At each developmental stage mindfulness can be a useful tool for helping children and students to experience personal alertness. Being fully present, taking a breath, and not beholden to reactive thoughts and feelings requires careful attention to thoughts, feelings, and environment. These activities can be conducted daily building attention, calmness and perspective.

It is important to acknowledge the difference and connectedness of mindfulness and meditation. Mindfulness can be practised anytime, anywhere, and with anyone by showing up and being fully engaged in the here and now. Meditation is usually practised for a specific amount of time. Mindfulness supports and enriches meditation, while meditation nurtures and expands mindfulness.

Almost any activity you can think of can be done mindfully … or not. Playing a musical instrument, driving in a car, cooking or walking can all be mindful experiences if they are given focused, curious attention.

There are many downloadable mindfulness colouring templates on the internet and images can be chosen to meet the interests of groups or individuals. When colouring find a quiet, calm place to sit. Encourage children and students to focus on how they choose and apply colour in a design to bring awareness to the present moment. Colouring in a manner that consciously develops openness, curiosity, and flexibly focused attention is the most productive.