5 online tools to help mind your children’s mental health during lockdown

This is a stressful time, especially for kids but here are five online mindfulness tools to help them feel better over the coming days

These days are difficult for all of us. There is stress and there is uncertainty – a mix none of us want. And it’s hard on kids too.

Their entire routine has been upended and changed, and it can have quite an effect on their little brains.

However, a myriad of online tools and services are available that will help your kids (and you) to feel a little better during the coming weeks.

From meditation to yoga, here are some useful resources to mind the kids and help them feel a little better.

Kids Mindfulness Class

Hey guys, many of you saying the young folk in your life are getting quite anxious during this time. I decided to host mindfulness/breath work on @instagram live 5pm Mon, wed and Friday for them. Follow : https://t.co/pX7K5xKumm for details. Will save videos on Facebook too. pic.twitter.com/QuOJfmbJuQ

— Niall Breslin (@nbrez) March 29, 2020

Musician and mental health advocate Niall Breslin (aka Bressie) is hosting a mindfulness and breath-work session on Instagram Live especially for kids on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 5 pm. He hasn’t forgotten about the adults though, with a session taking place at 9 pm on those nights for the big kids.

The Irish Hospice Foundation

The Irish Hospice Foundation and The Irish Childhood Bereavement Network have created a resource to help children grieve during the Covid-19 restrictions. Unfortunately, many children may experience the death of a loved one over the coming weeks, whether that is because of the virus or not. While parents may want to protect their children, the organisation advises that we should be providing honest and age-appropriate information. The full resource is available here.

Headspace

This mediation app (which is currently free) is one of the most popular among adults but it also has a child-friendly equivalent. Headspace for Kids is split into five themes and these are: calm, focus, kindness, sleep and wake up. Children will learn breathing exercises, visualisations and different styles of meditation. The sessions are also customised for three age groups: five and under, 6-8 and 9-12. Download the app now or try it here.

Cosmic Kids Yoga

Cosmic Kids Yoga is a YouTube channel specifically catering to children aged three and up. There is a range of yoga, mindfulness and relaxation techniques taught in such a way to keep kids engaged and entertained.

New Horizon

New Horizon provides guided meditation for both children and adults on an app and on YouTube. It is particularly useful for children who are struggling to fall asleep during these trying times with a wide range of sleep meditation sessions. Find out more here.

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