One Simple Coping Strategy that You Can Use Anywhere

It's important to teach coping skills to kids as a way to manage anger, anxiety, and stress. This simple coping strategy can be used anywhere and anytime by both adults and kids alike.

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I'm all about filling my kids' coping skills toolbox so that they can cope with stress and anxiety and manage their anger both now and in the future.

Basically, I want to raise resilient kids.

We do a lot of deep breathing for instance. And we have things like a calm down corner and a calm down kit.

But it's also important that my kids know some coping strategies that they can do anywhere and anytime. Because let's face it - we face most of the difficult, frustrating, and overwhelming things when outside our home.

That's why I want to share one of our favorite coping strategies with you. It's such a simple coping strategy for anxiety and stress and yes, it can be used anywhere and anytime. It requires no fancy materials.

Try this Coping Strategy for Stress & Anxiety

Deep breathing and counting are both excellent coping strategies, but this particular strategy combines the two. It's a simple way to reset when you start to feel overwhelmed, anxious, or even angry about something. Just pause and follow the steps below.

It's important to remember that if you or your child are already in meltdown mode, then this strategy isn't going to work. The idea is to use this coping strategy before you lose control as a way to reduce the likelihood of a meltdown or tantrum occurring (read about the difference between meltdowns and tantrums here).

So when you need to reset, just remember to breathe and count.

How to Use this Coping Strategy

This strategy is super simple and straightforward. And it's a great coping skill to teach kids to help with anger, stress, or anxiety. You can remember this technique with the numbers 3-10-1-10. Numbers are my son's thing after all...Here's how it works:

1. Close your eyes.
2. Take three slow deep breaths, inhaling through the nose and exhaling through the mouth.
3. Next, count to ten slowly.
4. Once you reach ten, take another deep breath and pause for a few seconds.
5. Now slowly count backwards from ten.
6. Open your eyes.

And that's it! 

Other Coping Skills Resources You'll Love

40+ Things to Put in a Calm Down Kit for Kids {Free Printable}

5 Ways to Help an Angry Child Cope with Big Emotions

Free Printable Visual Calm Down Cards

Fall Mindfulness Activities for Kids

Fall themed mindfulness activities for kids, including deep breathing exercises, gratitude crafts, and ideas for doing fall yoga for kids.

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Fall is a busy time for most families. It starts with back to school season and the scheduling of after school activities. Then the holidays quickly approach and then the next thing you know it's already Christmas.

Despite your busy schedule, there's certainly lots of ways you can sneak in some mindfulness practice with your kids.

From yoga to deep breathing to gratitude crafts, there's tons of great fall mindfulness activities for kids below that will help you slow down and just be a touch more present this fall.

Autumn/Fall Mindfulness Activities for Kids

Here are some wonderful fall themed mindfulness activities for kids, including deep breathing exercises, five senses ideas, and fall sensory bottles. There's even a couple of free mindfulness printables included below.

1. Fall Leaf Deep Breathing Exercise {Free Poster!}

2. 12+ Fall Sensory Bottles for Mindfulness

3. Free Mindful Leaf Tracing Printables from Rock Your Homeschool

4. Pumpkin Deep Breathing Exercise from The OT Toolbox

5. 8 Fall Mindfulness & Gratitude Activities for Kids from Counselor Keri

6. Describe a Pumpkin Using the 5 Senses from Gift of Curiosity

7. Free Printable Autumn Mindfulness Walk Worksheet from Flow and Grow Kids Yoga

8. Free Printable Autumn Nature Hunt Bingo from Such a Time as This

Guided Fall Meditation for Kids

There are lots of benefits of meditation for kids. I know the idea of a kid sitting still and quiet for a handful of minutes seems practically impossible. But with a little bit of practice - and a whole lot of patience - it is totally doable.

New to meditating with kids? Here are some great tips to get started with meditation for kids.

Otherwise, feel free to share these short guided meditations with your kids.

Fall & Autumn Inspired Yoga Poses for Kids

Yoga is a great mindfulness tool for kids. Here are some awesome yoga poses and sequences that are inspired by fall that the kids will love!

