Christopher Willard – 50 Mindfulness Techniques for Children & Teens

Outline

• Mindfulness: What’s all this “nothingness” about? Mindfulness: What’s all this “nothingness” about?
  • It’s not just breathing. What mindfulness is, and what it isn’tIt’s not just breathing. What mindfulness is, and what it isn’t
  • The stress response on development, learning, and mental healthThe stress response on development, learning, and mental health
  • Harness the healing power of mind-body relationshipHarness the healing power of mind-body relationship
  • Give kids tools to recognize and work with their emotions and impulsesGive kids tools to recognize and work with their emotions and impulses
  • Transform fight or flight to attend and befriendTransform fight or flight to attend and befriend
  • Facilitate child and teen brain developmentFacilitate child and teen brain development
• PRACTICE MINDFULNESS IN THE TREATMENT HOUR PRACTICE MINDFULNESS IN THE TREATMENT HOUR
  • Introduce and Adapt Mindfulness Practices for Young People Introduce and Adapt Mindfulness Practices for Young People
    • Play, games, video, arts, and athleticsPlay, games, video, arts, and athletics
    • Adapt mindfulness exercises to all kinds of mindsAdapt mindfulness exercises to all kinds of minds
    • CBT, dynamic, expressive and play therapiesCBT, dynamic, expressive and play therapies
  • Assessment and Treatment Planning Assessment and Treatment Planning
    • When to use, and when to avoid, mindfulness practicesWhen to use, and when to avoid, mindfulness practices
    • The five stage modelThe five stage model
    • Mindfulness-based holistic treatment planMindfulness-based holistic treatment plan
  • Strategies to Engage Challenging Kids Strategies to Engage Challenging Kids
    • Develop skills to engage the most resistant and reluctant kidsDevelop skills to engage the most resistant and reluctant kids
    • Tips for teaching a range of learning stylesTips for teaching a range of learning styles
    • Create an environment of safety and explorationCreate an environment of safety and exploration
    • Strength-based approach to match the treatment to the childStrength-based approach to match the treatment to the child
  • Proven Techniques for Depression, ADHD, Anxiety and More Proven Techniques for Depression, ADHD, Anxiety and More
    • Build emotional intelligenceBuild emotional intelligence
    • Mind-body awareness, listening meditation and othersMind-body awareness, listening meditation and others
    • Boost mood with mindful appreciation, mindful movementBoost mood with mindful appreciation, mindful movement
    • Slowing down with STOP, SLOW, SIFT, Urge surfing practicesSlowing down with STOP, SLOW, SIFT, Urge surfing practices
    • Self-soothing skills for trauma and anxiety disordersSelf-soothing skills for trauma and anxiety disorders
    • Mindful grounding with touchpoints, the four elements and moreMindful grounding with touchpoints, the four elements and more
• MAKE MINDFULNESS STICK OUTSIDE THE TREATMENT HOUR (WHERE IT REALLY MATTERS!) MAKE MINDFULNESS STICK OUTSIDE THE TREATMENT HOUR (WHERE IT REALLY MATTERS!)
  • It doesn’t have to be an hour on a cushion – Finding the timeIt doesn’t have to be an hour on a cushion – Finding the time
  • 100 activities for kids (and adults!) to do mindfully100 activities for kids (and adults!) to do mindfully
  • 50 simple reminders to bring kids back to the present50 simple reminders to bring kids back to the present
  • Dozens of effective tools that take less than a minuteDozens of effective tools that take less than a minute
  • “Stealth” mindfulness that kids can do without anyone even knowing“Stealth” mindfulness that kids can do without anyone even knowing
  • Techniques for challenges at home, the classroom, performances and social situationsTechniques for challenges at home, the classroom, performances and social situations
  • Ease difficult transition timesEase difficult transition times
  • Checking in, not checking out – Working with technology/social mediaChecking in, not checking out – Working with technology/social media