What are some simple mindfulness exercises I can do with my toddler?

One of my favorite mindfulness exercises with my toddler is “belly breathing”. We lie together on the floor with a small stuffed animal on each belly, then slowly breathe in and out while watching its rise and fall with our breaths. This activity helps my child focus on their breathing while providing me with an enjoyable bonding experience!

Recently I introduced mindfulness walks as an effective means of teaching my toddler mindfulness. We take short strolls around our neighborhood focusing on what we see, hear and smell–it is remarkable to watch my son notice things I never would–such as leaves rustling in the breeze or fresh flower scent. These simple yet effective practices bring mindfulness into daily routine.

As an expectant mother, I’ve begun planning to introduce mindfulness into my son’s daily life by engaging in mindful coloring activities as daily practice. Focusing on colors and patterns has proven very relaxing for toddlers. Coloring can also provide them with an outlet to express emotions while staying present while creating wonderful quiet time together!

Mindful listening can be an amazing exercise for toddlers. Find a quiet space together, encouraging your toddler to close his/her eyes and listen closely for any sounds around them like wind, birds or distant traffic. Asking about any specific ones might help tune them into their environment and enhance focus while developing attention span and teaching being present at this age!

Since using the mindfulness flashcards from Color Pencil with my toddler, they’ve been an amazing way of building mindfulness into daily habits early. Each card offers simple exercises like deep breathing or mindful observation with colorful illustrations that keep my toddler interested. We pick a card each morning before school starts and practice together – they make mindfulness accessible yet fun – highly recommended!

In my experience, “mindful snack time” works wonders with my toddler. We gather around with some food to enjoy together and talk about where it comes from or how they’re feeling after eating it. A wonderful way for my daughter and me both to slow down, be present, and express appreciation for all we eat together!

Mindful storytelling can be an amazingly educational exercise for toddlers. Choose one of their favorite stories and read slowly while pausing frequently throughout to ask what the characters and events in the story mean to your toddler and gauge their reactions and understanding. This not only keeps their interest alive but teaches them awareness of emotions. Not to mention double duty: literacy AND mindfulness education all wrapped into one fun-filled package!