing is My Superpower: Mindfulness Book for Kids to Feel Calm and Peaceful This teaches children to regulate their emotions, especially if they are feeling upset, angry, or stressed. Sofia will show your little ones how to control their breathing in various situations, whether at school, at home, or on the playground. It also teaches them yoga basics.
We also have to mention a firm favourite here at Banjo; Calm. Their message is very simple; plant seeds of mindfulness for a life of balance, confidence, and calm. There are also stories to help with sleeping and the programmes can last 3 minutes upwards depending how long you’d like the session to be. They also have mindful movement and gentle stretching sessions.
Listen to Banjo’s Playlist!
As we mentioned in yesterday’s blog, music really helps with your mood too. Feel free to add yourself to Banjo’s playlist and have a boogie around the kitchen with your little one – you can listen to it here. Maybe you can send in a video to us and we can share it with Banjo too?
Hopefully these ideas will help get you and your little ones moving this World WellBeing Week and remember, if you’re struggling with your mental health, please contact The Samaritans on 116 123. Or, you can contact YoungMinds if you’re a young person by texting YM to 85258. Do not suffer alone.
Love, Banjo HQ x