Having the ability to focus, relax and concentrate is key to enabling children and young people to achieve emotional well-being, and is also important for a child's development of skills and abilities. This book uses a model of 'mindfulness play' to help children to achieve well-being, an approach designed by the author which encourages children to build awareness of their inner and outer worlds. Part One covers the theoretical and practical background, setting out how to facilitate play using the mindfulness play model, including consideration of the emotional environment. Part Two includes a wealth of games and activities, from 'Body focus' and 'Fidget flop' to 'Musical drawings' and 'Pass a smile'. The activities are suitable for use with groups and individual children aged 5–12, and can be adapted for children with specific attention and concentration difficulties, such as ADHD, and for older children. This is an ideal resource for teachers, counsellors, social workers, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, youth workers, parents, and carers. Reviews: 'This is a hugely important book for our times, demonstrating the interplay between mindfulness, attention, wellbeing and compassion. Its balance of theory and wisdom with practical activities makes it essential reading for parents, educators and policy-makers.'
– Elizabeth Holmes, writer, journalist, professional development trainer and author of The Newly Qualified Teacher's Handbook
'Let's Play! This book provides an extensive repertoire of mindful games chosen to enhance focusing, calming, self-reflection and social interaction. It also offers a useful discussion regarding the benefits of playing games, and easy to follow suggestions for adapting games to enhance mindfulness, and social-emotional competency. It is a wonderful addition to any mindful library.'
– Dr Amy Saltzman, Director of the Association for Mindfulness in Education (AME) and founder of The Still Quiet Place
Contents: Acknowledgements. Part 1. Theoretical and Practical Background. 1. Introduction: Meeting children with mindfulness. 2. Understanding attention and concentration. 3. Mindfulness Play. 4. Structuring the emotional environment for Mindfulness Play. 5. Mindfulness play and well-being. 6. Control, adaptability and effectiveness. Bibliography. References. Part 2. Games and Activities. 7. Choosing groups, leaders, pairs and order of play. 8. Warm-ups and ice-breakers. 9. Focusing attention. 10. Concentrating for longer periods. 11. Self-calming. 12. Celebrating. About the Authors: Deborah M. Plummer has over 20 yearsâ?? experience of facilitating groups and working individually with both children and adults. Formerly a clinical lead therapist working within the NHS, she also has extensive experience as a senior lecturer in aspects of health psychology and counselling. She regularly runs workshops and short courses on the uses of imagery, games and story-telling in the promotion of well-being. Deborahâ??s website can be found at www.deborahplummer.co.uk. |
