Because childcare workers have a lot going on around them, including children and families who are hurting and in need of your energy and support, it can be normal to forget about your own needs. That’s why it’s important to remind yourself of all that you are. Self-care and appreciation practices can help with ground yourself and bringing about positive feelings in those times you need it most.

Welcome to Earth Day… An annual event that aims to raise awareness around the world about how we can protect our plant! In this post, we have included some Earth Day activity ideas for kids, that you can do at home or in the classroom. We hope you enjoy these creative activities, yoga poses, breathing exercises and mindful toolboxes that help with worldly well-being, healing and connection!

We can use our mindfulness tools to connect with our breath, bodies and minds, and also to those around us. But we want to expand on this by bringing awareness to how we can better connect with the environment and earth too. Through mindful practices and products, we can make a difference on planet earth through simple lifestyle tweaks and choices.

New spring mindfulness themes for the home, classroom and those who work with children include “Breaking Through Like A Lotus Through Mud” and “Gentle Breezes and Bluebirds.” Find yoga poses, creative activities, healing mantras, meditations for calm and more.

We hope you enjoy this “Brave Lion” interactive Mindful Activity Pack for families and classrooms. Follow along with Sabra The Lioness as she learns how to use Lion’s Breath to conquer her fears, join Alby and Friends with special guest Sammy the Lion for Lion’s Breath too! Also find a mantra for strength, creative activity, education about the world of lions as well as how we can make the earth a better place for them!

We hope you enjoy this theme around strength and bravery, to help the children in your home or classroom release overwhelming feelings and conquer their fears. Follow along with Sabra The Lioness to learn how she uses Lion’s Breath, and learn how to do Lion’s Breath with Alby and Friends!

Join Olivia the Otter on her mindful journey with creative activities, mantras, yoga poses, meditation and more. Build self-confidence and find calm with Olivia! Learn about her adventures in the sea and kelp forests too. A character education and emotional literacy tool. (27 pages)

Written and designed by HERE Co-Founders Jen Armstrong (MSc Developmental and Educational Psychology, 95 hour RCYT Kids Yoga and 200 hour RYT Yoga instructor) and Dana Dyksterhuis.

Join Martin the Mountain Goat on his mindful journey with creative activities, mantras, yoga poses, meditation and more. Build resilience and conquer your fears with Martin! Learn about Martin and his adventures in the Olympic National Park and Cascade Mountains too. A character education and emotional literacy tool. (26 pages)

Each mindful activity pack has been created with a focus on a particular theme, such as building resilience, or inviting calm into the day, and is suitable for one-to-one use or in group settings. We hope you enjoy exploring the content and find comfort in your hearts and minds!

Creating a garden of respect helps put things in perspective and allows you and your family members to take a step back and remember the simple things that are so important in life.

Through times of hardship and struggle such as what many of us are experiencing now, creating mandalas are a great way for kids and adults alike to focus their minds through this therapeutic activity.

"It felt natural to share the practice of self-loving kindness in the guided Ho'oponopono; the ancient practice of self-forgiveness, acceptance and unconditional love. Very often we feel inadequate and not a good enough parent, guardian or human, and the simple but beautiful meditative words: “I'M SORRY, PLEASE FORGIVE ME, THANK YOU, I LOVE YOU” are to remind us and bring us back to our core practice of love, humility and assurance."

It is important to be happy right? Absolutely! But it is unrealistic to be this way all of them time as life loves to throw a lot at us, good and bad. In light of Children’s Mental Health Week, we wanted to share our happiness toolbox to offer coping mechanisms for when the rough stuff comes our way, as well as to help bring in some joy into your life.

Whether it’s feeling your blood pressure rise during a long queue at the store, or experiencing overwhelming feelings of sadness and stress due to family trauma, we can all feel overloaded, particularly during the holidays. We understand, and have created some simple breathing techniques, mantras and yoga poses for those moments you need some inner peace.

A very special time of year is upon us, that brings families, loved ones and friends together, feelings of gratitude and hope and new beginnings. At least, in a perfect world that’s what the holidays are like. In reality, it’s also the most trying time of year for many and even painful due to life circumstances current and past. It’s why we are focusing a special Christmas Om:Pop series on “Resilience and Healing For the Holidays” with Family Support, Hammersmith & Fulham.

Mindful family sessions can offer clarity and calm amid the chaos that family life will inevitably bring. We’ve just completed an OM:POP series with Family Support in Hammersmith & Fulham and can confirm that mindful practices deliver a sense of wellbeing even with a whole host of tiny tots in the room.

Once you have expanded your awareness back into the space where you are sitting or standing, notice whether there is a shift in your breath and/or your mood. Then remember that a mindful awareness practice, such as this yogic humming bee breath, can calm your nerves and release feelings of frustration, anxiety and even anger.

Supporting your child, being focused on them when you are interacting, and providing a loving, trusting relationship is the best way to help your child to build resilience. - Family Support, Hammersmith and Fulham