Awakening mindfulness in children in the mountain stream – experiencing nature in a playful way
Achtsamkeit bei Kindern wecken bedeutet auch, den respektvollen Umgang mit Tieren zu fördern. Der Junge auf dem Bild füttert behutsam ein Reh und erlebt, wie nah und sanft Begegnungen in der Natur sein können.
Family vacation in autumn in Austria, Carinthia – children play on the water playground in the Kirchleitn holiday village

Awakening Mindfulness in Children

Awakening more mindfulness in children at the Slow Travel Resort Kirchleitn

In a world full of distractions and a constant flow of information, where children are often confronted with many stimuli and expectations, mindfulness can be a valuable skill for our offspring.

Mindfulness helps children to stay in the present, to better understand their thoughts and feelings, and to experience their environment with more calm and serenity.

While everyday life is often characterized by many influences, time pressure and stress, a Slow Travel vacation can be used as an opportunity to bring children closer to mindfulness again.

The Slow Travel Resort Kirchleitn in the Carinthian mountain village of St. Oswald offers the ideal environment to spend a relaxing vacation and dedicate yourself to the topic of “mindfulness in children” in a relaxed and quiet atmosphere.

Benefits of strengthening mindfulness in children

Promotion of emotional intelligence

Mindfulness on vacation promotes the ability to recognize and regulate one’s own emotions. Children learn not to suppress or ignore their feelings, but to perceive them consciously. This helps them develop a better understanding of themselves and express their emotions in a healthy way.

Improvement of concentration

In a time when many children struggle with constant distractions, such as the overstimulation of digital media, mindfulness training helps to strengthen children’s concentration. Mindfulness exercises train attention and enable children to better focus on tasks.

Strengthening of social skills and empathy

Mindfulness supports children in paying more conscious attention to their fellow human beings. Those who perceive their own feelings develop a better understanding of others more easily. In this way, children learn to act empathetically, resolve conflicts respectfully, and build stable, appreciative relationships with their fellow human beings.

Dealing with stress and fears

Especially in a time when children are often exposed to stress and anxiety, mindfulness can be a helpful tool to calm their own thoughts and stabilize themselves, rather than being overwhelmed by negative feelings.

Family vacation in the Nockberge mountains

Spend unforgettable family moments at the Slow Travel Resort Kirchleitn.
Book your vacation apartment in Bad Kleinkirchheim now and enjoy a mindful break in the Nockberge mountains.

Time together in the mountains

Slow Travel Resort Kirchleitn
– the right place for mindfulness exercises with children

Simple mindfulness exercises for children are best practiced where there is a calm and harmonious atmosphere.

The Slow Travel Resort Kirchleitn stands for a place where deceleration and balance are actually lived. In addition to the breathtaking nature, the resort also offers a wide range of opportunities to find peace and relaxation.

Apart from that, mindfulness exercises can also take place particularly well in the open air and in a natural environment. Around the cozy apartments in Bad Kleinkirchheim is the Biosphere Park Nockberge, an area with numerous places that are ideal for mindfulness exercises with children.

Achtsamkeit bei Kindern wecken durch gemeinsame Naturerlebnisse in den Bergen

Preparations for mindfulness exercises with children

Achtsamkeit bei Kindern wecken schon im Babyalter auf der Alm

It is important that the place for mindfulness exercises with children is quiet and undisturbed.

Major distractions should be avoided. The children should feel completely comfortable. This also includes that they are not too tired for the exercises, are not hungry or thirsty, and are neither freezing nor sweating. It makes sense to use the toilet again before the exercises.

Another important point is the duration of the exercise. Children should not be occupied with the exercises for longer than 5 to 10 minutes and should be informed before the start how much time the execution will take. The children should not be forced to participate, but should participate in the mindfulness training voluntarily.

Five simple mindfulness exercises with children

Almost every child from the age of 4 can participate in these exercises. Ideally, parents and their children should find a suitable place in the Slow Travel Resort Kirchleitn where they can deepen their attention and mindfulness bit by bit undisturbed. Of course, there is nothing to prevent the whole family from doing the exercises together.

1. Relaxation exercise “the silent minute”

Children linger in complete silence for one minute, without speaking, they keep their eyes closed. After the silent minute, the children are asked what they perceived (heartbeat, their own breathing, what could be heard, smelled and felt).

