Follow Your Breath!: A First Book of Mindfulness (Exploring Our Community)
Exploring Our Community Series
What’s inside...
Friends Yulee, Nick, Martin, and Sally are at Pedro's house for a sleepover. Pedro is moving soon and feels sad about leaving his old house and worried about his new one. To help him, his mom teaches the children about mindfulness, which involves being aware of the present moment. Through practicing mindfulness, Pedro learns various ways to manage the stress of his move. This book is part of the Exploring Our Community series, providing a child-friendly introduction to mindfulness, including fun activities and factual information reviewed by a mindfulness expert.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How does taking deep breaths make you feel when you're upset or excited?
Can you think of a time when you felt really calm? What helped you feel that way?
What are some things you like to do that help you feel more connected to the people around you?
Why do you think it's important to pay attention to how you breathe?
How can mindfulness help us at school or when we’re playing with friends?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before starting the discussion, engage in a short breathing exercise together to set a calm mood.
Validate your child's feelings and experiences as they respond to questions, showing that their thoughts and emotions are important.
Use examples from the book to connect questions to the child's everyday life—such as how characters in the story use mindfulness in different situations.
Encourage your child to ask their questions about mindfulness and explore the answers together, fostering a two-way conversation.
Highlight how mindfulness can be a fun activity that they can practice anytime and anywhere.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Mindfulness and Awareness
Explanation: The narrative guides children through various scenarios where mindfulness is practiced, such as noticing bodily sensations and the surrounding environment.
Real-World Application: Children can apply these techniques to become more present during everyday activities, helping them manage their emotions and reactions in a calm manner.
Example Lesson: The Importance of Breathing
Explanation: The book highlights breathing exercises to help children understand how their breath affects their feelings and thoughts.
Real-World Application: Kids can use breathing techniques taught in the book to cope with stressful situations or to calm themselves before a task that requires focus.
Example Lesson: Connection with Nature
Explanation: Scot Ritchie incorporates elements of nature in the illustrations and text, teaching kids to observe and appreciate their natural surroundings through mindfulness.
Real-World Application: Children learn to take moments to connect with nature, whether during a walk in the park or by simply observing weather changes, fostering a lifelong appreciation for the environment.
Example Lesson: Focus and Concentration
Explanation: Through mindfulness exercises, the book teaches children how to focus their attention on one thing at a time, enhancing their concentration skills.
Real-World Application: This practice can be beneficial in academic settings or while completing tasks that require sustained attention, improving overall learning abilities.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: The book encourages children to be mindful of their emotions and those of others, promoting empathy.
Real-World Application: By recognizing and respecting the feelings of others in everyday interactions, children can build stronger, more understanding relationships with peers and adults.