A new children¡¯s book Mindfulness with Aloha Breath serves as a resiliency resource for Â鶹´«Ã½¡¯s keiki. Thao Le, from the University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹¡¯s (CTAHR) has created a tool to help children practice mindfulness with the incorporation of Hawaiian values of aloha.
Le, a professor in the Department of , partnered with the Â鶹´«Ã½ Department of Human Services¡¯ (DHS) Office of Youth Services to deliver 3,000 copies to six Â鶹´«Ã½ Department of Education area complexes on Oʻahu and Â鶹´«Ã½ Island, as well as 1,000 copies to nonprofit organizations serving youth and families throughout the islands.
Using her new book as a springboard, Le is currently conducting professional training sessions for Â鶹´«Ã½ DHS staff to cultivate resiliency in children across the state.
“I’m so grateful and excited for this opportunity,” she said. “It is a challenging time for all of us to focus on the here and now with patience and kindness. Learning to practice mindfulness by being in touch with one¡¯s feelings and thoughts, to understand how and why they arise and to regulate them, can help reduce the anxiety, increase focus and rejuvenate one¡¯s brain to move forward.”
Mindfulness with Aloha Breath is available directly from or on .
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