By Hollie Millergill (MA)
Wellbeing Officer – Charnwood Nursery & Pre-school Group
In the early years, a child’s emotional wellbeing is just as vital as their physical health and learning, as it plays a key role in their ability to learn and thrive. These formative years shape how children understand themselves, manage emotions, and relate to the world around them. At our setting, children’s wellbeing underpins everything we do, and our mindfulness curriculum helps equip children with the tools they need to support their emotional wellbeing.
What Is Mindfulness in the Early Years?
Mindfulness for young children is about helping them become aware of their feelings, thoughts, and bodies in a gentle and age-appropriate way. Through simple activities such as breathing exercises, calming stories, visualisation, yoga inspired movements, sensory play, and quiet reflection, children learn how to pause, notice, and regulate their emotions.
Our Mindfulness Curriculum is carefully designed to fit naturally into the children’s day, creating moments of calm, connection, and self-awareness without disrupting play and learning.
The Benefits of Mindfulness for Young Children
Introducing mindfulness in the early years provides children with valuable skills that support their emotional, social, and cognitive development. When practised in age-appropriate and playful ways, mindfulness becomes a powerful tool that helps children feel calm, confident, and regulated.
· Emotional regulation
Mindfulness helps children begin to recognise, understand, and name their feelings. Through simple activities such as breathing, body awareness, or reflective moments, children learn that emotions are natural and manageable. This supports them in coping with big feelings such as frustration, anxiety, or excitement, reducing emotional dysregulation and promote resilience in tricky situations.
· Improved focus and attention
Mindfulness activities encourage children to slow down and notice what is happening in the present moment. This strengthens their ability to concentrate, listen, and follow instructions. Over time, improved focus supports deeper engagement in play and learning.
· Confidence and resilience
When children feel listened to, understood, and supported, they develop a strong sense of self. Mindfulness builds self-awareness and encourages children to trust their own thoughts and feelings. This helps them develop confidence, resilience, and the ability to recover from setbacks, supporting emotional wellbeing as they grow.
· Positive relationships
Mindfulness promotes empathy, kindness, and respect for others. By learning to recognise their own emotions, children also become more aware of how others may be feeling. This supports turn-taking, cooperation, and positive communication, helping children build healthy, respectful relationships with both peers and adults.
· Calm and safe environments
A mindful approach contributes to a calm, predictable, and nurturing environment. When children feel safe and emotionally secure, they are more able to explore, take risks in their learning, and express themselves confidently. This sense of security allows children to thrive and supports their overall development and wellbeing.
Why Wellbeing in the Early Years Matters
A child’s emotional wellbeing lays the foundation for lifelong mental health. Research shows that children who feel safe, valued, and emotionally supported are more likely to thrive socially, academically, and emotionally as they grow.
In early years, children may not yet have the words to express how they feel. This makes it essential for practitioners to create environments where emotions are acknowledged and supported. By prioritising wellbeing, we help children develop the tools they need to cope with challenges, build resilience, and develop a positive sense of self.