2. Breathing exercise “Balloon”

Children sit comfortably and upright, hands are placed on the stomach. Slow inhalation deep into the abdomen, as if the abdomen were a balloon. Slow exhalation, the abdomen contracts again. The breathing exercise is repeated several times.

3. Exercise for body awareness “Body Scan”

Children sit or lie comfortably, begin to concentrate on their own body, try to feel weak points or tensions. Parents now instruct with a calm voice to feel each part of the body individually, starting from the feet to the head. Children are encouraged to consciously feel and let go of unpleasant things.

4. Gratitude exercise “Thank you for…”

At the end of the day, children name three things they are grateful for. This can also be “just” a short moment. This makes the children aware of positive experiences during the day and they recognize the importance of the little joys in life.

5. Exercise for mindful walking and observing “Sharpening the senses”

When walking mindfully, children can sharpen their senses and concentrate on the environment by walking slowly and consciously. A soft forest floor or a meadow is best suited for this exercise. The exercise can also be performed with eyes closed and a companion.

The effect of mindfulness and sustainability on children

In a world that is constantly changing, it is becoming increasingly important to teach children to be mindful of themselves, others and nature.

Mindfulness exercises can not only promote emotional health, but also create a awareness of sustainable action. In addition to mindfully exploring nature, gratitude for self-evident resources (water, energy, food, etc.) can also be discussed. Raising awareness of consumption can also sharpen the idea of mindfulness parallel to the idea of sustainability.

Getting to know yourself better through mindfulness exercises

Practicing mindfulness with children is a wonderful way to help them get to know themselves better, understand their emotions, and better cope with challenges in life. The regular practice of simple mindfulness exercises can not only promote the well-being of children, but also deepen the relationship with parents and fellow human beings.

The Slow Travel idea and mindfulness exercises with children fit together perfectly, as both approaches aim at deceleration, conscious experience and stronger connections.

Our Slow Travel Resort Kirchleitn offers the ideal environment to practice mindfulness with the whole family

Book your vacation apartment in Bad Kleinkirchheim now and enjoy the quiet atmosphere of the Biosphere Park Nockberge.

Here you and your children can consciously concentrate on the essentials in family life and recharge your batteries.

FAQ’s about awakening mindfulness in children

Teaching children mindfulness is best achieved through short, playful exercises. These include conscious breathing, observing the environment, or small relaxation exercises. In this way, children learn to stay in the moment, perceive their feelings and react more calmly to stressful situations. Regular practice strengthens serenity and concentration.

Joy in learning arises when children are allowed to discover new things in a playful way. Small successes, varied tasks and positive feedback motivate. Parents can combine learning content with movement, nature experiences or creative methods so that children remain curious and develop a love of learning.

The seven basic attitudes of mindfulness are: non-judgment, patience, beginner’s mind, trust, non-forcing, letting go and gratitude. They help children to perceive themselves and their environment more consciously, to better regulate stress and to shape relationships more mindfully.

You can start with short daily exercises, e.g. a few minutes of conscious breathing, quiet sitting or small nature observations. It is important that the children participate voluntarily and that the exercises are age-appropriate. Short units promote attention and joy in mindfulness.

Self-regulation is strengthened through mindfulness, fixed rituals and short breaks in which children learn to recognize and control feelings. Practical exercises such as breathing techniques, conscious perception or mindful walking help to control impulses and become more balanced internally.

Mindfulness promotes concentration, emotional intelligence and social skills. Children learn to perceive their feelings, reduce stress and deal with others more empathically. Regular exercises strengthen self-confidence, promote calm in everyday life and support the development of positive habits.

Exercises can be easily integrated into everyday situations, e.g. when getting dressed, eating or hiking. Children are guided to pause briefly, breathe or consciously use their senses. In this way, mindfulness on vacation is practiced playfully without any additional time expenditure.

Mindfulness can be promoted in any season! In the winter vacation during quiet walks in the snow, in spring when consciously experiencing the awakening nature, in the summer vacation during family hikes in the mountains or while playing in the water and in the autumn vacation while collecting colorful leaves and cozy moments indoors.

Achtsamkeit bei Kindern wecken beim Spielen am Wasserspielplatz in Kirchleitn