In our children’s intense little worlds, finding moments of calm can be tough. But what if we could weave mindfulness seamlessly into their day?

 

Today we'll dive into how Stix mindfulness can be built into their daily routine, from morning meditations that set a positive tone for the day, to calming after-school rituals to decompress and soothing bedtime practices that encourage restful sleep. As pocket-sized tools that travel with them to bite-sized activities perfectly tailored for short attention spans, Stix is designed to fit into busy routines.

 

We have designed Stix to be easily integrated into your child’s day, here’s how:

 

• Pocket size: they are easily transported, allowing for access to mindfulness activities anywhere and anytime.
  
  

• Activity duration: Children’s shorter attention span is a major obstacle in introducing them to mindfulness. We’ve designed Stix activities to be the ideal length for focus and to be fit into busy schedules for moments of peace.
  
  

• Screen free option: Stix activities can be played with or without our app. Before bed, you might not want your child to use a screen, or you might not have a screen available. You can control your child’s screen time with Stix.
  
  

• Emotional support: Designed to address certain feelings and emotions at different times. From hyperactivity and restlessness before or during school to anxiety before bed.

 

We know that all children have different needs and families face a diverse range of challenges, so we’ve covered different times of day where families can integrate Stix into their routines:

 

• Mornings
  
  
• Afternoons
  
  
• Evenings
  
  

Feel free to skip to the time of day you think Stix would be most beneficial for!

 

STIX MORNINGS

 

Why are mornings perfect for mindfulness?

 

Regardless of how you feel about mornings, the truth is, they set the tone for the day. Starting the day with morning meditation can help children shake off grogginess and establish a positive mindset, paving the way for a successful day. Incorporating mindfulness into their morning routine can become their anchor in a day filled with unpredictability, challenges and pressures. By building mindfulness habits early on, children can carry the benefits of the morning routine throughout their lives.

 

You can give your children the best start to the day by practicing mindfulness with Stix. Morning meditation with Stix can be done anywhere- whether in bed, at the breakfast table, on a plane or on the morning school run. They’re portable so you can have mindful mornings anywhere!

 

Engaging in Stix meditation in the morning helps to exercise their minds, laying a foundation that helps them manage their reactions to daily situations. Stix time can also replace time spent on screens, which often leads to anxiety. By slowing their heart rates and fostering calmness, Stix mindfulness creates a more peaceful start to the day.

 

A mental and physical stretch

 

Many of our activities incorporate movement, stretching and balance to help your child shake off any remaining sleepiness and focus the mind on the day ahead. One highlight is our Big Stretch activity, that combines guided breathing techniques with stretches from the ‘sky’ to the ‘earth’. This practice enhances awareness of body sensations, allowing children to carry that mindfulness throughout their day.

 

After a night of rest, these activities help kids reconnect with their bodies and foster a sense of presence as they prepare for the day ahead. They also serve as a brain stretch, promoting alertness and focus, which can lead to improved decision-making skills throughout the day.

 

Starting positive

 

Our activities also encourage children to be grateful and have compassion for themselves and others. When practiced in the morning, these activities focus on starting with positivity, allow children to connect deeply with the present moment so they are ready to embrace the world around them with an open heart throughout the day. We recommend that your child completes our senses activity after they wake up, in the garden or by the window, focussing on using the senses to help them to appreciate their experiences in the day to come.

 

We’re really excited for our new activity that’s coming soon, focussed on building affirmations to start the day. It will help children create positivity for the day ahead with uplifting statements every morning, helping them focus on their goals, build self-love and have an amazing day!

 

The morning can also be a great time for children to rate how they’re feeling on the Stix App and after activities. This can help them pay attention to how they feel, helping them get to know their emotions and how learn how to address them.

 

STIX AFTERNOONS

 

Why mindfulness in the afternoon?

 

Afternoons can be an important time for children as they return home from school, they could be carrying mental baggage they’ve picked up throughout the day. This can be especially true for autistic children who often mask their feelings and behaviours at school to blend in with peers. This can lead to feelings of isolation and disconnection from one’s true self throughout the school day.

