Helpful Websites

Mindfulness Awareness Research Center at UCLA
http://marc.ucla.edu/
One of the worlds top mindfulness training programs, UCLA's MARC website has free guided meditations and information about classes for children and parents throughout Southern California, including Dan Siegel's parenting program based on the latest brain science.

Mindful-Based Stress Reduction
https://www.umassmed.edu/cfm
Arguably the original source of contemporary mindfulness research in the U.S. Links to certified teachers and programs.

MindUP Program
https://mindup.org/
Official website for the Hawn Foundation's program: MindUP

MindfulSchools.Org
http://www.mindfulschools.org/
Organization that promotes mindfulness in schools.

Inner Kids
https://www.susankaisergreenland.com/inner-kids-model
Site with resources for children, including audio recorded exercises.

Mindfulness Books for Children

Meditation Chime. We use a meditation chime such as this for short practices. With younger children, they will focus on the sound of the chime until it fades away; so, it is important that it rings for 30-60 seconds. For older kids, they can use the chime before doing homework or before after school activities that require focus (e.g., before a competition). Chime can be purchased on Amazon: Woodstock Solo Silver Zenergy Chime- Eastern Energies Collection
Moody Cow Meditates is my boys' favorite mindfulness book. Moody cow has a bad day, but his grandfather teaches him how to meditate using a "mind jar." We use these mind jars in class to help kids meditate and visualize how mindfulness calms down their thoughts. You can purchase on Amazon: Moody Cow Meditates

The sequel to Moody Cow Meditates, in this book Moody Cow learns about having compassion for everyone from his grandfather. Available on Amazon: Moody Cow Learns Compassion
Anh's Anger tells the story of how Anh learns how to manage his anger using his breath. It's a fun and beautiful book that is excellent for helping children learn how to manage the difficult emotion of anger. Available on Amazon: Anh's Anger
The sequel to Ahn's Anger, in Steps and Stones Ahn uses mindfulness to manage his anger at school when no one wants to join him during recess. This is an excellent book for children learning to manage common struggles in relating to peers. Available on Amazon: Steps and Stones: An Anh's Anger Story
In Visiting Feelings, children learn how bring mindfulness to all their emotions, befriending all feelings with acceptance and equanimity. Available at Amazon: Visiting Feelings
Written by internally renowned brain expert Dan Amen, this book teaches children to question their automatic negative thoughts (ANTs), the most effective way to prevent depression and anxiety in children and adults. With over 50% of children and teens having diagnosable depression and anxiety before age 18, this book is invaluable to ensuring your child is able to skillfully handle stress. Available at Amazon: Captain Snout and the Super Power Questions: Don’t Let the ANTs Steal Your Happiness
A Handful of Quiet is about about the Four Pebble Meditation we practice at Carden Conejo. This visualization has children imagine themselves having the qualities of a flower, mountain, water, and air, and is the favorite of many children. Available at: A Handful of Quiet: Happiness in Four Pebbles

Parenting Books

In No-Drama Discipline, Siegel and Bryson introduce parents to brain-based parenting, utilizing many elements of mindfulness. Available on Amazon: No-Drama Discipline: The Whole-Brain Way to Calm the Chaos and Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind
In Brainstorm, Siegel describes changes in the brain during adolescents and helps parents to learn how to interact with their children during this often tumultuous period of life. In valuable as our children enter their tween years. Available on Amazon: Brainstorm: The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain
A parenting classic, 1-2-3 Magic is a simple yet highly effective parenting approach for children aged 3-12. When parents implement this unique counting technique as described in this book, the results are impressive. Available on Amazon: 1-2-3 Magic: 3-Step Discipline for Calm, Effective, and Happy Parenting
Based on the latest science and research, Saving Our Sons skillfully guides parents with practical advice for raising boys in today's complex world, addressing issues such as screen time, emotional maturity, and motivation. Available on Amazon: Saving Our Sons: A New Path for Raising Healthy and Resilient Boys
Based on the latest science and research, The Minds of Girls provides an overview of brain science and girls, addressing issues such as the emotions of girls, STEM education, and screen time. Available on Amazon: The Minds of Girls: A New Path for Raising Healthy, Resilient, and Successful Women

Mindfulness for Adults

The first mindfulness-based program, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction has a strong evidence base for improving both physical and emotional wellbeing in adults and children. An excellent resource for parents wanting to start their own mindfulness program. Available on Amazon: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction: The MBSR Program for Enhancing Health and Vitality
The entire Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction 8-week program is available on CD, including numerous guided meditations. A great option for those who would like more guidance than a book provides. Available on Amazon: Guided Mindfulness Meditation: A Complete Guided Mindfulness Meditation Program from Jon Kabat-Zinn
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