The Importance of Intentionally Practicing Mindfulness at an Early Age

In this fast-paced digital era, where constant external stimulation has become the norm, it is essential to recognize the value of intentionally practicing mindfulness, particularly for children. But first let’s look at some of the studies and recorded effects of constant external stimulation.

The Dangers of Constant External Stimulation:

1. Impaired Attention and Focus:

Numerous studies have indicated a link between excessive external stimulation, such as extended screen time, and impaired attention span, especially among children. A study published in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics (2010) found that excessive television exposure during early childhood was associated with attentional problems in later years (Zimmerman et al., 2010).

Read more about this topic in my post on

2. Increased Stress and Anxiety:

Research has consistently shown that excessive exposure to external stimuli can contribute to heightened levels of stress and anxiety in both children and adults. A study conducted by the American Psychological Association (APA) revealed that a constant barrage of stimuli, particularly from screens, leads to higher stress levels and negatively impacts mental health (Hamblin, 2016). To read more about how smart phones are impacting our mental health, click here.

3. Reduced Creativity and Imagination:
The constant presence of external stimulation can hamper the development of creative thinking and imagination in children. A study published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology (2012) found that exposure to various media formats, such as television, video games, and mobile devices, was inversely associated with creative problem-solving skills (Hershfield et al., 2012). For more details on how reduced creativity and imagination affects quality of life, read my post on

While most of us cannot completely shield our children from a bombardment of external stimuli, we can definitely converse with them about the importance of making time to look within and intentionally developing a mindfulness practice.

The Benefits of Mindfulness for Children:

1. Improved Emotional Regulation:

Practicing mindfulness empowers children to recognize and manage their emotions effectively. A study published in the Journal of Child and Family Studies (2016) demonstrated that mindfulness-based interventions for children were linked to enhanced emotional regulation skills and reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression (Kallapiran et al., 2016).

2. Enhanced Cognitive Abilities:

Mindfulness practice has been found to enhance cognitive abilities, such as attention, memory, and decision-making, in children. A study conducted by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) found that mindfulness training helped improve attention and working memory among elementary school children (Felver et al., 2013).

3. Reduced Stress and Anxiety:

Mindfulness practice has been consistently shown to reduce stress levels and anxiety among children. A review published in the Journal of Child and Family Studies (2017) confirmed the positive effects of mindfulness interventions on stress reduction, specifically for youth populations (Burke, 2017).

While this post focuses on children it is a well known fact that children emulate parents. So if you are looking to raise mindful children I wish you all the luck on becoming a mindful adult. If you’d like playful ideas for mindfulness activities for toddlers, Click Here.

References:
– Burke, C. A. (2017). Mindfulness-Based Approaches with Children and Adolescents: A Preliminary Review of Current Research in an Emergent Field. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 26(4), 1-15.
– Felver, J. C., Celis-de Hoyos, C. E., Tezanos, K., & Singh, N. N. (2013). A systematic review of mindfulness-based interventions for youth in school settings. Mindfulness, 4(3), 209-227.
– Hershfield, H. E., Shiv, B., & Carmon, Z. (2012). Boundary conditions for the false-name–letter effect: Reply to Sporer (2012). Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 49(5), 995-997.
– Kallapiran, K., Koo, S., Kirubakaran, R., & Hancock, K. (2016). Review: Effectiveness of mindfulness in improving mental health symptoms of children and adolescents: A meta-analysis. Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 21(4), 379-392.
– Hamblin, J. (2016, December 8). Constantly Distracted? This Might Be the Solution. The Atlantic. Retrieved from https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2016/12/keep-your-distracted-kids-off-their-phones-by-giving-them-another-phone/509525/
– Zimmerman, F. J., Christakis, D. A., & Meltzoff, A. N. (2010). Associations between media viewing and language development in children under age 2 years. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 31(3), 218-225.
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