Self-Compassion Course for Children and Caregivers 5- 11 Years

kids mindful self compassion courses

Who is this program designed for?

This program includes elements of the adult Mindful Self-Compassion program by Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer tailored by Jamie-Lynn Tatera for children and caregivers. The program is best for groups of children ages 7-11 and their parent(s) or guardian(s).

However, it may be adapted for children as young as pre-school, tailored for older tweens, can be taught with groups of children only, and even individually with one caregiver-child pair.

What are the main goals of this program?

The main goals of the program are to help you, children and caregivers alike, to:

“Even when I_________ (mess up, don’t measure up, get ‘in trouble’, feel alone, feel sad, feel worried, feel left out, can’t sit still, don’t move fast enough, am forgetful, wait until the last minute, take too long, forget to be kind, lose my cool, don’t meet my own or other’s expectations of me, etc.)…. I am human, I belong, and I deserve kindness.”

Additionally, children and caregivers will learn to increase present moment awareness, open to goodness, be self-responsive, and cultivate good will toward themselves and others.

How is the program structured?

This program has 6 one-hour sessions. Each session will have a combination of movement, group discussions, discussion between caregiver and child, and exercises.

What is my role as the parent/caregiver in the program?

The best way to support your child in this program is to be a co-learner and come with an open mind. The material we discuss in the course is applicable to humans of any age.

What if my child doesn’t want to come?

This is normal! Many children start the program with a variety of challenging feelings about the course including boredom and anxiety.
If this happens for your child, you might…

What if my child gets distracted or has trouble sitting still/with online programs?

This is normal! Many children have this difficulty. If this happens for your child, you might…

 Need to stretch? Need a drink? Need a snack? Please do!

Is there homework?

There is not traditional written “homework” for this program. But, many ‘practices’ learned in class can be used in everyday life, and let’s be honest, life gives us many opportunities to practice compassion!

When possible, model the material for your child by talking out loud often about your experiences with self-compassion. Talk about the difficult time you had, how you felt, and what you did or said to yourself. This is one of the most powerful ways to facilitate your child’s learning.

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