If you’ve visited a preschool or early learning centre in Menai or Bangor recently, you might have noticed something different. Alongside the building blocks and finger painting, toddlers are being taught to “take a belly breath” or “check in with their bodies.”
Mindfulness and emotional regulation are no longer considered “extra” activities; they are being recognised as core foundational skills. For families in the Sutherland Shire, understanding the science behind these practices is key to helping toddlers navigate an increasingly fast-paced, digital world.
The “Upstairs” and “Downstairs” Brain
To understand why mindfulness matters, we have to look at how a 2-year-old’s brain is wired. At this age, the amygdala (the “downstairs brain”) is fully functional. This is the part of the brain responsible for big emotions and the “fight-or-flight” response.
However, the prefrontal cortex (the “upstairs brain”), which handles logic and self-control, is still under heavy construction.
- The Meltdown: When a toddler has a tantrum because they can’t have a second biscuit at Menai Marketplace, their “downstairs brain” has taken over.
- The Goal of Regulation: Mindfulness isn’t about stopping the emotion; it’s about building a “staircase” between the downstairs and upstairs brain so the child can return to a calm state more quickly.
Mindfulness: The “Pause Button” for Toddlers
For a child in Lucas Heights or Bangor, mindfulness isn’t about sitting in silence for 20 minutes. It is simply the practice of noticing. By teaching a toddler to notice their breath, the sound of the birds or the feeling of their feet on the grass, we are teaching them to hit the “pause button” on their impulses.
- Improved Focus: In a world of high-speed digital stimulation, mindfulness trains the “attention muscle,” helping toddlers focus on one task at a time.
- Reduced Anxiety: By learning to recognise the physical signs of stress (like a racing heart or “butterflies”), children feel more in control of their bodies.
- Enhanced Empathy: When a child understands their own emotions, they become much better at recognising and respecting the feelings of their peers at playgroup.
Practical Ways to Teach Regulation at Home
You don’t need to be a yoga expert to bring these skills into your daily Shire routine. It’s about small, consistent moments:
- The “Scented Flower” Breath: Ask your toddler to imagine they are smelling a beautiful flower (breathe in deep through the nose) and then blowing out a candle (exhale slowly through the mouth).
- Sensory “Scavenger Hunts”: On your next walk near the Woronora River, ask: “What are three things you can hear right now?” This anchors them in the present moment.
- Label the “Weather”: Use weather terms to describe feelings. “It looks like there’s a bit of a thunderstorm happening in your tummy right now. Should we try some big breaths to let the clouds pass?”
- The “Glitter Jar”: Shake a jar of water and glitter. Tell your child the glitter is like their “busy thoughts” when they are upset. Watch together as the glitter settles to the bottom—this is what happens when we stay still and breathe.
Skills for Life
By prioritising emotional regulation today, you are giving your child the ultimate “school readiness” tool. A child who can manage their emotions is a child who can learn, make friends and face challenges with confidence.
As we raise the next generation in Menai and its surrounds, let’s remember that the ability to find “stillness” is just as important as the ability to read or write. It’s the foundation for a resilient, happy future.