1. Fall Themed Yoga from Pink Oatmeal

2. 5 Fall Yoga Poses Using a Chair from Kids Yoga Stories

3. 10 Autumn Yoga Poses from Kids Yoga Stories

Gratitude Crafts for Autumn

Gratitude and mindfulness pretty much go hand in hand. Expressing gratitude encourages kids to focus on the many things they are thankful for instead of focusing on all the bad things that aren't going their way. Here are some great fall inspired gratitude crafts.

1. Paper Bag Gratitude Tree Craft from No Time for Flash Cards

2. Handprint Tree of Thanks Craft from Fun Handprint Art

3. Magnetic Thankful Tree from The Educator's Spin on it

4. Gratitude Leaves & Tree Craft from Creative Family Fun

Candy Corn Deep Breathing Exercise {Free Printable Poster Included!}

Looking for some deep breathing exercises to teach the kids? Try this Halloween themed technique and grab a copy of the free printable poster too!

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Switch up your deep breathing exercises with a simple technique inspired by Halloween's most disgusting treat: candy corn.

It's probably the closest I would get to touching candy corn personally. I mean that stuff is nasty.

Or maybe you're one of the few who actually like candy corn and you're even more excited about this deep breathing exercise. In that case, I'll happily share all candy corn with you in exchange for something I like better. Which is basically anything haha

Anyway, your kids will love tracing their fingers around this free printable deep breathing poster as they breathe in and out.

Teach Your Kids this Halloween Themed Deep Breathing Technique

Just like the ghost deep breathing exercise, this candy corn one is based loosely on the triangle breathing technique.

It's simple and straightforward to do. And kids of all ages - yes even you my candy corn loving friend - can use this technique during the Halloween season.

Simply trace and follow the instructions and repeat as needed.

About the Free Printable Candy Corn Deep Breathing Exercise Poster

This one page printable shows kids how to do a Halloween themed deep breathing technique by tracing a piece of candy corn.

The full instructions for doing this breathing exercise are included on the printable.

Download the Free Candy Corn Deep Breathing Poster

This one page printable outlines how to use this deep breathing technique. It includes written instructions and visual guides/cues to help you or your child use the technique.

I highly recommend laminating the poster for durability. Then feel free to include it in a calm down kit or calm down corner.

To get a copy of this printable, click the link below:

>> Click here to download the free printable

 

15+ Halloween Themed Sensory Bottles that are Calming for Kids

How to make Halloween themed sensory bottles that are a perfect addition to your child's calm down kit.

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Calm down bottles are such a great tool for anxious kids who worry.

They help kids self-regulate when they're overwhelmed and they make for a great visual stim.

And most importantly, they work. Yep, there's just something about watching the glitter or other items swirl and spin around. It's so mesmerizing. And yes, it can help calm your child when they're feeling overwhelmed or are trying to deal with anxiety or other big emotions.

So if you want to switch things up in your child's calm down kit this Halloween, then try making one of these awesome Halloween sensory bottles.

Halloween Calm Down Bottles for Toddlers & Preschoolers

One thing I love about sensory bottles is that they are great for kids of all ages, even babies.

Another thing I love is that the possibilities are endless in terms of what you create. You can fill the bottles with all sorts of materials. You can even make them glow in the dark! And you can literally make calm down bottles based on any of your kid's interests or the seasons.

Since Halloween's coming up, why not make your own Halloween sensory bottle or jar? Get inspired with these awesome ideas.

