Mindfulness For Kids By ChomChom

Pubali

"Mindfulness For Kids" is a weekly podcast that aims to build a vibrant and supportive community for Mindfulness activities ofFor kids. We'll delve into the unique challenges and strengths that come with being a parent and a teacher, sharing inspiring stories, practical tips, and expert advice. Our goal is to make mindfulness a part of everyday life, highlighting the incredible potential and calmness it bring to us.

  1. JAN 10

    Bedtime Story : The Unicorn - Cherry Shares Her Toy [ A heart warming story about setting boundaries and good sibling communication]

    Send us a text This heartwarming tale follows Cherry, a six-year-old girl, and her brother Lee, who are embroiled in a heated argument over a birthday gift – a fluffy pink unicorn. Their sibling rivalry threatens to overshadow Cherry's special day. In this tale wise Chomchom, Their pet Beagle help them understand each other. The air in the living room hung thick with tension. Cherry, her face crumpled in a pout, clutched the fluffy pink unicorn tightly to her chest. Lee, his brow furrowed, hovered nearby, his eyes fixed on the coveted toy. "It's mine!" Cherry declared, her voice trembling with frustration. "It's my birthday present!" "But I want to play with it too," Lee whined, reaching for the unicorn. "No!" Cherry shrieked, pulling the unicorn away. "It's not fair! You never share your things with me!" Their parents exchanged weary glances. This sibling squabble had been escalating all day. The once joyful atmosphere of Cherry's birthday had been replaced by a tense standoff. Suddenly, Chomchom, their beloved beagle, padded into the room, his tail wagging tentatively. He sat down between Cherry and Lee, his big brown eyes filled with concern. He whined softly, nudging Cherry's hand with his wet nose. Chomchom whined again, then trotted over to Lee, gently nudging his hand with his nose. He then ran back to Cherry, nudged her hand again, and then ran back to Lee. He repeated this a few times, seemingly trying to mediate between them. Lee, watching Chomchom's antics, couldn't help but chuckle. "He wants us to play together," he said, a hint of amusement in his voice. Cherry, still holding the unicorn tightly, looked at Lee. "But he doesn't understand," she said. "This is my special toy." Lee, remembering how much he cherished his prized Lego castle, understood. "I know," he said. "It's okay. You don't have to share it if you don't want to." Cherry looked surprised. "Really?" Lee nodded. "It's your birthday present. You should be able to enjoy it without having to share it if you don't want to." Cherry smiled, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. "Thanks, Lee." Lee smiled back, feeling a sense of pride in himself for understanding Cherry's feelings. Chomchom, sensing the easing of tension, wagged his tail excitedly and licked both Cherry and Lee's hands. Cherry, feeling a surge of affection for her brother, decided to make a compromise. "Okay," she said, "you can play with it for five minutes after dinner." Lee, surprised by her generosity, beamed. "Really?" Cherry nodded. "But only for five minutes." Lee agreed, and the tension in the room finally dissipated. They spent the rest of the afternoon playing with other toys, laughing and enjoying each other's company. Later that evening, as Cherry and Lee were playing with the unicorn, Lee turned to his sister. "Thank you for letting me play with it," he said sincerely. Cherry smiled. "You're welcome. But remember," she said, "you don't have to share your things if you don't want to. Everyone has the right to decide what they want to share and with whom." Lee nodded, understanding. He realized that while sharing was important, respecting other people's boundaries was equally important. Chomchom, curled up at their feet, watched them with sleepy eyes. He had successfully mediated the sibling squabble, teaching them a valuable lesson about sharing, respect, and the importance of understanding each other's feelings. From that day on, Cherry and Lee learned to communicate better and respect each other's boundaries. They learned that sharing was a gift, but it was also important to respect each other's belongings and feelings. And they learned that sometimes, all it takes

