Mindfulness for Children

You will learn how to share mindfulness with children in ways that suit their age, their stage of development and the setting you meet them in. By the end of the course, you will be able to:

• Explain what mindfulness means for a child, and talk honestly about what the research does and does not show.
• Understand how attention, self-control and the stress response develop through childhood, and explain the brain to children in simple, accurate words.
• Adapt practices for under fives, five to eight year olds and nine to twelve year olds.
• Use your own calm presence to help children settle, and guide practices with invitational, choice-giving language.
• Draw on a rich library of child-sized practices for breath, body, senses, feelings, thoughts, kindness, imagination, food, nature and sleep.
• Keep practice inclusive and safe for neurodivergent children and children who have lived through difficult experiences.
• Recognise signs that a child needs more than mindfulness, and know who to refer to.
• Weave short mindful moments into everyday routines, create a calm space and build your own practice toolkit.

How Is the Course Structured?

The course is studied online at your own pace and is made up of ten modules. Each module moves through three lessons rich in stories, practices and reflective activities, with diagrams and tables where they help.

Every module also includes a Test Your Knowledge section with three exercises, journal prompts for reflection, a glossary of key terms and a Key Learning Points Exercise. Each module ends with an assessment of ten multiple choice questions and a short written reflection on your key learning points.

The first four modules lay the foundations, the middle modules build your library of practices, and the final two focus on inclusive, safe practice and on weaving mindfulness into a child’s day.

This course is for anyone who would like to understand mindfulness for children in real depth and share it in gentle, enjoyable and safe ways. No previous experience of mindfulness is needed.

It suits parents, grandparents, foster carers and other family members, as well as teachers, teaching assistants, nursery practitioners, childminders, sports coaches, youth workers and club leaders. Examples are drawn from homes, classrooms, nurseries, football pitches, libraries and holiday clubs, so you can take what fits your own setting.

This CPD-accredited course is part of a lifelong journey of personal and professional development. It builds knowledge, understanding and practical ideas, but it is not a teaching award or a licence to practise. If you hope to offer mindfulness sessions to children professionally, you will also need practical experience, ideally with a mentor, the right background checks and safeguarding training for your setting, and professional indemnity insurance.

As with all online studies, we recommend gaining practical hands-on experience where possible to enhance your understanding and confidence. This course offers a comprehensive overview of mindfulness for children, and we encourage further reading, training, or mentorship for those wishing to apply these principles in a professional setting. Always work safely, ethically, and refer people to qualified healthcare or mental health professionals where appropriate. The contents of this course should never be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified healthcare professional.