1. Jack-O-Lantern Halloween Sensory Bottle from Pre-K Pages

2. Spooky Spiderweb Halloween Sensory Bottle from Little Bins for Little Hands

3. Easy Halloween Glitter Sensory Bottle from Simple Everyday Mom (pictured)

4. Monster Eyes Sensory Bottle from The Soccer Mom Blog

5. Two Simple Halloween Sensory Bottles from Fun at Home with Kids

6. Frankenstein Sensory Bottle from Frogs and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails (pictured)

7. Glow in the Dark Ghost Sensory Bottle from Rhythms of Play (pictured)

8. Halloween I Spy Bottle from One Time Through

9. Jack-O-Lantern Water Beads Sensory Bottle from Teach Me Mommy

10. Glowing Pumpkin Halloween Sensory Bottle from Rhythms of Play

11. Quick & Easy Halloween Sensory Jars from Sunshine & Holly

12. Easy Halloween I Spy Bottles from Of Learning & Nesting

13. Glow in the Dark Halloween Sensory Bottle from Teaching Mama

14. Colorful Halloween Sensory Bottle from Childhood 101

15. Candy Corn Discovery Bottle from Preschool Inspirations

Other Resources You'll Love

Halloween Deep Breathing Exercise with Free Printable Poster

Free Printable Jack-O-Lantern Themed I Spy Game

Fall Sensory Bottles

The Visualizing and Verbalizing Kit: Is it Worth it? Here's What You Need to Know Before You Buy {A Detailed Review}

A detailed review of the Visualizing and Verbalizing kit from Lindamood Bell written by Nanci Bell. Find out whether or not it's helpful for improving reading and language comprehension in kids with autism or hyperlexia.

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If you linger in any of the hyperlexia parenting groups, then you might have seen the terms Lindamood Bell or Visualizing and Verbalizing come up on a pretty regular basis, especially in discussions regarding reading comprehension.

Questions like...

• Has anyone tried the Lindamood Bell and how did it work for your family?

• Does Visualizing and Verbalizing work?

• Is it worth it?

Well, I'm here to hopefully answer most - if not, all - of those questions. Because I've got a pretty indepth review of the Lindamood Bell Visualizing and Verbalizing kit for you below.

Gander Publishing provided me with a copy of the Visualizing and Verbalizing Kit to review and try with my son. In particular, they sent us the homeschool bundle. All opinions are my own and 100% honest.

What is Visualizing and Verbalizing?

The Lindamood Bell Visualizing and Verbalizing program is designed to help improve language comprehension by building concept imagery. I described it in more detail here.

But I'm going to guess you already know a little bit about what it is if you're already here reading a full review of it...

So let's dive in!

Things I Like About Visualizing and Verbalizing

This is the part where I help you figure out whether or not the Visualizing and Verbalizing kit will be the right fit for you.

Because you're obviously here wondering if it's worth it or not, right?

1. Hyperlexia is Actually Mentioned in the Teacher's Manual

Okay this might seem like a silly thing to be excited about, but you know what? I was. See, there's not a lot of books about hyperlexia available so to see the word hyperlexia in print, multiple times, had me beyond excited to dive into this program with my son.

Before I received our kit in the mail, I actually happened to find an older version of the teacher's manual at our local library. I read through a good chunk of it before our kit arrived, but one of the main differences I noticed right away between the two versions, is that hyperlexia was actually mentioned!

So even if you just want a better understanding of what hyperlexia is, this teacher's manual is a great reference to help you learn more about how kids with hyperlexia learn. And honestly, this whole program seems to be designed with hyperlexic learners in mind.

P.S.: you can actually check out a sample chapter of the teacher's manual for free here.

So a quick recap of this point:

• Hyperlexia is actually recognized in the teacher's manual, making it one of only a handful of books that actually mention the term.

• The teacher's manual is a great reference for better understanding what hyperlexia is, why they struggle with comprehension, and what those struggles look like.

2. I Like the Progression of the Program

There are 10 steps in the Visualizing and Verbalizing program and each step allows you to build on the skills from the previous step. And even the numbering system of the structure words helps students move "from the whole to the parts" (p. 67 of the teacher's manual) instead of attending to the wrong details first. I wrote more about the structure words here.

We are currently still somewhere in the middle, working hard to build a strong foundation before moving on to the next steps where things get a bit more complex.

One of the first steps is the Picture to Picture step, which you can see us practicing here:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Dyan - Hyperlexia Advocate (@andnextcomesl) on Jul 8, 2019 at 11:03am PDT

Here's a quick summary of this point:

• The program moves in a logical and straightforward way.

• Each step allows you to build on the skills from the previous step while increasing the complexity.

3. I Can Implement it Myself at Home

The program is straightforward to implement on your own at home.

