Toys & Mindfulness: Teaching Kids to Slow Down

Intro:
We live in a world that moves fast — but kids need moments to slow down and reconnect with themselves. Frontiers in Psychology (Brown & Ryan, 2021) shows that mindful play helps reduce stress, strengthen emotional regulation, and boost focus.

Body:
✔️ What is Mindful Play?
Mindful play means encouraging your child to be fully present: touching, smelling, and noticing textures and details. Sensory bins, building blocks, or even simple nature walks can be mindful experiences.

✔️ Parent-Child Connection
Research in Mindfulness (Burgdorf et al., 2021) found that parents who model mindful behaviors during play help kids develop better self-control.

✔️ Practical Tips
Try a ‘slow play’ time: turn off screens, put on calming music, and build together at a gentle pace.

Closing:
Mindfulness isn’t just for grown-ups — it starts with a quiet moment and a toy in little hands.