Guest Blog: Mindfulness Experts Review of Stix Mindfulness

Guest Blog: Mindfulness Experts Review of Stix Mindfulness

At Stix, we love to collaborate with mindfulness experts to ensure our product makes a real difference in the lives of children and families. We're excited to introduce Sophie from Mindfulness for Learning, who recently trialled Stix in various settings. Sophie has years of experience guiding children through mindfulness practices, and we were eager to hear her thoughts on how Stix could support emotional regulation in young minds.

 

Sophie tested Stix with her two children at home, in her classroom with primary-aged students, and during 1:1 wellbeing tutoring sessions. Here’s what she had to say about the device and how it integrated into her daily routines.

 


 

How did you find Stix as a tool for emotional regulation at home with your children?

 

Sophie: "I used the Stix at home with my two children, aged 11 and 7. One of them is pressure-sensitive and experiences anxiety, so I was curious to see how it would work for him. The physical design of Stix was a big hit—it’s concrete and easy to hold, which makes it a great hands-on tool. The colours—soothing pastel blue and purple—are visually appealing, which helped my children feel comfortable using it."

 

At home, Sophie noticed how the children felt comfortable engaging with the Stix due to its hands-on, tactile design. The soothing colours and physical presence of the device allowed it to blend seamlessly into their daily routines, which was key for making mindfulness feel accessible and enjoyable.

 

Sophie: "My children loved the press-and-hold feature, which allowed them to quickly access random mindfulness practices. It was an easy way for them to engage with the device without too much effort. They also enjoyed the app, especially the monster characters that track their usage. Both features—press-and-hold and the app—complement each other nicely, and the children seemed to enjoy using both."

 

The press-and-hold feature made it easy for the children to use the device independently, which was particularly helpful for encouraging self-regulation. The integration with the app added an extra layer of fun, keeping the children engaged while also helping them track their progress.

 

 

 


 

What benefits did you see from using Stix at home?

 

Sophie: "One of the standout features is how the Stix visually signal mindfulness activity with its light-up feature. This was incredibly useful at home because it helped my children know when it was okay to engage with their mindfulness practice and when they needed to focus without being disturbed. It became part of our routine, and the children could use it independently, which was wonderful for encouraging them to manage their emotions on their own."

 

The light-up feature acted as a gentle visual cue, signalling when mindfulness activities were happening and creating a calm, focused environment at home. This aspect helped children understand when it was time to engage with the practice and when it was time for other activities.

 

Sophie: "The product’s design is simple and child-friendly, yet it brings mindfulness into the modern age by blending technology with physical interaction. I also appreciated that the Stix made mindfulness feel like a fun and engaging activity rather than something they had to do."

 

Sophie pointed out that the device strikes the perfect balance between being modern and accessible. It’s not just another task to tick off the list; Stix has become a fun and engaging tool for her children to use.

 

 

 


 

How did you integrate Stix into your classroom activities?

 

Sophie: "I took Stix into my classroom with my reception class, and the kids were absolutely fascinated by it. As soon as I pulled them out of our mindfulness bag, there was a wave of excitement. The children were eager to try it out, and they were genuinely curious about how it worked. Even the support staff were intrigued and asked where they could buy some for themselves!"

 

The excitement in the classroom was palpable as soon as Sophie introduced Stix. The children were instantly engaged, and even the adults around them were curious about the product. This highlights the universal appeal of Stix—it's something that grabs attention across age groups.

 

Sophie: "The first time we used the Stix, one child pressed the button to start a practice, and the rest of the class followed along. While we weren’t able to use the app in the classroom due to school policy on app downloads, the children still engaged fully with the light-up feature. After we finished, a few kids said that using Stix made them feel 'excited, calm, and happy.'"

 

Even though the app wasn't used in the classroom due to school policies, the children still found immense value in the interactive features of Stix. The light-up responses were enough to engage the children and make mindfulness a fun and meaningful experience.

 

 


 

What was your impression of Stix for classroom use?

 

Sophie: "From a teacher’s perspective, I think Stix would make a fantastic addition to any classroom’s Calm Corner. It’s a simple, tangible tool that gives children a concrete way to practice self-regulation. Initially, a little modelling might be needed to ensure the kids understand how to use it properly and share it. But once the excitement settled, I believe Stix would become a valuable part of the classroom’s mindfulness toolkit. It’s a great way to reinforce emotional regulation strategies without making it feel like a task."

 

Stix seamlessly integrates into classroom settings and provides children with a concrete, interactive tool to help manage their emotions. Once the children understand how to use it, Sophie believes it would be an invaluable part of their mindfulness practice, especially in designated Calm Corners.

 


 

How did you use Stix in your 1:1 wellbeing tutoring sessions?

 

Sophie: "In our 1:1 wellbeing tutoring sessions, Stix proved to be a wonderful tool. I work with children who are in the 6-8 age range, and often they’re in that tricky spot where they may feel too old for a mindfulness puppet but too young for a full guided meditation. Stix was a perfect fit for this age group."

 

The versatility of Stix made it a great fit for the age group Sophie works with. The device was engaging without being overwhelming, and it helped bridge the gap between simpler mindfulness tools and more complex practices.

 

Sophie: "The variety of mindfulness practices and the interactive light-up feature made it feel special and engaging for the children. It was an excellent way to wrap up our sessions, and the children were always excited to use it."

 

The combination of interactive practices and the engaging light-up feature allowed the children to stay excited about mindfulness. Wrapping up sessions with Stix gave them a positive, memorable conclusion to their learning.

 


 

What are your overall thoughts on Stix?

 

Sophie: "Overall, Stix has been an incredible addition to our mindfulness toolbox. It’s an innovative and fun way for children to practice emotional regulation. Whether at home, in the classroom, or in tutoring sessions, it offers a concrete and interactive approach to mindfulness that engages children in a way that feels both exciting and meaningful. I think it’s a tool that will continue to benefit children as they learn to manage their emotions and navigate their inner worlds."

 

If you're looking for an engaging mindfulness tool that is easy to integrate into daily routines, I would highly recommend giving Stix a try!

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