However, it is highly recommended that you sign up for the training workshops first to make sure that you are implementing the program correctly. I believe you even get the complete program kit if you register for a workshop. View the upcoming workshop schedule

You can also attend a specialized Lindamood Bell center or find a local speech therapist who is well-versed in Visualizing and Verbalizing if you'd prefer.

However, I understand that these options might not be available to you for a variety of reasons. Maybe there's no center close by. Maybe the ongoing cost of attending a specialized center isn't doable financially. Maybe there's no speech therapist near you trained in the program.

Thankfully, the program is easy to understand and very systematic so you can implement it at home. The kit even comes with all the important materials you need to get started anyway. I did however have to make a few things myself to supplement the homeschool bundle like the colored squares needed for the sentence by sentence imaging step.

Since there's no Lindamood Bell center near me, we've been implementing Visualizing and Verbalizing at home on my own. It allows us more flexibility in terms of the rate of instruction and allows us to work at our own pace and in an environment where my son is more comfortable.

Here's a quick recap of this point and some items related to it:

• There are online training workshops that you can attend to learn how to implement the program.

• The online training workshops also include the complete kit in the price.

• The program is easy to understand and easy to implement at home yourself.

• There are lots of professionals trained in using Visualizing and Verbalizing and you can attend specialized centers, if interested.

• The kit comes with everything you need to get started.

• The teacher's manual provides examples of how to implement each step.

• There are lots of speech therapists and professionals experienced in Visualizing and Verbalizing and there might be a local professional near you who is familiar with it (there was for us!).

4. It Seems to Be Working

But the bottom line is this: does Visualizing and Verbalizing actually work to improve language comprehension?

Well, let's take a quick look at what the research says and whether or not that seems to be reflective of our experiences so far.

"The program significantly improved the reading comprehension skills of the students who were exposed to the intervention, and they developed a more positive attitude and increased motivation towards tasks that require reading comprehension." - Fakhreddine (2013), source

Interestingly, we have noticed the increased motivation and positive attitude already and we haven't done the program as aggressive as was done in this research. And it's actually something that I mentioned on Instagram recently. So when I read this passage, I was like, "YES! That's what we've been noticing!"

The Visualizing and Verbalizing program also:

"appears helpful in improving vocabulary and oral comprehension abilities in children with ASD." - Lemelman (2014), source

Improvements in comprehension and vocabulary is always a good thing, right?

However, there are some studies that suggest that Visualizing and Verbalizing isn't necessarily better than other comprehension programs. For example:

"Students appeared to benefit equally from 'Visualising and Verbalising' training and 'traditional' comprehension training" - Dixon et al. (2001), source

I did also see a more recent study with similar findings, but of course, I can't seem to locate that article now...

So while Visualizing and Verbalizing is good at what it's meant to do (improve language comprehension), it's not necessarily the only option available to you, at least according to some of the research I read.

You can also find lots of research support for the program on the Lindamood Bell website, but I'm always leery of company-compiled research to be honest. They do offer a handy guide with research summaries in it though if you're interested, but I'm not going to link to it (see my previous comment as to why).

So let's recap this point:

• Visualizing and Verbalizing is research-backed.

• It has been found to significantly improve reading comprehension skills.

• Kids who have used Visualizing and Verbalizing develop a more positive attitude and see an increase in motivation towards reading comprehension related tasks.

• This program has been found to improve vocabulary and oral comprehension abilities in autistic children.

Some Other Strengths of Lindamood Bell Visualizing and Verbalizing Program

Here are a couple of other positives to know about the program:

• Can be used in group settings as well as in one-on-one instruction

• Takes a multisensory approach

• Offers lots of visual aids and supports (e.g., the stones, colored squares, and structure words cards)

• Includes clear lesson examples for each step in the process

• You can buy the full kit, a homeschool sized bundle, and/or even the individual parts

• You can frequently find sales on the kits on the Gander Publishing Website

• Quick shipping

• Gander Publishing does offer some fun themed supplementary materials from time to time for free (see all the free resources here)

Things I Don't Like About Visualizing and Verbalizing (So Far)

Like most things, the Visualizing and Verbalizing kit isn't perfect. There are quite a few things I don't like about the program so far, but the positives definitely outweigh any of the negatives I list below.

