10 Mindful Minutes

August 1, 2011
Hollywood icon Hawn is a mother of four and a grandmother whose Hawn Foundation supports the MindUP program in schools in the U.S., Canada, and Great Britain. Here, she collaborates with writer Holden to present elements of the program that parents can use in daily life with kids. The authors explain that mindfulness helps children develop social and emotional intelligence, resulting in greater awareness, less stress, and higher levels of happiness and empathy. Developed by brain experts, the program also helps children use their senses to hone their brain muscles; in a chapter called "Mindful Sensing," Hawn covers mindful listening, seeing, smelling, tasting, and movement with suggested activities appropriate for various ages to accompany each sense. Hawn explains how to help children use mindful breathing (she calls it her "secret sauce") to become more reflective and self aware, and gain emotional control. The practice, she asserts, requires only three minutes a day to create positive change. It also helps kids sleep better and manage stress and/or anger, among other benefits. In "Reflections" throughout the text, Hawn looks back on her own childhood and shares her personal experiences as a mother. Hawn's gentle, heartfelt approach to mothering and her mission to help children develop happier, healthier lives will be both useful and inspiring for parents.