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It’s officially back-to-school season! Whether you’re sad about summer ending (raises hand) or just excited to get your children out of the house again, the start of the school year can be a stressful time for everyone in the family. And this year, on top of the typical back-to-school nerves—like adjusting to a new teacher, school, or schedule—kids (and parents) have the additional worry about heading back to the classroom during an ongoing pandemic. If your kids are feeling anxious about the coming school year, Sesame Street is here to help.
The long-running PBS program recently announced a partnership with the Headspace meditation app to teach children about meditation and mindfulness. The program launched a series of meditation videos titled Monster Meditations on its YouTube channel, which cover everything from belly breathing to increasing focus. Additionally, if your child is having trouble falling asleep at night (like many of us), Headspace and Sesame Street have partnered on a new podcast, Goodnight, World!, to help children drift off more easily. I mean, who wouldn’t want to fall asleep to the voices of Elmo, Ernie, and Grover?
Don’t be surprised if your child is already familiar with some of these practices. More schools are incorporating meditation, mindfulness, and yoga practices into their curriculums. And it’s proven to be beneficial. A recent study found that children who practice yoga are better able to manage their emotions. Additionally, children who practice yoga often show academic improvement in the classroom. So, consider this your official invitation to introduce these practices to your children, if you haven’t already. And hey, who doesn’t love sharing their passions with their kids?
Check out one of Sesame Street’s Monster Meditation videos:
See also: 5 Kid-Friendly Animal Poses to Introduce Children to Yoga