1. The Cost of the Program

The Visualizing and Verbalizing kit is expensive and I understand why, but the price point is a huge turn off for a lot of families. Thankfully they do offer a homeschool bundle that is a bit more affordable and they frequently have sales on the kits.

Here's a look at the homeschool bundle (not pictured is one book of stories or the tracking sheet; the colorful squares are not part of the bundle - I made those):

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Dyan - Hyperlexia Advocate (@andnextcomesl) on Sep 3, 2019 at 9:29am PDT

The Visualizing and Verbalizing kit is also not easy to find here in Canada, which means exchange rates and potential duty fees have to be factored in when ordering the kit. For reference, I got hit with a duty fee of nearly $80 when the homeschool bundle arrived.

So to summarize...

• The kit is expensive.

• It's even more expensive to attend a specialized center or hire out instruction and implementation of the program.

• If you live in Canada, prepare to be hit by pretty big customs/duty fees.

2. Some of the Stories are Dated & Boring

The kit that we were given includes a book of stories called Imagine That! Stories. The back of the books says, "These true stories about unique people, animals, mysteries, and more are sure to interest students of all ages." But unfortunately, both my son and I found these stories kind of dated and boring. Here's why we disliked them:

• The stories are boring and my son absolutely hates them.

• Some stories seem like they were written in the 70s or something because some of the topics are just plain weird or inappropriate (like the story about a chimpanzee smoking cigarettes).

• The content of the stories don't seem relevant or interesting to a kid in 2019 (he asked me where all the stories were about dinosaurs, planets, and video games).

• There are a lot of stories with an American theme (something a Canadian kid struggles to relate to and understand).

However, the Visualizing and Verbalizing Stories book included in our kit was a much better fit. The stories are more engaging and interesting and my son seems to enjoy these stories instead. So I would just personally skip the Imagine That! Stories books.

Here's a quick summary of this point:

• Some of the stories are in desperate need of some refreshing to make sure they're relevant to kids today.

• Some of the stories are just plain boring and my son hated them.

Some Other Weaknesses

Here are a couple of other things that I don't like about the Visualizing and Verbalizing kit that are worth mentioning:

• No digital version available (and really there's no reason why there shouldn't be)

• Can be hard to determine when to progress to the next step

• Recommended rate of instruction is intense and requires a big time commitment

My Final Thoughts on the Lindamood Bell Visualizing & Verbalizing Kit

Just to reiterate, we are only at the halfway point in the program, but so far, I'm a huge fan of it.

It has been working wonders for my son and we have seen lots of positive changes in the short time that we have been implementing it. He's excited about reading again. He's all of a sudden binge reading books at a rapid pace. And his latest comprehension test at school showed a huge improvement.

So yes, I highly recommend the Visualizing and Verbalizing kit for working on comprehension with hyperlexic kids.

Is it better than other comprehension programs out there? I don't know, but I don't plan on seeking out any alternatives at this point.

Ready to Try the Visualizing and Verbalizing Kit to Improve Language Comprehension?

Major props to you if you read every single word above. I mean that was a pretty in depth review, huh?

But investing in a program like this is a big deal.

You have no idea how long I wondered about purchasing this kit myself...(hint: at least a couple of years). So hopefully my review above helped you make up your mind even just a little bit.

Ready to take the plunge? Click on any of the images or links below to purchase your own copy of the Visualizing and Verbalizing Kit.

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  V & V TEACHER'S MANUAL

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  V & V COMPLETE KIT

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  V & V 1-ON-1 BUNDLE

Still unsure? That's okay too. I know it's a big financial and time commitment.

However, I do encourage you to at least take some time to check out the free sample chapter of the teacher's manual. It will give you a better idea of what to expect. You can download the free sample chapter here.

Or you can go through my V/V Program story highlights on my Instagram account to see all the materials, as well as some additional photos and videos of the program in action.

Ghost Deep Breathing Exercise {Free Printable Poster Included!}

Looking for some deep breathing exercises to teach the kids? Try this Halloween themed technique and grab a copy of the free printable poster too!

