No question about it: life can be stressful and not just for adults. Young children also feel the pressures of the world around them. How kids learn to handle these pressures can have lifelong effects on their health and well-being. Scientific research shows us that mindfulness works, but how do you teach it to little ones?
Bright Horizons, a leader in early childhood education, has incorporated daily mindfulness practice in its classrooms using the Inner Explorer program. Inner Explorer is a mindfulness platform that supports kids’ mental health and well-being in schools and centers.
“Our teachers use the Inner Explorer program to teach mindfulness and healthy coping behaviors,” says Claire Goss, senior manager, Parenting Education and Resources at Bright Horizons. “It’s part of our routine at Bright Horizons, and we have seen immediate results.”
Bright Horizons mindfulness practice leads the way
When it comes to early childhood education, Bright Horizons has taken the lead on teaching mindfulness using the Inner Explorer program, designed by Laura S. Bakosh, PhD. The company piloted the Inner Explorer program at select centers and recently rolled the program out across all Bright Horizons centers in the United States.
Bright Horizons ensures that every teacher is fully trained to incorporate mindfulness into daily activities, Goss explains. “All staff center leadership has had training on the Inner Explorer platform. It’s easy to use and very intuitive.”
“With science-backed methods and real-life success stories, Bright Horizons is making sure your child gets the very best start in life,” she says.
Here are five important ways that the Bright Horizons mindfulness program helps young children:
1. It boosts your child’s learning power
Do you dream about your child walking into their classroom each day feeling calm, focused and ready to learn? With Inner Explorer, this is reality, says Goss. “Research shows us that any type of stress blocks thinking and learning — a stressed brain is unable to focus.”
With simple mindfulness practices like deep breathing and sensory activities, Bright Horizons helps kids ease their minds, making them more ready to soak up new knowledge and experiences. Whether they’re preparing for preschool or getting ready for the challenges of elementary school, mindfulness gives them the tools they need.
2. It builds emotional superpowers
Helping your child navigate their big feelings is a top priority at Bright Horizons, says Goss. Through their Inner Explorer program, children learn powerful techniques to manage emotions, setting the stage for a lifetime of healthy emotional habits.
“Even a short daily practice increases critical thinking skills, emotional management and decision-making,” says Goss, who is also a mom of three and a contributor to the Bright Horizons podcast Teach. Play. Love.
What kinds of mindfulness practice can you expect at Bright Horizons?
“Kids may do ‘starfish breathing’ which is when you open your hand wide and trace the fingers one at a time with each inhale and exhale,” says Goss.
Another mindfulness technique for kids is having them place a stuffed animal on their belly and watch it rise and fall with their breathing. The activities are comfortable, calming and easy to do at home, Goss notes.
“Parents tell me that their kids are enjoying the Bright Horizons mindfulness practices so much that they are sharing what they learn with the family!”
3. Mindfulness supports a healthy brain and body
With Bright Horizons’ Inner Explorer program, kids learn to connect their minds and bodies in ways that make them feel strong and centered.
“Kids are sensory learners — the more body integration, the better,” explains Goss.
Whether they’re going on a mindful walk or practicing deep breathing after playtime, these activities are designed to calm kids’ nerves and boost their physical well-being. It’s a holistic approach that keeps your child’s mind sharp and body healthy.
4. It creates a happy, calm classroom
A calm classroom is a happy classroom. When you expose the classroom to regular mindfulness practices early, the entire learning environment becomes a serene space where both kids and teachers can thrive.
“The educators who use Inner Explorer regularly are finding that it really works,” says Goss. “Teachers have commented that the feeling in the classroom afterward is so calm, with co-regulation between the adults and the kids.”
Plus, when kids and teachers practice mindfulness together, it builds a special bond and makes learning more fun and effective.
5. Mindfulness gives your child the tools for a lifetime of success
Mindfulness isn’t just a trend — it’s a powerful tool that will stay with your child for life, says Goss.
“We are giving kids a gift, a tool for their toolbox. It doesn’t eliminate stress [completely], but it gives them a tool to help them in tough situations,” she emphasizes.
From handling the challenges of school to facing life’s bigger hurdles, the mindfulness techniques your child learns at Bright Horizons will help them every step of the way. As Goss puts it, “These are the 21st century skills that employers want – why wait to teach them?”
“Even if you’re not practicing mindfulness at home, your child is still getting all the benefits of it when they attend Bright Horizons,” Goss adds. “We’ve got you covered so you can rest assured that your child is getting the best experience possible.”
Ready to learn more about Bright Horizons and what it can offer your child? Visit brighthorizons.com for information and Chicago-area locations.