    5 min
  2. JAN 7

    Chomchom's Time-In Adventure - A bedtime Story

    Send us a text Chomchom was a little beagle boy with floppy ears, a waggly tail, and a nose for adventure! He loved exploring every nook and cranny of his home, from the sunny spots on the rug to the mysterious corners under the sofa. Sometimes, though, his adventures got him into a bit of trouble. "Chomchom! No chewing on the table leg!" his mom would say, gently scooping him up. "Time out for you, little one." Chomchom knew the drill. Time out meant sitting quietly on the special rug in the hallway for a few minutes. He didn't like it much. It was boring! He'd much rather be sniffing out treats or chasing his tail. One day, Chomchom's Aunt Zee came to visit. Aunt Zee was a kid play specialist, which sounded very important and exciting. She had a bright smile and a bag full of colorful toys. Chomchom wagged his tail so hard his whole body wiggled! Aunt Zee played hide-and-seek with Chomchom, built a magnificent pillow fort, and even taught him how to do a "paw-five." Chomchom had the best day ever! But then, disaster struck! Chomchom, in his excitement, accidentally knocked over a vase of flowers. Water splashed everywhere, and the beautiful vase shattered into pieces. Uh oh. Chomchom's mom sighed. "Chomchom, time out," she said, pointing to the rug in the hallway. Chomchom hung his head and trudged towards his time-out spot. But before he could reach it, Aunt Zee gently stopped him. "Wait!" she said with a twinkle in her eye. "Instead of time out, how about we try a time-in?" Chomchom tilted his head, his ears flopping with curiosity. "Time-in?" he woofed. "That's right!" Aunt Zee said, leading him to a cozy corner of the living room. "A time-in is a special time to calm down and feel better." She pulled out a soft blanket and a basket of interesting toys. There was a squishy ball, a crinkly toy, and even a puzzle with colorful shapes! "When you feel overwhelmed or upset," Aunt Zee explained, "you can come to your time-in space and relax. You can play with these toys, take deep breaths, or just cuddle up in the blanket." Chomchom was intrigued. This sounded much better than sitting alone on the rug! He snuggled into the blanket and started playing with the crinkly toy. The crinkling sound was so soothing, and the toy was so much fun to chew on! Aunt Zee sat beside him, gently stroking his fur. "It's okay to make mistakes, Chomchom," she said softly. "We all do. But it's important to learn how to calm down and make things right." Chomchom looked up at Aunt Zee with his big, brown eyes. He felt safe and loved. Later, Aunt Zee talked to Chomchom's mom about time-ins. "Time-outs can sometimes make children feel isolated and ashamed," she explained. "Time-ins, on the other hand, provide a safe and comforting space for them to regulate their emotions." Chomchom's mom listened thoughtfully. "That makes a lot of sense," she said. "I want Chomchom to learn from his mistakes, but I also want him to feel loved and supported." From that day on, Chomchom's home had a special time-in corner. Whenever Chomchom felt overwhelmed, frustrated, or sad, he knew he could go to his time-in space to calm down and feel better. He loved his time-in corner! It was his own little haven of peace and comfort. And you know what? Chomchom started making fewer mistakes. He learned to control his impulses and think before he acted. He was still a playful and curious little beagle, but now he had a new tool to help him navigate his adventures with more care and confidence.

    4 min
  3. 12/28/2024

    Replacing Time Outs with Time Ins - A New Approach

    Send us a text Host 1: Okay, so let's dive right into this parenting dilemma that's been around forever. You know that moment when your kids are just in full meltdown mode? Host 2: Yeah. Host 1: And you're just like, "What do I even do?" Timeout always seems like the go-to. But are we maybe doing more harm than good? Host 2: Right. Host 1: So today, we're going to be looking at this question, and we're going to be using an article from the Child Mind Institute called, "Are Timeouts Harmful to Children?"1 Host 2: Interesting. Host 1: So, this one's for all you parents out there. You know, when you really think about it, sending a kid to their room to think about what they've done is kind of a new thing when you think about it. I always just assumed that timeouts were like a universal… Host 2: Oh yeah, for sure, they're everywhere now. Host 1: But it's actually a pretty recent thing. The article says that they kind of became popular in the 1950s2 as a more humane way to discipline kids than what they were doing before. Host 2: So, what were they doing before? Host 1: A lot of corporal punishment3. Host 2: Oh, so like spankings and stuff. Host 1: Yeah, exactly. Host 2: Wow, okay. So it was seen as a gentler alternative. Host 1: Much gentler. Host 2: But what made everyone change their minds about this? Like was it society changing? Host 1: I think it was a few things. You know, after World War II, there was just tons more research about psychology, including stuff about child development and like how parents affect their kids3. So, I think that research probably helped people realize that hitting your kids is probably not a good idea4. So, we moved away from all that, and then timeout became the new thing, right? Host 2: But then how did it become so popular? Host 1: Well, behaviorism was also getting really big then, and that's all about, you know, rewarding good behavior and ignoring bad behavior4. Like if a kid throws a tantrum, you just ignore them. Eventually, they'll learn that it doesn't get them what they want45. Host 2: So, it's like they're saying, "Okay, this isn't working. I need to try something else." Host 1: Exactly. Host 2: Okay, I get it. But like anything popular, people started criticizing timeouts too. Didn't that Time magazine article cause a whole big… Host 1: Oh, yeah, in 20145. That was the one that said it was like solitary confinement5. Host 2: Exactly. I remember reading that and feeling kind of bad about what I was doing. I think a lot of parents felt that way. Host 1: Yeah, but I think they came back later and clarified what they meant6. They said they weren't against all timeouts, just the ones that are used as a really harsh punishment6. Host 2: So, it's not really about the timeout itself, it's about how you use it. Host 1: It's all about how you use it. I think this whole debate shows that we really need to think more carefully about when to use timeouts6. And the Child Mind Institute article really helps with that. They make a really important point about the difference between ignoring the behavior and ignoring the child7. Host 2: You're saying it's about setting boundaries but not making the child feel rejected? Host 1: Exactly. You don't want them to feel like you don't care7.

