Teaching Mindfulness Skills to Kids and Teens

Packed with creative, effective ideas for bringing mindfulness into the classroom, child therapy office, or community, this book features sample lesson plans and scripts, case studies, vignettes, and more. Leading experts describe how to harness the unique benefits of present-focused awareness for preschoolers, school-age kids, and teens, including at-risk youth and those with special needs. Strategies for overcoming common obstacles and engaging kids with different learning styles are explored. Chapters also share ways to incorporate mindfulness into a broad range of children's activities, such as movement, sports, music, games, writing, and art. Giving clinicians and educators practices they can use immediately, the book includes clear explanations of relevant research findings.

“"Being aware of life as it unfolds brings clarity, connection, and creativity into everyday experiences. This magnificent collection of pearls of wisdom and practical advice is an important resource for any educator or clinician who supports the development of children and teens. The experienced contributors offer unique perspectives on cultivating mindful awareness with a range of populations and age groups, offering a spectrum of accessible, useful strategies we can apply immediately. Soak in these pages and enjoy the benefits for all concerned!"--Daniel J. Siegel, MD, Department of Psychiatry, University of California, Los Angeles; Executive Director, Mindsight Institute "Willard and Saltzman have put together a rich tapestry of accessible, practical applications for bringing mindfulness to children and adolescents. What's unique about this book is the wide range of ways it offers to help young people build emotional intelligence and resilience, and to prepare them to thrive on their way to adulthood."--Elisha Goldstein, PhD, Co-Founder, Center for Mindful Living, Los Angeles "What a delight to have such a deep and broad reference to inform and advance the field of teaching mindfulness to youth! Willard and Saltzman have their fingers on the pulse of this rapidly growing field. Assembled mindfully, lovingly, and skillfully, this volume is written and edited by leading authorities. Take the time to delve in deeper after scanning the impressive table of contents, and you will find a richness of content and wisdom to inform and guide you in doing this important work."--Steven D. Hickman, PsyD, Executive Director, Center for Mindfulness, University of California, San Diego "I can't think of a book about working with youth that is more comprehensive, detailed, practical, and clear. The down-to-earth, broadly applicable approach outlined here will draw out children's and teens' boundless inner strength, creativity, resilience, and kindness. I hope every person who teaches or counsels our children reads this book."--Congressman Tim Ryan, author of A Mindful Nation "A remarkable synthesis of the mindfulness in education movement. Balancing research, theory, and practical guidance, this book is a 'must have' for anyone interested in integrating mindfulness into their work with youth. Instead of just telling kids to pay attention, be nice to each other, and regulate their emotions, this book shows how to support them experientially in cultivating these priceless qualities. The contributors offer deep insights into how to integrate mindfulness into diverse communities and how to teach all youth who could benefit, including those with special needs or addictions."--Daniel Rechtschaffen, MFT, author of The Way of Mindful Education "This book sparkles like a diamond--its many facets will dazzle the reader. Leading authors have contributed insightful chapters on the latest developments in mindfulness for children and youth. A 'must read.'"--Eline Snel, Director, International Academy for Mindful Teaching, The Netherlands "An invaluable resource for anyone interested in teaching contemplative practices to youth. The contributing authors beautifully and authentically illustrate how mindfulness can be taught to youth in many different settings. Today's youth can greatly benefit from engaging with mindfulness skills; this book offers excellent examples for how these practices fit into the lives of children and teens."--Joshua C. Felver, PhD, School Psychology Program, Department of Psychology, Syracuse University”

"Being aware of life as it unfolds brings clarity, connection, and creativity into everyday experiences. This magnificent collection of pearls of wisdom and practical advice is an important resource for any educator or clinician who supports the development of children and teens. The experienced contributors offer unique perspectives on cultivating mindful awareness with a range of populations and age groups, offering a spectrum of accessible, useful strategies we can apply immediately. Soak in these pages and enjoy the benefits for all concerned!"--Daniel J. Siegel, MD, Clinical Professor, UCLA School of Medicine; Executive Director, Mindsight Institute

