Introduction to the Little Minds Approach

Support child development through mindfulness

How can mindfulness support children’s development without adding workload to busy early years settings? The Little Minds approach offers research-backed, playful strategies that integrate seamlessly into EYFS practice.

This course introduces mindfulness principles connected to early childhood development. You’ll explore practical activities that nurture executive function, self-regulation and wellbeing, whilst supporting your own practitioner wellbeing and gaining confidence integrating mindfulness into your setting.

Understand the Little Minds approach and research foundations

Explore why the Little Minds approach was created to tackle challenges facing early childhood settings and Reception classes. You’ll learn what mindfulness means for young children, the crucial role of practitioner wellbeing, and findings from research pilots.

Understanding these foundations helps you recognise outcomes like improved focus, emotional regulation, and deeper learning engagement.

Learn core mindfulness skills for early years practice

Discover six core mindfulness skills that weave into daily routines without adding workload. You’ll explore techniques like noticing, present-moment awareness, non-judgemental curiosity, and responsive practice through video demonstrations.

You’ll also practise leading child-friendly mindfulness invitations that fit naturally into playful learning.

Explore developmental impacts and practical implementation

Examine how mindfulness supports executive function, self-regulation, speech and language development, and co-regulation. You’ll learn to cultivate bodily awareness and create personalised “Little Minds Moments” for classroom use.

You’ll gain a wellbeing toolkit for yourself and clear pathways to develop this approach further in your setting.

This course is ideal for early childhood educators, teachers, managers, TAs, SENDCOs (0-5 years), and parents interested in mindfulness for child development, especially those with little prior mindfulness experience seeking EYFS-specific strategies.

This course is ideal for early childhood educators, teachers, managers, TAs, SENDCOs (0-5 years), and parents interested in mindfulness for child development, especially those with little prior mindfulness experience seeking EYFS-specific strategies.

• Describe the value of Mindfulness practice for staff and children in early years settings
• Demonstate an awareness of the core skills required to integrate into interactions with young children
• Compare the developmental links between executive function, emotion knowledge, self-regulation, speech and language
• Discuss the research that underpins the Little Minds approach and the impact that was seen through its pilot programme