kids mindfulness

Astronauts know how to handle isolation: Tips from NASA astronauts (Space.com)

Astronauts know how to handle isolation: Tips from NASA astronauts (Space.com)

NASA astronauts know a thing or two about isolation, and kids will benefit from understanding how much time, thought and preparation goes into this activity alone. From preparing in advance for new pressures on interpersonal relationships and working to strengthen communication and awareness (especially when school and programs are postponed, placing parents, caregivers and kids in MUCH more regular contact), to the power of staying positive in our newly confined environments (TIP - focus on others and help kids think about a way to have "a higher purpose"), devising robust mental strategies in advance can help lessen anxiety and stress while bolstering self-regulation at every age.

Re-meet Jeff Warren - One of Kidevolve's magical creators!

Re-meet Jeff Warren - One of Kidevolve's magical creators!

One of the reasons kids dig our Creative Mind Journeys is that our creators come from all walks of life and bring their own passions, interests and styles to delivering life stories that double as guided practices. We want kids to have variety, spice, fun and creative freedom as they learn key self-regulation techniques. Point in case? Jeff Warren. Go to Kidevolve’s Imaginarium Podcast on Apple to check out three awesome CMJs created by Jeff - Can of Delight, Space Suit and Calmland!

Parenting Expert Barbara Coloroso - The Kids Are Worth It (The Knowledge Project podcast)

Parenting Expert Barbara Coloroso - The Kids Are Worth It (The Knowledge Project podcast)

Want to hear an exceptional podcast on how to raise great kids?

Barbara Coloroso is an internationally recognized speaker and author in the areas of parenting, teaching, school discipline, nonviolent conflict resolution, reconciliatory justice, and grieving. Her bestselling books include kids are worth it! , Parenting through Crisis, and The Bully, the Bullied, and the Bystander. 

Check out this Knowledge Project podcast - one of the best we’ve heard on parenting in some time. Here, Shane Parrish interviews Barbara as she shares her foundational principles of child-rearing, how to get kids to be accountable for their actions, and what we can do as parents to raise confident, happy children.

Some of our favourite Barbara Coloroso quotes:

  • I came up with three basic tenets. One, kids are worth it. I believe they're worth our time, energy and resources to help them become all they can become. Second, I won't treat them in a way I, myself, would not want to be treated. And third, it must leave my dignity and the child's dignity intact.

  • Praise-dependent, reward-dependent children make wonderful henchmen for bullies. They will do the bully's bidding because they want whatever reward that bully is dangling in front of them.

  • If you make a mistake, it's a very simple formula. Simple doesn't make it easy. With a mistake, you own it, you fix it, you learn from it and you move on.

  • Deep caring is not liking somebody. I tell kids, “You do not have to like every kid in this classroom, but you must honor their humanity.” Deep caring is a must to relieve somebody else's suffering, and wishing them well, which by the way, is the antithesis of mean and cruel.

Groundbreaking study examines effects of screen time on kids (60 Minutes - CBS News)

Groundbreaking study examines effects of screen time on kids (60 Minutes - CBS News)

We’ve long suspected that regular iPad use and today’s multidimensional video games might have negative impacts on kids, especially when they’re young. Now we know this to be true and we cannot ignore it. Vastly differentiated from the passive television watching of the not-so-distant past, today’s tech is DESIGNED to get kids addicted, keep them needing more and leaving them feeling isolated and depressed. If there was ever a time to reduce screen time in your household, it’s now. The data is in. As a more healthy alternative, try giving kids new exposures like Kidevolve’s Creative Mind Journeys (our wildly silly, super fun mindfulness audio tracks), or Tinkercast’s Wow in the World podcasts (delivering science though amazing, compelling audio journeys). In both cases, kids can still use tech as the delivery platform… but now, wee imaginations are truly encouraged to expand, problem solve, test and unfurl! Watch the change in positive behaviour (and inner joy) after only a few audio exposures, and ask kids how they feel by contrast. Their answers might surprise you, Thank you 60 Minutes and Anderson Cooper for such excellent, valuable reporting!

10 year old Kidevolve kid-tester Connor interviews mindfulness creator Jeff Warren!

10 year old Kidevolve kid-tester Connor interviews mindfulness creator Jeff Warren!

Ever wondered what it takes to create one of Kidevolve’s fantastically engaging Creative Mind Journeys? 10 year old Connor Chase interviews our lead creator Jeff Warren about his creative process, his favourite CMJ characters, why he thinks learning mindfulness is super helpful for kids of all ages, and generally, what makes him tick. Jeff gives Connor a run for his money and does not let him dominate the interview - some tall order! - skillfully flipping the energy around so that Connor must also share what makes learning mindfulness in Kidevolve’s unique format so special to him. Connor obliges while also managing to keep free-spirited Jeff right on schedule. What results in an enjoyable exchange between two perceptive, nimble friends: the interviewee - a grownup who has never lost touch with his awesome inner kid, and the interviewer - a kid who has always operated as an inner grownup.

How Kermit Taught Us About Self-Compassion and Friendship

How Kermit Taught Us About Self-Compassion and Friendship

The science on self-compassion is clear - it is more important to teach our kids how to self-sooth and cut themselves a break when they fail to meet their own expectations or that of the outside world, than almost anything else. Give your kids a gander at Kermit & Don Music in this classic Sesame Street skit from yesteryear. Is Don Music being waaaaaaay too hard on himself? What kinds of things is he saying about himself that are actually getting in the way of writing the hit song he desires? And what does Kermit do to help him be his own Bestie?

How to Teach Your Kids about Their Inner Critic (Mindful.org)

How to Teach Your Kids about Their Inner Critic (Mindful.org)

Have you ever heard your child say something like: “I’m not good at this” or “It’s all my fault” or “I shouldn’t have even tried.” Sometimes kids don’t say these things out loud, but they refrain from doing certain activities or speaking up because they’ve decided they’re just not good enough. Help your child make sense of their inner critic, give a name to it, and then take some easy-to-implement steps to combat and reverse downward spiralling, negative self-talk…