"Willard and Saltzman have put together a rich tapestry of accessible, practical applications for bringing mindfulness to children and adolescents. What’s unique about this book is the wide range of ways it offers to help young people build emotional intelligence and resilience, and to prepare them to thrive on their way to adulthood."--Elisha Goldstein, PhD, Co-Founder, Center for Mindful Living, Los Angeles

"What a delight to have such a deep and broad reference to inform and advance the field of teaching mindfulness to youth! Willard and Saltzman have their fingers on the pulse of this rapidly growing field. Assembled mindfully, lovingly, and skillfully, this volume is written and edited by leading authorities. Take the time to delve in deeper after scanning the impressive table of contents, and you will find a richness of content and wisdom to inform and guide you in doing this important work."--Steven D. Hickman, PsyD, Executive Director, Center for Mindfulness, University of California, San Diego

"I can't think of a book about working with youth that is more comprehensive, detailed, practical, and clear. The down-to-earth, broadly applicable approach outlined here will draw out children's and teens' boundless inner strength, creativity, resilience, and kindness. I hope every person who teaches or counsels our children reads this book."--Congressman Tim Ryan, author of A Mindful Nation

"A remarkable synthesis of the mindfulness in education movement. Balancing research, theory, and practical guidance, this book is a 'must have' for anyone interested in integrating mindfulness into their work with youth. Instead of just telling kids to pay attention, be nice to each other, and regulate their emotions, this book shows how to support them experientially in cultivating these priceless qualities. The contributors offer deep insights into how to integrate mindfulness into diverse communities and how to teach all youth who could benefit, including those with special needs or addictions."--Daniel Rechtschaffen, MFT, author of The Way of Mindful Education

"This book sparkles like a diamond--its many facets will dazzle the reader. Leading authors have contributed insightful chapters on the latest developments in mindfulness for children and youth. A 'must read.'"--Eline Snel, Director, International Academy for Mindful Teaching, The Netherlands

"An invaluable resource for anyone interested in teaching contemplative practices to youth. The contributing authors beautifully and authentically illustrate how mindfulness can be taught to youth in many different settings. Today’s youth can greatly benefit from engaging with mindfulness skills; this book offers excellent examples for how these practices fit into the lives of children and teens."--Joshua C. Felver, PhD, ABPP, School Psychology Program, Department of Psychology, Syracuse University -

Christopher Willard, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist and educational consultant with a specialty in mindfulness. Based in Boston, he speaks on the topic of mindfulness and meditation with young people nationally and internationally, and teaches at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Willard is on the board of directors of the Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy and is President of the Mindfulness in Education Network. He has been practicing sitting meditation since 1999. He is coauthor of The Mindfulness Matters Program for Children and Adolescents: Strategies, Activities, and Techniques for Therapists and Teachers and coeditor of Teaching Mindfulness Skills to Kids and Teens, among other books. His website is
Amy Saltzman, MD, is a holistic physician and mindfulness coach whose passion is supporting people of all ages in enhancing their well-being and discovering the Still Quiet Place within. She is recognized by her peers as a visionary and pioneer in the fields of holistic medicine and mindfulness for youth, and her current work focuses on sharing mindfulness with school-age youth in socioeconomically diverse school and community settings. In collaboration with the Department of Psychology at Stanford University, she has conducted two research studies evaluating the benefits of teaching mindfulness to child–parent pairs and to children in low-income elementary schools. To support others in discovering the joy and peace of the Still Quiet Place, Dr. Saltzman has written the book A Still Quiet Place: A Mindfulness Program for Teaching Children and Adolescents to Ease Stress and Difficult Emotions and created two CDs, Still Quiet Place: Mindfulness for Young Children and Still Quiet Place: Mindfulness for Teens. Her website is .

Packed with creative, effective ideas for bringing mindfulness into the classroom, child therapy office, or community, this book features sample lesson plans and scripts, case studies, vignettes, and more. Leading experts describe how to harness the unique benefits of present-focused awareness for preschoolers, school-age kids, and teens, including at-risk youth and those with special needs. Strategies for overcoming common obstacles and engaging kids with different learning styles are explored. Chapters also share ways to incorporate mindfulness into a broad range of children's activities, such as movement, sports, music, games, writing, and art. Giving clinicians and educators practices they can use immediately, the book includes clear explanations of relevant research findings.

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