The gentle whisper of autumn is here, bringing with it a time of transformation and new beginnings. Our theme, "Acorns and Amber," is here to remind us of the season’s serene beauty and the potential within us all for change. As the leaves transition into vibrant hues of amber, and acorns find their way to the nurturing soil, we too can embrace the cycle of growth and rejuvenation.

Discover 'Rest Your Mind Time'—mindfulness activities for kids that promote inner calm and focus. Featuring the “One Minute Challenge” with the Calming Cuties and more, these activities are perfect for parents, providers and educators seeking effective ways to help children de-stress.

As we approach the season of spring, we can reflect on our challenges and triumphs over the past few months, and look towards the brighter days and months ahead of us.  At this time of change, it is also a good time to remember the benefits of tuning into the world around us, by taking moments to pause and observe, enjoying the blue skies, the sounds of spring, and life re-emerging around us from the winter. 

Just as deer feed their bodies for strength and endurance particularly leading up to colder weather, we can also feed our minds! As we immerse ourselves in the winter season, let’s tune in to our breath to help with calm and resilience while we build our brains. All that’s needed are a few moments to reset and refocus, enabling us to continue with a clearer mind and greater sense of inner peace. Let’s be resilient like deer!

The cold winter months and busyness of the holidays can sometimes leave us feeling blue and overloaded. We can turn to nature and to our breath for help! Think of bright yellow and orange Wintergold pines and firs that light up dreary skies and bring warmth to the landscape. We can bring this warmth and light into our lives too, while practicing gratitude for what’s within us and around us.

We hope you enjoy this theme centred around “You Are Enough,” from our session at the ReConnect Parent Town Hall. Remember that “You are a work of greatness” every day. You can read this affirmation with the children you support too! Find more mindfulness activities for children including breathing exercises as a part of this theme.

During every stage in life, we all want to feel a sense of support, comfort and safety. With these creative activities we can help encourage a greater understanding of situations and people that make children feel safe.

These activities are great ways to support communication at home or school by sparking conversation about how we care for ourselves, our communities, and our planet!

Learn evidence-based mindfulness activities and exercises that bring calm, connection and healing to you and the little ones you support, as well as tools to help build resilience.

This creation of a safe space can allow an individual to feel supported, able to let go of worries and stresses, and just simply be. We believe that when an individual feels calm and safe in a space, this can help open up communication and develop creativity, allowing them to be seen and heard.

Learn evidence-based mindfulness activities and exercises that bring calm, connection and healing to you and the little ones you support, as well as tools to help build resilience.

As the world begins to regenerate around us, we too can encourage growth and expansion within ourselves. We can choose to support ourselves by bringing light and warmth into our everyday through mindfulness practices. We can use this time of the year to get outside more and notice the beautiful changes in nature, draw in some morning movement perhaps, write in a journal, or begin daily practices to positively bookend morning and night.

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.

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.

“It was magnificent in its simplicity and in its effectiveness in getting the little kids to focus on their breathing. It calmed them down and put them into a relaxed state in no time."

It was an honour to be invited to the announcement of the NSPCC’s Look, Say, Sing, Play campaign at the Fulham Central Children’s Centre, the first London Authority to launch the campaign. The event was attended by Leader of H&F Council, Stephen Cowan, and CEO of the NSPCC, Peter Wanless, Family Support Managing Director Peter Watt and stakeholders in Hammersmith and Fulham children's wellbeing.