Activity of the Month!

Each month I will post an activity that can be helpful in working with children/youth who have a family member with a mental illness!  Some of the activities will involve art...

Some will involve mindfulness....

This month's activity will be about mindfulness and it has a simple title, but can be a powerful everyday tool in helping children/youth understand the concepts of mindfulness practice.  It is called the Rock Activity.  It involves engaging the child/youth in a discussion about their understanding of mindfulness and explaining it in a way they can understand.  In brief mindfulness can be explained as being present in the moment, not focusing on the past or future, and being aware of our our body, feelings and environment.  After a discussion on mindfulness has taken place the child/youth is invited to choose a rock they will keep from the selection available...

Then the discussion of how and when they can use the rock begins.  This discussion can be started by talking about holding the rock when needed and being aware of its texture.  Keeping it close by in a pocket or backpack can be helpful. 

Explaining deep breathing also referred to as belly breathing can be helpful to do at the same time.  Then we talk about situations the rock can be used in such as when we are thinking a lot about the past or future, before bed, at school when we are having trouble concentrating, before a test, and when we are really angry by squeezing the rock.  Children/youth have found it helpful to know how the rock has worked for others.  Then the child/youth is invited to try the rock over the next week when they feel they need it and bring their experiences to next week's session.  

Check back for future resource postings and the activity of the month!