During the COVID-19 lockdown, many children adopted remote learning techniques. While some kids excelled in remote learning environments, others experienced significant setbacks. Parents recognized the limitations of schooling from home, especially relating to playing.
If a student is an only child, they may rely on school to develop their social skills. Many individuals learn patience and mindfulness on the playground. There are four ways children practice mindfulness through play.
What Constitutes as Mindful Play?
Before exploring mindful play, individuals must assess mindfulness as an independent concept. Mindfulness is the practice of actively remaining present. While practicing mindfulness, individuals fully attend to activities, thoughts and sensations in the moment.
Mindful play is minimally stimulating. It generally requires few additives, like art supplies or a playground. Playtime should allow kids to independently process their emotions and physical sensations.
Recess and other playtimes allow children to access mindfulness. There are four ways play and mindfulness connect. Promoting playtime at home and at school is essential to teach emotional regulation and other elements of mindfulness.
1. Self-Awareness
Many parents teach their children to “brush off” their emotions, which leads to mental and physical distress down the line. As everyday lifestyles become busier, individuals can benefit from heightened awareness. Mindful play can help children develop self-awareness.
Kids must determine which activities and students they want to engage with on the playground. They connect with their physical sensations and emotions, determining which activities make them feel good. If children have high energy levels, they may participate in more physical forms of play like basketball.
When students feel more tired, they may engage in less stimulating activities like drawing on the pavement with chalk. Acknowledging one’s emotions and physical sensations helps them choose an ideal playtime activity. Students may also develop empathy and compassion on the playground.
2. Empathy and Compassion
Researchers discovered when individuals practice mindfulness, they have higher levels of compassion towards themselves and others. Mindfully playing can increase a child’s understanding of mental and physical discomfort. When they correlate pain with falling off the swing set, they can better care for themselves by being more careful in the future.
If children experience sadness after getting left out of a game, they may feel more compassion for other students sharing similar experiences. Being aware of one’s emotions and physical sensations enhances their care for others and themselves. Mindful play also helps students develop self-regulation skills.
3. Self-Regulation
Mindfulness helps individuals regulate their emotions and approach problems with a conscious and clear mind. When students regularly check in during playtime, they can connect with their present physical and emotional needs. Regularly tending to one’s needs may reduce agitation and physical discomfort.
Rather than starting arguments on the playground, mindful students can verbally express their emotions and explore practical solutions. Kids may also develop sensory awareness on the playground, promoting mindfulness.
4. Sensory Awareness
Many children spend hours each day escaping reality on their digital devices. When individuals engage in screen time, they may feel disconnected from their physical sensations. Mindful play helps students get in touch with their body sensations and environments.
On the playground, kids may engage in new forms of exercise. They can identify pain, numbness or tiredness in different areas of their bodies when playing. Students may use their sensory awareness to identify comfort or discomfort in other areas of life.
Benefits of Mindful Play
Mindful play is especially important in childhood development. Kids who engage in active mindfulness have higher brain functions because they develop higher awareness levels. They also experience less depression and anxiety, increasing their focus and engagement in the classroom.
Children also have sharper memories when regularly practicing mindful play. They allow more blood and oxygen to reach their brains during exercise, which increases cognitive functions. Teachers and guardians can promote mindfulness on the playground to help students access the physical and emotional benefits.
How to Promote Mindful Play
Mindful play is an intuitive and instinctual practice. Teachers and guardians can facilitate students’ deeper connections with themselves by promoting awareness. Adults may conduct check-ins during recess to assess students’ emotional and physical well-being.
Teachers can ask kids to engage in a five senses check-in. During the practice, they may ground and feel more present. They can also recognize the ways in which play increases their levels of joy, peace, self-awareness and other positive feelings.
Adults should also limit screen time during recess. Websites and social media apps can cause significant mental and emotional distress. On rainy days when outdoor play is inaccessible, teachers may hold recess in the gymnasium rather than putting on a movie to promote mindfulness.
How Can You Facilitate Mindful Play at Home?
The COVID-19 virus is constantly changing, increasing individuals’ susceptibility to new variants. If schools lockdown again, parents can facilitate mindful play at home to improve their children’s health and well-being. Guardians may promote mindful play by engaging in physical activities outdoors with their little ones.
Walking, biking, kicking a soccer ball, playing basketball and other activities can expand a child’s emotional and physical awareness. Parents may also conduct regular check-ins, helping kids connect to their mental status and bodily sensations. If you live in a neighborhood with many children, you can additionally hold playdates to expand your kid’s social engagement.