    11 min
  4. 12/19/2024

    Mindful Moments for Kids - Tips and Part of Life

    Send us a text Welcome to our deep dive into mindfulness for kids and teens. We've got a really interesting mix of sources for this one: articles with activities, a popular app, and even a look at how physical activity can help with anxiety. By the end, you'll have a ton of strategies to help the kids in your life deal with, well, everything. So, one of our articles starts with a quote from Eckhart Tolle. He says, "In today's rush, we all think too much, seek too much, want too much, and forget about the joy of just being.” What do you think that means for kids, especially with how connected they are all the time these days? That's a great question. Yeah, it's easy to see how all the stimulation makes it tough to just be. For them, the joy of just being might be those times when they're like completely absorbed in building with Legos or just lost in their own little world or even just like feeling the sun on their skin. It's about those times when their minds quiet down and they're just present. It's like they're mindful without even knowing it. Exactly. And the research shows that encouraging that natural mindfulness can have some amazing benefits for kids. Studies have linked mindfulness practices to better focus, better emotional regulation, and even better social skills. It's not just about being calm. It's about giving them the tools to handle stress, deal with challenges, and build good relationships. I find that fascinating. That just paying attention can have such a big impact on how they develop. Makes you wonder, how early can you start introducing mindfulness? Well, you can actually start really young. Obviously, you wouldn't expect a toddler to sit still and meditate for half an hour. But, there are age appropriate activities that can introduce the idea of being in the moment. Like think about blowing bubbles. Encourage them to really notice the colors, the shapes, how they move. Or go for a nature walk and help them use their senses to explore what's around them. It's about making it playful and fun, fostering a sense of curiosity and wonder. I love those ideas. It's about making mindfulness part of everyday life and not making it a separate thing. Precisely. And one of the things we're looking at today, the Calm Cham app, really takes that concept and runs with it. It's designed to make mindfulness fun for kids. It uses games, interactive stories, and even personalized challenges. Okay, I'm definitely curious about Calm Cham. But before we jump into the app itself, let's look at some of those more traditional mindfulness activities. The article, "25 Fun Mindfulness Activities for Children and Teens," is full of ideas. Oh yeah. That article is a gold mine. And I really appreciate how it stresses tailoring the activities to the child's age and interests. A five-year-old is obviously going to respond to different things than a teenager. Right. How about we start with something simple and active? The article mentions mindful posing. Basically, kids try poses like Superman or Wonder Woman and notice how it makes them feel. I have to admit, I chuckled when I read that one. It seems so playful, but I can see how it could be powerful too. It might seem silly at first, but there's a lot of wisdom in that. Having kids strike a power pose and focus on how their bodies feel can help them connect with feelings strong and confident. It's like a physical way to have a positive mindset. And at a deeper level, it introduces the idea that how we feel physically can affect how we feel emotionally. Almost like tricking their brains into feeling more empowered. Exactly. And you can make it even more playful for younger kids by doing animal poses. Imagine a room full of kids roaring like lions or flapping their wings like birds. They're not just movi

    15 min

About

"Mindfulness For Kids" is a weekly podcast that aims to build a vibrant and supportive community for Mindfulness activities ofFor kids. We'll delve into the unique challenges and strengths that come with being a parent and a teacher, sharing inspiring stories, practical tips, and expert advice. Our goal is to make mindfulness a part of everyday life, highlighting the incredible potential and calmness it bring to us.