"Mindfulness is nothing other than present-moment awareness, an open and friendly willingness to understand what is going on in and around you," writes Eline Snel. She is a therapist and mindfulness teacher who has piloted a successful mindfulness program in the Netherlands schools aimed to help kids become more focused and better equipped to cope with stress and anxiety.
The first U.S. edition of her book contains a foreword by bestselling author Jon Kabat-Zinn. An instructional CD read by Myala Kabat-Zinn includes age-appropriate exercises in mind-based practices.
Parents will appreciate Snel's advice on teaching the art of stopping and observing, paying attention to the breath, moving out of your head into your body, weathering the storms inside (we love the family exercise "Your Personal Weather Report"), handling difficult feelings, dealing with worries, learning kindness as a skill, and practicing patience, trust, and letting go.
We join with the author in wishing you good luck with the exercises; may they help you and the children in your circle to live even more mindful, relaxed, and confident lives.