 

Stix activities provide an excellent bridge from the school environment to the comfort of home. By establishing a mindfulness routine after school, children can effectively recover from daily challenges, addressing emotions and feelings that have come up at school and create a foundation for a calm evening. This sets the stage for a more peaceful atmosphere in your household, whether during dinner or while enjoying family games together.

 

Creating a safe space

 

Children can walk through the door after school, stressed, anxious, frustrated or energetic. Engaging in Stix activities in a calm environment allows them to decompress. They should have a special spot they use the Stix in after school- a calm quiet corner to establish a sense of presence and quiet at home.

 

Many Stix activities focus on getting children to address their emotions and feelings they will have experienced throughout the school day.  Using visualisation techniques, such as bubbles, surfing and colours, Stix activities will build children’s understanding of the feelings they’ve experienced at school. They’ll also learn techniques to manage these feelings once they return home. Bubble popping is an activity that many children who use Stix practice after school. In this activity children’s vision is ‘crowded by bubbles’ - these bubbles represent thoughts and feelings that are built up throughout their school day. They then pop these bubbles and let go of the emotional baggage they’ve picked up at school, clearing and calming their minds.

 

Many Stix activities encourage children to confront and articulate their emotions from the school day. Using visualization techniques such as bubbles, surfing, and colours, these activities enhance children’s understanding of the feelings they’ve felt at school. They could have felt rejected by a friend, feel embarrassed after a presentation or feel stress for what is to come the next school day. Our "Bubble Popping" activity allows children to visualize these thoughts and emotions as bubbles crowding their space. As they pop these bubbles, they can release the emotional baggage accumulated throughout the day, clearing and calming their minds.

 

Releasing energy

 

Stix mindfulness also provides a way for children to shake off excess energy. Many of our activities begin by asking children to "shake out" their energy to get them into the zone. After engaging with Stix activities, children find themselves in a calm and focused state, ready to tackle homework or enjoy quality family time without the lingering stress from school. This shift not only enhances their ability to concentrate on tasks but also strengthens family connections, allowing everyone to enjoy a more relaxed and harmonious afternoon together.

 

STIX EVENINGS

 

Why mindfulness in the evening?

 

Evenings can be a challenging time for children as they often experience anxiety and restlessness while thinking about the day ahead. This heightened stress can significantly impact their sleep quality. Adequate sleep is essential for protecting against stress, anxiety, and depression, making it crucial for children’s health and well-being.

 

Mindfulness activities with Stix can effectively address the challenges your child may face during bedtime and improve their sleep. By promoting a sense of ease in the body and clearing the mind of worries and racing thoughts, these activities help children relax and achieve deep, restorative sleep.

 

Breathing Techniques

 

Stix activities teach children valuable breathing techniques that cultivate a state of calm. When anxious or angry, a child's breathing often becomes irregular - short, fast, and shallow. By focusing on their breath and learning to control it, they can slow down and begin to feel more relaxed. This conscious breathing lowers heart rate and blood pressure, significantly reducing anxiety.

 

Integrating Stix breathing activities into your child’s bedtime routine is simple and effective. One excellent choice is "Breathing with the Sea," a soothing in-bed meditation. Who doesn’t find the gentle sound of ocean waves relaxing? Using the remote’s speakers, children can listen to the rhythmic waves while timing their breaths to match, allowing them to unwind and drift off to sleep, dreaming of sandy beaches and rolling tides.

 

Screen-Free Relaxation

 

Screen time before bed isn’t ideal for children, as the blue light emitted by devices and the stimulating content can disrupt sleep. That’s why Stix includes screen-free options specifically designed for this time of day. Focusing on breathing and emotional regulation instead of screens can have a profoundly positive impact on your child’s mental state as they prepare for sleep.

 

 

We’ve covered how Stix mindfulness offers a versatile approach to helping your child find moments of calm throughout the day, catering to your child’s needs at any time. From energizing morning routines to soothing after-school activities and calming bedtime practices. The remotes’ pocket-sized design and quick, engaging activities make it easy to integrate into the busiest of schedules, allowing children to embrace mindfulness wherever they are.

 

So, what time of day do you think your child would most benefit from mindfulness practices?