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Two areas that I have been helping my kids to practice and develop a lot over the past couple of years are mindfulness and deep breathing.

I'm a big fan of teaching both of these skills.

In fact, they have both already had a tremendous impact on my kids' ability to cope with anxiety and self-regulate. And even I use these tools myself because even adults need some help with self-regulation, right?

This Halloween themed deep breathing exercise is so cute. More importantly though, this technique is simple to teach and easy to implement.

Teach Your Kids this Halloween Themed Deep Breathing Technique

Have you heard of triangle breathing before? Well, it was the inspiration for this ghostly breathing exercise.

It's a simple and straightforward technique that even the littlest of kids can do. No trickery involved. And definitely no spooky imagery is involved. Instead it's just a super calm and adorable ghost coaching your kids to do a little deep breathing. Bonus, he even looks like he is taking in a deep breath, don't you think?

Anyway, this ghost breathing is a nice twist on the classic triangle breathing exercise.

About the Free Printable Ghost Deep Breathing Exercise Poster

This one page printable shows kids how to do a Halloween themed deep breathing technique and features a calm, chill ghost.

The full instructions for doing this breathing exercise are included on the printable.

Download the Free Ghost Deep Breathing Poster

This one page printable outlines how to use this deep breathing technique. It includes written instructions and visual guides/cues to help you or your child use the technique.

I highly recommend laminating the poster for durability. Then feel free to include it in a calm down kit or calm down corner.

To get a copy of this printable, click the link below:

>> Click here to download the free printable

 

Fall Leaf Deep Breathing Exercise {Free Printable Poster Included!}

Looking for some deep breathing exercises to teach the kids? Try this fall themed technique and grab a copy of the free printable poster too!

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I'm a big fan of teaching kids how to do deep breathing.

It's just one of many techniques my oldest has found helpful for coping with his anxiety.

When it comes to teaching kids deep breathing techniques and strategies, using a visual cue is often quite helpful. Especially when they can trace their finger around the shape as a way to keep them grounded.

This free printable deep breathing poster is a wonderful visual cue with a fall theme that will have your kids mastering this whole deep breathing thing in no time.

A Simple Breathing Exercise for Kids with an Autumn Twist

This fall leaf breathing exercise is a twist on star breathing where you trace around a star while you breathe in and out, over and over. But obviously substitute a colorful leaf for the star.

The technique is pretty straightforward to do and can be great for kids of any age to learn. Yes, even those big kids (aka adults) that you know could use a bit more calm and mindfulness practice in their life.

About the Free Printable Fall Leaf Deep Breathing Exercise Poster

This one page printable offers a simple deep breathing technique using a fall theme.

As for how to do the actual deep breathing technique, simply trace the leaf and follow the instructions. Breathe in. Hold. Breathe out. Repeat.

Download the Free Fall Leaf Deep Breathing Poster

This one page printable outlines how to use this deep breathing technique. It includes written instructions and visual guides/cues to help you or your child use the technique.

I highly recommend laminating the poster for durability. Then feel free to include it in a calm down kit or calm down corner.

To get a copy of this printable, click the link below:

>> Click here to download the free printable

 

The Best Mindfulness Books for Kids

Looking for mindfulness books for kids? Then you'll love this list of children's books about mindfulness, relaxation, and deep breathing.

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You might be wondering how to introduce your toddlers, preschoolers, or even young school aged children to the concept of mindfulness.

And like many other topics that you want to introduce to your kids, picture books are often a great starting point. Especially if you have hyperlexic kids. Books are basically their best friend.

So if you would like to teach your kids deep breathing, meditation, and mindfulness strategies, then you're in the right spot. You're going to love these children's books about mindfulness!

About this List of Mindfulness Picture Books for Kids

Just a couple of things to know about this list of children's books on mindfulness:

• This list will be continually added to as I find and discover new mindfulness books for kids.

• I have actually physically read every single book on this list myself. I didn't just pick these books all willy nilly.

• This book list was updated on November 22, 2019 to include a new title. New books are always added to the end of the list.

The Best Mindfulness Books for Kids: Great for Teaching Meditation, Deep Breathing, Coping Skills, & More!

