Description The 'Mindfulness Meditation Phenomenon' Sweeping Education in the UK, US, Europe, and Korea 'Mindfulness' means paying attention, with curiosity and without judgment, to what is happening in the present moment. The practice that trains this state of mind is called 'mindfulness meditation.' According to a 2017 survey by the UK's National Health Service, 1 in 8 students aged 5-19 in Britain showed signs of mental health struggles. Recognizing the seriousness of this issue, the UK government pushed to bring mindfulness activities into public education, and 370 schools across the country began teaching children the importance of mental health through meditation programs such as breathing exercises and muscle relaxation techniques. In the United States as well, elementary, middle, and high schools have encouraged mindfulness practices in recent years to boost students' well-being and build resilience against stress. Mindfulness is already being practiced in Korean education too. Since its founding, Minjok Leadership Academy has offered meditation classes to students, and individual teachers—such as those at middle schools in Gwangjin-gu—have voluntarily introduced mindfulness lessons into their classrooms. Most students who have completed mindfulness programs report that practicing meditation during high-stress moments helped them calm their minds and maintain focus. Schools, teachers, and parents don't always have the answers to every problem a child faces, because each child experiences emotional challenges differently and needs different ways to overcome them. As children grow into adults, they encounter environments filled with competition and mounting stress. Learning to properly look at and handle the many emotions that arise within them will help them grow into even more wonderful adults. True growth begins with taking care of both body and mind. 'Mindfulness': Emotional Education That Helps Children Face Their Feelings and Build the Strength to Think for Themselves How many children could easily answer the question, 'How are you feeling today?' Our minds hold thoughts, emotions, and memories, but unlike our bodies, the mind is invisible and cannot be touched—making it hard to express clearly. To care for this invisible mind, mindfulness is essential. The authors of this book, the Mindfulness Playground team, describe mindfulness as 'becoming aware of myself and the world around me.' Mindfulness isn't as difficult as it sounds—it simply means looking closely at your body's sensations, emotions, thoughts, what's in front of you, the people beside you, and the place where you live. Practicing mindfulness helps children learn to read their own emotions. When feeling angry, sad, or uneasy, kids can revisit their feelings using the book's 'Heart Purifier Breathing' and 'Watching Your Breath with a Tissue' exercises. The 'Wiggling Fingers and Toes Dance Party' activity helps children feel their body's sensations while building attention and focus. Through activities like 'Drawing Today's Emotional Weather' and 'Making a Thought Cloud,' children learn to notice and clearly express their feelings and thoughts. When children can read their own emotions, they can also understand the feelings of others. Through activities such as the 'Kindness Piggy Bank' and 'Baking Love Cookies,' they learn to share the love and kindness within themselves with others. Let's help children create more space in their hearts so they can enjoy inner peace and happiness without being overwhelmed by negative emotions. The habits, behaviors, and mindset children build through mindfulness will make their future lives more meaningful and valuable. "What's happening in my body and mind right now?" 30 Mind Exercises from Mental Wellness Experts to Help Children Grow Strong 《My Heart Is Precious: 30 Mind Exercises to Make Me Stronger》 is a picture book that helps children manage their own emotions, boost self-esteem, and grow up healthy and happy. The book was written by the Mindfulness Playground team, a group of mindfulness experts who work directly with young children, supporting those who struggle with unfamiliar emotions and caring for their emotional well-being.