Introducing mindfulness into the lives of our children and teenagers is perhaps the greatest gift we can offer. Mindfulness builds emotional intelligence, boosts happiness, increases curiosity and engagement, reduces anxiety and depression, soothes the pain of trauma, and helps kids (and adults) focus, learn, and make better choices. If that weren t enough, research now shows that mindfulness significantly enhances what psychologists call flourishing the opposite of depression and avoidance. Growing Up Mindful helps parents, educators, and counselors learn how to embody and share the skills of mindfulness that will empower our children with resilience throughout their lives. With more than 75 accessible exercises and practices, along with adaptations for the individual needs of a wide range of children and teens, this inspiring guidebook brings you road-tested insights and tools. .

Part I. Understanding mindfulness -- Stress and the American kid -- Mindfulness: what exactly is it? -- Building the foundation: your own mindfulness practice -- Part II. Practices for children and teens -- Introducing mindfulness to kids -- Visualizing mindfulness: harnessing the imagination -- Mind the body: body-based mindfulness practices -- Going with the flow: mindfulness and movement -- Shortcut to the present: using sound and our senses -- Playing attention: games, play, and creative mindfulness -- Making the virtual virtuous: mindfulness and technology -- Making mindfulness stick: integrating short practices into the day -- Part III. Sharing mindfulness in a formal setting -- Tips for teaching mindfulness -- Enlightened community: creating a culture of mindfulness.