Mindfulness for your kids

[JulieTumelty]

Hello,

I’m Julie and I am a mindfulness teacher for children between the ages of 7 and 11 years old. I’m hoping some of you could give me some feedback on my pitch to start a business in this area. Positive notes, negatives, any suggestions. Whatever it is I would love to hear it. My pitch is,

Within the last 3 years in Northern Ireland there has been a 21% increase in the number of children experiencing anxiety, depression or any other mental illness. This needs to change. My name is Julie and I feel I can provide your children with the right tools and skill sets that can benefit them for the rest of their lives, should they be in a difficult situation or change happens, they will already be equipped to cope as they have the knowledge and skills. I myself have suffered from anxiety and depression and the only thing that could pull me out of that hole was mindfulness. Please get it touch if it is something you would be interested in.

Thanks,
Julie

I would want to know what your qualifications were.

I wouldn't want to know too much about your anxiety and depression - more 'I have direct experience of the benefits of mindfulness as the practice has improved my own life dramatically, which inspired me to train' or similar.

There are a lot of mindfulness classes for children so you are trying to break into a busy market. My son's primary school has a teacher come in to offer it as an after school activity from P1. It's very popular. There was no mention of mental health in their pitch, just helping children build resilience and learn to switch off from our over busy/ tech heavy world.

Some examples of marketing that will get attention are targeting P6 children with coping techniques for getting through the transfer test. Contact local schools and youth clubs, scouts etc and offer free taster sessions in the new year, hand out flyers at these.
Good luck.
We definitely need to help our young people, the number of suicides I've heard of in Belfast over Christmas is horrendous.

Thank you both very much for getting back to me. I will definitely take your points on board. I really appreciate it.

I agree with your example about the transfer test and think that is an important age to target. I am also going to target children who are transitioning from primary school to secondary school. Thanks

If instead of giving generic example 'mindfulness will help when need' I would suggest give direct example 'starting a new school or moving to senior school etc'. It might help people see better exactly where you can help their kids.

Okay I’ve taken everything yous have said on board, is this one better?

Welcome to Julies Mindful Minis and thank you for visiting this page. My name is Julie Tumelty, I have completed The Youth Mindfulness Kids Programme Teacher Training. I have the skills and practice to assist your children in building their resilience and using the right methods and skill sets that can benefit them for the rest of their lives. An example of when this would be beneficial is during the transitioning from primary school to secondary school. I myself have found mindfulness beneficial through my own practice, it has had a massive impact on the direction on my life, inspiring me to become a mindfulness teacher. Please get it touch if it is something you or your friends would be interested to hear more.

Our junior school (along with many others in our area) have bought into a programme called My Happy Mind. Have you heard of it?
I’d want to know what you offer that differs.

Your blurb is fine but like a previous poster I would want to know your qualifications. Completing training in mindful teaching wouldn't be enough, I would want either a qualified teacher with experience in the age group you want to work with or at least a psychology degree if not post grad. I would expect your website to have an "about me" section giving that information. Good luck.

Okay. So I have just spent the past year working with children and families effected by cancer, I worked for a charity called cancer fund for children and throughout my time there I facilitated and co facilitated mindfulness based workshops and arts and crafts activities. I’ve completed an 8 week MBSR mindfulness course also with is the foundation of mindfulness. I have a level 4 in health and social care and level 2 youth work qualification so I’d say I’m qualified enough to work with the ages of 7 and 11 in teaching mindfulness. I will grow and develop more qualifications along the way to expand my knowledge further. Would that be enough to sway you?