How to prepare a child for school. Developing social-emotional skills.

If you are raising or teaching preschool-aged children, you know from your own experience how difficult it can be to motivate them to work quietly and attentively, even if the lesson is fun and engaging. The preschool age itself can be a challenging transitional period in a child's life. And for children who differ from others in learning abilities, motor skills, social skills, speech development level, as well as intellectual or cultural characteristics, everyday activities and types of educational activities that are easy for their peers can be extremely difficult. If your charges find it difficult to control their emotions and actively engage in learning activities, the tools from this mindfulness guide can help you. The author's OpenMind program described in this book will help children cope with stress, understand and experience difficult emotions, and positively interact with others. Children will also learn how to recover from difficult experiences, be attentive and focused, and participate more actively in social and educational processes. "As a practicing physician and mother of four children, I have used these practices and processes day by day in my personal and professional life and can attest to the many times I have seen the benefits they bring to children. My OpenMind program has been greatly improved thanks to feedback from teachers who have used it and researchers who have evaluated its effectiveness, acceptability, and results for teachers and their students."