1. Alphabreaths: The ABCs of Mindful Breathing

By Christopher Willard and Daniel Rechtschaffen

Illustrated by Holly Clifton-Brown

I stumbled across this book on the Hoopla app one day and knew I had to check it out. I mean deep breathing paired with ABCs?! Seems like a perfect book to show a hyperlexic kid!

Well, I feel in love with it instantly. It teaches 26 deep breathing techniques, one for each letter of the alphabet. Kind of like you figured it would based on the title, right? Plus, the artwork is gorgeous. 

I highly recommend this book, especially if you have a hyperlexic kid.

2. Breathe

By Scott Magoon

This book is so incredibly soothing. It has simple text and beautiful artwork. I think it's perfect for reading as a tool to calm down. Actually, I think it should just be a board book, to be honest. Regardless, this book is great for really little ones like toddlers.

3. My Magic Breath: Finding Calm Through Mindful Breathing

By Nick Ortner and Alison Taylor

Illustrated by Michelle Polizzi

This book is like the Press Here! of mindfulness picture books. It's interactive and engaging! And the kids will love it!

It teaches kids all about how to use deep breathing and when to use the magic breath to calm down. It's such a great book!

4. Breathe with Me: Using Breath to Feel Strong, Calm, & Happy

By Mariam Gates

Illustrated by Sarah Jane Hinder

I love how this book teaches specific deep breathing techniques to kids such as rainbow breath and dandelion breath.

The artwork in this book is bright and colorful. It even shows lots of diverse characters, including a disabled girl. Yay for representation!

This mindfulness book is really good and definitely worth checking out.

5. ABC Mindful Me

By Christiane Engel

You know I'll love this book right away because of the ABC format. It's the perfect example of using a hyperlexic child's interests to teach new skills and concepts.

This book features bright and bold images paired with mindfulness principles in alphabetical order. Again, kind of like the cover and title suggest...

I like the nice rhyming text in this book. And I especially love the resources at the end of the book. There's a definition of mindfulness there as well as some mindfulness activity ideas to do with your kids.

6. I Am Peace: A Book of Mindfulness

By Susan Verde

Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds

This book is all about using mindfulness strategies to help with worries. So it's great for anxious kids.

It's very calming to read and could even be used as a guided meditation itself.

I do love the colorful art. I'm a huge Peter H. Reynolds fan. However, I don't like how the child is drawn to look like a hippy. Mindfulness isn't just for hippies. Just saying...Otherwise, the book is great.

7. Breathe and Be: A Book of Mindfulness Poems

By Kate Coombs

Illustrated by Anna Emilia Laitinen

Full of short poems about grounding techniques, mindfulness strategies, and reminders to breathe, this book is really quite beautiful. The illustrations are calm and soothing and are the perfect compliment to the text.

8. The Lemon Hurricane: A Story of Mindfulness and Meditation

By Licia Morelli

Illustrated by Jennifer E. Morris

Curious about teaching your kids to meditate? Then this book is a good starting point! It introduces the concept of meditation to your kids and has lovely illustrations to accompany the text.

9. What Does it Mean to be Present?

By Rana DiOrio

Illustrated by Eliza Wheeler

This book focuses on teaching kids what it means to be present, just like the title suggests. So it's a perfect introduction for kids to what mindfulness is all about considering being present is a key part of being mindful.

10. Crab & Whale

By Mark Pallis & Christianne Kerr

Illustrated by James Cottell

The author sent me a copy of this book to review after seeing this blog post. All opinions are my own and 100% honest. I enjoyed it and thought it deserved a spot on this list.

Crab discovers a beached whale and helps Whale stay calm and teaches him how to do deep breathing. This book also includes instructions to do a breathing exercise at the end. Plus, the watercolor artwork is gorgeous!

Just a heads up...I do think some kids might worry about the whale dying, so it's something to consider if you have a particularly sensitive or anxious child.

Other Mindfulness Resources for Kids You'll Love

The Ultimate Guide to Mindfulness & Meditation for Kids

Mindfulness Activities for Kids to Try

Benefits of Meditation for Kids