Summer Mindfulness for Kids & Teens at the Madison Community House

"When I couldn't find my family, I used mindfulness to calm down," reported one Third-Grader from Chatham Day School, at the end of an eight-week course in mindfulness. A Fifth-Grader from Torey J. Elementary School in Madison said she used mindfulness to help her transition to sleep. "I have a hard time falling asleep at night."

This Summer, kids in all grades are invited to take classes in Mindfulness at the Madison Community House. Classes are offered by Mindful Kids, whose founder Mary Lea Crawley, is a Certified Mindfulness Educator, teaching mindfulness in schools, as well as privately.

"Mindfulness teaches kids how to pay attention and calm down," says Crawley. "And kids are hungry for these tools. They recognize that they are often distracted and want to put their mind on their work or on the sport they are playing. With mindfulness, they learn to notice when their mind wanders, when emotion is building within them, and choose a strategy to bring themselves back to the moment at hand."

The research and science behind mindfulness show its benefits in strengthening executive functions – like focus, concentration, decision-making and self-regulation – and reducing stress and anxiety. Mindfulness changes the neural wiring in brains of all ages, but especially in the developing minds of kids and adolescents. Last May, the New York Times reported in its Well blog, "Meditative practices have the potential to change the structure and function of the brain in ways that foster academic success." Its May 10 article provided a meta-analysis of several studies published in the past two years.

Mindful Kids offerings at the Madison Community House include: Beginning Mindfulness classes; Mindful Practice Clubs, for kids with experience in mindfulness; and a Mindfulness & Yoga Summer Camp. These programs teach kids discrete mindful tools – like mindful listening, mindful breathing, fight-flight-freeze wiring – and help kids bring awareness to the thoughts and emotions that build inside them.

To learn how to register for these programs or for or more information about mindfulness, please contact Mary Lea Crawley at marylea@mindfulkidsnj.com. Go to www.mindfulkidsnj.com for more information about the date and times of each specific class.