Mindfulness is for all ages. According to the annual report released in November of 2019, the Kentucky Youth Advocates 2019 County Data Book, almost half of the state’s children in 2017 lived in low-income households. County Health Rankings and Roadmaps details that in Barren County 33% of children are living in poverty compared to 22% statewide. 

Poverty begets other hardships, such as deficiencies in school readiness and overall health. We can equip children to better handle life’s hardships at an early age through an understanding of mindfulness and practice. Mindfulness is simply defined as being aware of the present. Academic research finds that mindfulness practice in children decreases stress and anxiety, improves attention and emotional regulation, strengthens compassion, and a host of other benefits. 

In an effort to promote a mindfulness practice in Barren county students, the County Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences, LaToya Drake, facilitated Yoga-inspired story hours at area schools including Glasgow Preschool Academy and Highland Elementary. These intentional and embodied playtime programs encourage joy as well as social-emotional, physical, and early literacy; over 250 participants were invited to dance, sing, meditate, play, and move. The story hour theme - “I am worthy and enough.” Student and teacher participants expressed their fulfillment with the program. 

Mindfulness education efforts have been moved online and were presented via Zoom in the wake of the Coronavirus Pandemic; Mindful Mondays Story Hours occurred on April 20th, 2020 (Kindness Helps Us All to Grow) and May 25th, 2020 (Handling Hard Times with Mindfulness). Over 14 children and their families were introduced to mindfulness practices during these distance learning opportunities. 

Efforts to encourage a mindfulness practice in youth and their families will continue as participants, their teachers, and their families report program enjoyment and the desire for future similar programs.  A local Preschool Teacher described the story hour as “a wonderful program and loved the book and glitter jar activity.”