When it comes to positive parenting, mindfulness tools come in extremely handy. These are tools that can be used to build connection and self-awareness, practice breathing, and learn more about managing their feelings.

I’ve chatted about an awesome positive parenting book before but today I want to share about mindfulness tools from Mindful Me

Mindful Me has a host of mindfulness tools. These items can be bought separately or in a calm bag. I chatted to the company owner, Wyanitah Frans (who started the business inspired by her daughter Gabby) about their various tools and how they work together for the benifit of our little ones.

Bliss therapeutic play dough infused with coconut oil and pure essential oils:

• CALMING
• SQUEEZE AND KEEP HANDS BUSY (  stress balls such as their sloth squishy or panda squishy pen work for this as well)
• PLAYING WITH THE STRESS BALL CAN HELP EASE TENSION, RELEASE EXCESS ENERGY, IMPROVE FOCUS AND EXPRESS EMOTIONS
• PROVIDE HOURS OF COUNTLESS FUN
• DEVELOPS FINE MOTOR SKILLS
• ENCOURAGES CREATIVITY
• ENHANCES HAND – EYE COORDINATION

Plantable seed pencils

• GIVES YOUR BRAIN A BREAK

Other activities to give your child’s brain a break includes:

• Reading books
• Colouring
• Writing
• Using an activity book

• Sleeping Eye Mask:

(VISUALY CALM ITEM)

• Also gives your brain a break
• Reminds children to take a mindful break
• Better quality sleep
• Help calm you calm down, breath and practise mindfulness

Other vusualy calm/sensory times include:

• SNOW GLOBE
• GLITTER CALM DOWN JAR
• MAZES AND WORD SEARCHES
• FLASHLIGHTS
• KALEIDOSCOPE
• GLOW STICKS
• VISUAL TIMERS (HOURGLASS)
• LAVA LAMP

Worry buddy or Oli Sunny Super hero

• Gives the child a sense of control over their anxiety by writing down or drawing what is worrying him / her and placing it in the mouth of the worry buddy until they are ready to address their worry.

Bubbles:

• SUPPORT BREATHING AND RELAXATION
• FINE MOTOR SKILLS
• VISUAL TRACKING SKILLS
• HAND – EYE COORDINATION
• SENSORY PROCESSING SKILLS
• ORAL MOTOR SKILLS
• SPEECH SKILLS

Calming strategy cards:

• Great way for children to learn how to recognize, talk about and help manage anger issues, emotions or meltdowns and learn how to calm themselves down.

OTHER CALM DOWN SUPPORT / ACTIVITIES:

Auditory sensory support

• Rain stick
• Sound cards
• Musical instrument Crafts
• Sound Shakers

Olfactory sensory support

• Smelling Bottles
• Lemon Scented Rice
• Scented cloud dough