A Guide to Mindfulness for Families and Children

The start of a school year can bring excitement for many, but also plenty of big feelings for children and parents. New routines, social pressures, and even financial concerns can feel overwhelming.

Mindfulness is a proven way to help children and adults manage stress, feel calmer, and stay focused. By adding a few simple mindfulness practices into your week, you can create moments of calm, support your child’s wellbeing, and make the school year feel more manageable for the whole family.

What is mindfulness?

Mindfulness means paying attention to the present moment. It can be as simple as focusing on your breathing, listening to the sounds around you, or noticing how your body feels.

For children, mindfulness might be taking a few slow breaths when they feel nervous, or noticing the colours and shapes they can see on the way to school. For parents, mindfulness can be a way to pause during a busy day, reduce stress, and feel more present with your child.

Why mindfulness matters

Mindfulness can help children improve concentration, manage worries, and feel more confident in school and at home. For parents, mindfulness can make it easier to stay calm and patient during challenging moments. Practicing mindfulness together as a family can also create stronger bonds and turn stressful times into opportunities for connection.

If you would like extra guidance on supporting your child's mental wellbeing, YoungMinds has a wide range of tips and resources to help parents and carers.

Easy ways to help families feel calmer 

Try adding some of these small but useful habits to your week:

• Get outside in nature - Go for a walk, collect leaves, or sit quietly and listen to birdsong.
• Limit screen time - Set aside a quiet, device-free hour before bed to help everyone relax.
• Cook together - Invite children to measure ingredients, stir the mixture, or taste the food.
• Read together - Choose a calming bedtime story and talk about how the story makes you feel.
• Family yoga - Simple stretches or deep-breathing exercises can help the whole family unwind.

Three quick mindfulness activities to try

• Balloon breathing - Pretend to blow up a balloon by taking slow, deep breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth.
• Five senses game - Pause and notice five things you can see, four you can feel, three you can hear, two you can smell, and one you can taste.
• Gratitude jar - Write one good thing about your day on a piece of paper and put it in a jar. Read them together at the end of the week.

Mindfulness doesn’t need to take a lot of time or be complicated. Even a few minutes a day can help children and parents feel calmer, more focused, and more connected during the school year.

Mental wellbeing support resources

• stem4
• YoungMinds
• Mind

Financial wellbeing support

• The Money Charity
• StepChange

Support for families with financial worries

Being a parent is challenging enough without financial burdens. If money worries are adding to your stress, remember that support is available. If you work in the UK fashion and textile industry and need a helping hand, FTCT can support you. Our grants help families provide essentials and give every child the opportunity to thrive.

Could you apply for an FTCT grant?

You may be eligible for a grant if you work or have recently worked for a fashion or textile employer and are caring for a child under 18.

We help parents in many situations, including:
• Financial hardship due to job loss, illness or bereavement
• Families who are rehoused after homelessness or unsafe living conditions
• Low-income households struggling with long-term financial hardship

How do I apply for an FTCT grant?

If you have read through all our criteria and would like to apply, please complete our online enquiry form.

Related FTCT support

You might also be interested in:

• Helping Children Feel Confident at School
• Budget Tips Every Parent Should Know