Prof offers ABCs of mindfulness as Sask. students return to the classroom

One University of Saskatchewan professor thinks there is a special tool that is helpful to all children, but you won't find it listed on a back-to-school supply list.

"We think about kids as being small adults and that's really not the case," said Adam Stacey.

"Kids are not going to react to stressin the same way that an adult would."

Stacey, an assistant professor in psychology at the University of Saskatchewan, suggested that children should return to class with skills in mindfulness.

"Mindfulness means paying attention to the present moment, without efforts to judge it or to change it," explained Stacey essentially, letting the moment be without trying to impose our will on it, he said.

There is a good body of research that suggests practising mindfulness can help people cope with stress, anxiety and depression. Pausingto be in the moment can also help children better recognize and understand strong emotions.

• All In Your Mind: How mindful and meditative practices are gaining mainstream momentum
• Are meditation and mindfulness all they're cracked up to be?

5 things

Stacey has some simple instructions for parents who might be trying to teach their younger children mindfulness skills.

He suggested that asking children to recognize and make note of things in their immediate environment can help them restand focus on the present moment.

"It's very, very hard to do that with your mind also on the bully at school, or your mind on your homework," he said.

Staceysuggests particularly with youngerchildren, you can help them be mindfulby asking themto think about:

• Five things they can see.
• Five things they can hear.
• Five things they can touch.

Never mind monkey mind

For some children, non-stop intrusive thoughts seem impossible to calm. Stacey's advice for parents is to ask children to try taking some time to be mindful, and then try again.

If kids see you being present, then they are going to want to do the same thing.- Adam Stacey

"It's just like a muscle, so the longer you practise, the stronger those techniques are going to become."

When all else fails, Stacey suggested that leading by example might be the best way for parents to teach children to become more connected to mindfulness.

"If your kids see you being present, then they are going to want to do the same thing."

• Simple Mindfulness Activities Kids (And Parents!) Can Start Right Now