Mindfulness is the act of being fully aware of their present thoughts, feelings, and senses in a manner that is free from judgment. At Mindful Play Learning, our goal is to help raise mindful early learners and equip them with essential skills such as focus, empathy, and self-regulation. In pursuit of this goal, we offer many resources, such as our Early Learner Mindfulness Scale, designed to help asses and support a child's mindfulness journey. In this blog, we will show you how to use the scale effectively to help you find your way.
Scale Basics
The Early Learner Mindfulness Scale is adapted from the renowned Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire. We simplified some of its content and concepts in order to make it suitable for young children. The scale uses a simple 1 to 5 rating system, where 1 indicates infrequent behavior and 5 indicates frequent behavior. It's important to observe your child's behavior over a long time, instead of keying into a single instance. Also, this scale should never be used as a definitive measure of the limits of your child's abilities, instead, use it as a guideline for identifying growth opportunities.
Component 1: Observing (Sensory Awareness)
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Observing measures how often a toddler pays attention to their senses – sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell. Look for behaviors like noticing colors, listening to sounds, distinguishing tastes, feeling different textures, and identifying scents. A higher score indicates a child is highly attuned to their surroundings, while a low score suggests a need for more sensory engagement activities.
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Component 2: Description (Expressing Feelings)
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Description assesses how well a toddler can communicate their feelings. Observe how they describe their emotions or sensations, even in simple terms. A high score means the child can express their feelings effectively, aiding in emotional regulation and understanding. A low score indicates a need for more encouragement and opportunities to express their emotions.
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 Component 3: Acting with Awareness (Mindful Actions)
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Acting with Awareness examines how often a toddler pauses before reacting to situations. Look for moments when your child takes a moment before responding, showing deliberate and conscious action. A high score reflects patient and considerate behavior, while a low score may suggest impulsivity and a need to practice intentionality.
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 Component 4: Non-Judgmental Inner Experience
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Non-judgmental inner Experience assesses how a toddler handles mistakes or difficulties. Observe your child’s reactions to mistakes or setbacks – do they accept them with understanding or criticize themselves harshly? A high score indicates resilience and a positive self-image, while a low score suggests a need for teaching self-compassion and understanding.
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 Component 5: Non-Reactivity (Emotional Resilience)
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Non-Reactivity measures how a toddler responds to upsetting situations. Watch for your child's ability to stay calm and recover from distressing events. A high score shows emotional resilience and the ability to bounce back, while a low score indicates struggles with managing emotions and a need for support in building emotional resilience.
We hope that after reading this blog, you should have a much easier time using our Early Learner Mindfulness Scale. For more resources on supporting your child's mindfulness journey, explore our resources tab. Stay tuned for more blog posts and our upcoming digital mindfulness scale test.
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