Wendy O'Leary

Spark happiness and positivity with this activity deck for kids (ages 4 to 8), featuring 50 research-backed activities that encourage fun, connection, mindfulness, and self-reflection Did you know that feeling happy is something we can easily learn and grow inside ourselves? Research shows that happiness is a learnable skill--and this playful activity deck teaches children tried-and-true tools for emotional regulation and well-being that will last a lifetime. With a wonderful variety of games and practices, mindfulness educators Wendy O'Leary and Dr. Helen Maffini provide science-backed approaches to encourage positivity, joy, and contentment--while embracing and validating emotions of all flavors. The fifty activity cards are divided into five categories: Shine Sunny ideas focused on playful and fun ways to grow happiness. Connect Nurturing and spreading happiness through connection with ourselves and others. Be Mindful Watering our happiness with mindful ways to soak it in. Dig In Digging in deeper and developing happiness by turning inward. Bloom Encouraging happiness to blossom by integrating it fully into our lives. From going on a sticker hunt in "Hide and Seek Happiness" and crafting "Beads of Balance" to starting a chain reaction of happiness in "Smile Symphony," kids will have fun using these easy-to-follow cards while strengthening their emotional regulation skills.

​​Integrating self-compassion practice into family life is a profound gift that parents can give to their children and to themselves. Here you will learn how to make self-compassion an active practice for the whole family--with over 70 activities, crafts, meditations, and games. Self-compassion--being kind to yourself when things are hard--is a valuable quality for parents to model and to cultivate in their children--and studies show that it also builds emotional resilience. This guide for parents explains the benefits of teaching children about self-compassion, and it offers advice, encouragement, and practices to enrich family life. Wendy O'Leary and Louise Shanagher, who have an extensive background and expertise in mindfulness, children's education, and psychology, introduce the basic concepts of self-compassion, along with the benefits and the research that supports the practice. In communicating self-compassion to children, the authors emphasize the importance of focusing on a child's inherent value rather than on their external achievements and specify the benefits of "self-compassion" over "self-esteem." Crucially, they show us that self-compassion also includes an embodied, felt sense of deep care and love for ourselves.

This sweet book teaches children 3-7 the simple and profound power of self-compassion through simple affirmations that can be repeated when things are hard. All too often kids get down on themselves when they experience things that make them sad, angry, guilty, or jealous. It's amazing how powerful it can be to move past a difficult emotion when we think about all the other people feeling that same way and show ourselves some much need kindness. Sometimes I have to do something I don't want to do. I feel really angry. . . . Then I remember that everyone feels angry sometimes. I put my hand on my heart, and here's what I say: "It's OK--I love you. I'm with you today." The main story is followed by 10 exercises focused on ways to develop self-compassion, such as Kind Voice, Kind Body, Kind Touch, and Hugging Breath.