Attitude is everything

Attitude, gratitude, and a positive mindset are important qualities to instill in children in order to help them shift their perspective. How we perceive the world, and how we teach children to perceive the world, matters!

We all know the comparison of viewing the glass jar as empty or full. The way children view their glass will affect how they solve problems or deal with difficult situations. Teaching children that their attitude plays an important role in the challenges they face will equip them to deal with life. One of the best ways we can show children a positive attitude is to be exemplars in our own lives. When children see adults that remain positive in hard situations, or look on the bright side of an adverse situation, children will innately begin to adopt similar perspectives.

As parents and educators, we want to give children the tools they need to tackle new experiences. Negative thoughts can creep into their mind if they are not given the tools they need to succeed.

Below are some tools and resources that we like to use in our Yogi Beans experiences to help children cultivate the concept of attitude: 

• Rose + Thorn: The objective of this game is to turn a negative into a positive. You start by asking the child what the “thorn” of their day was. The thorn is something that happened during the day that was upsetting. Then, ask the child if they can turn their thorn into a Rose. This game is particularly helpful in helping children to analyze and reflect upon situations that arise and “troubleshoot” ways to solve them.

• Affirmations: One way we incorporate positive attitude and perspective is by repeating mantra. In yoga, SA-TA-NA-MA is a Sanskrit mantra to reaffirm our true identity. A variation on SA-TA-NA-MA is to create a basic four syllable mantra such as “I-AM-VERY-HAPPY” or “I-AM-VERY-STRONG.” While reciting this mantra, say each word while tap your fingers, one at a time to the thumb, as you speak. This helps children affirm and internalize a positive perspective, calm the mind, and reset the nervous system.

• Be Your Own Cheerleader: Each child writes his or her name vertically on a piece of paper. Next to each letter of their name, children write a positive attribute or something that makes them feel good about themselves. For example, “L: loves kids,” “A: altruistic,” “U: unique,” “R: real,” “E: enthusiastic,” “N: nature lover,” etc. This game promotes self-esteem and self-worth. For older kids, ask them to write a whole sentence that describes who they are at their core and what makes them special (a kid-friendly introduction of the concept of the Self). Alternatively, you can use this activity with words such as GRATITUDE and POSITIVE. For each letter, try discussing qualities in people who are grateful and positive.

While we cannot protect children from disappointment and failure, we can equip them to approach situations with different perspectives. These tools will give children the power to change their attitude, draw-in gratitude, and maintain a positive outlook. 

Below are books about fostering a healthy positive attitude for children.

• Grumpy Monkey

• The Sour Grape 

• Moody Cow Meditates 

Transitions and learning from nature

Transitions make up the bulk of our lives. We are constantly in a state of transition, whether the changes are big or small, transitions and their processes can teach us all so much.

In yoga, spring is a time of renewal and letting go of the old to make room for the new. Seasonal changes can often feel unsettling as we shed the heaviness of winter and embrace the lightness of spring. Everything in life is a cycle: lifecycles, job cycles, motherhood cycles, relationship cycles, etc.. The spring equinox brings a return of balance to the places in our life that have felt uneasy and stuck. It is a time when we can examine our own life to seek balance, or understand where we feel out-of-balance.

Children deal with change and transformation differently than adults. Children thrive off of structure, stability and routine. Experiences including divorce, relocations, changing schools, or welcoming a new sibling, can all be scary transitions. Even the transition from back to school after vacation, or moving up to a new grade, can be difficult. Children experiencing transitions need support in honoring and understanding their feelings, to help them adjust to new situations and circumstances.

Here are some tips that that we have found helpful for children who are navigating change:

1. Keep routines consistent. Whether they are on break from school, shifting houses from one parent to the next, or welcoming a new sibling, it is important for kids to feel like their world hasn’t been completely turned upside down. Small routines make a big impact such as brushing your teeth before bed, setting your clothes out the night before, or making your bed in the morning. These are the types of routines that can remain constant day-to-day and don’t cause major disruptions.

2. Discuss change with your child. Talk about the change and let your child take ownership of their experience. What did they learn from the change? What do they need to make the transition easier? Ask them to draw a picture of how the change or experience makes them feel, and discuss what they drew and why.

3. Give children choices. We are big believers that children benefit when they have the power to choose. When children are in transition, giving them sense of agency over their life will help them to feel like they are in control. Choosing a new backpack, their lunch, or even the color of their bedroom will help a child to feel involved in the transition and not a stranger from it.

4. Use nature as a teacher and guide. Nature is a constant reminder that change in life is inevitable. Try different activities that help you and your family feel grounded while in the midst of change.  After dinner and before bed, go on a moon walk and discuss how the moon phases shift and change little by little each night. Take care of a plant and journal its growth and transformation, or take a drive to a local beach, pond, or water source and discuss how just like water, we are fluid and continuously change.

We hope these ideas provide you with ways to guide children in how to navigate transitions, and help them adjust to new situations and circumstances.

Interview: transition and change

They say March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.  As it straddles the winter/spring season, this month is filled with transition and change.

I spoke with Jacalyn Warshauer whom I met back in 2012 when she taught for Yogi Beans.  Since that time, Jacalyn and I both became mothers to our own Beans. Jacalyn opened up Wild Type Learning, a therapeutic learning experience for children and families to actively awaken their senses, strengthen the mind, body & heart connection and tune into the wisdom of nature.  Enjoy our conversation!

Jacalyn has found her inspiration to create Wild Type Learning from a passion to support young children and families; her love and connection to our natural world; the awareness to the importance of fostering a strong connection to mind, body, and heart; and a growing understanding of the true needs of the “whole-child” through the relationship with her two sons.

Learn more at wildtypeacres.com

Find Sonjoria on Instagram @wildtypelearning