The Mindfulness Matters Program for Children and Adolescents

“This…is a particularly helpful book in that it provides a clearly delineated scope and sequence of activities, providing almost 60 separate mindfulness exercises and divides these exercises into those targeting frequently encountered pathologies namely, anxiety, depression, attentional issues, impulsivity, trauma, neglect, and abuse. This text can be used in any graduate program where mindfulness skills are part of the curriculum. It has a broad focus and can be valuable for practicing clinicians as well as others, be they nurses, social workers, counselors, educators, or psychologists where brief interventions are often needed.”

—Child and Family Behavior Therapy


“Flexibility and structure somehow perfectly coexist within this manual. Another strength is that each activity includes a review of vocabulary with examples for younger and older students. The students learn how to identify judgements, descriptions, emotions, thoughts, and feelings. The focus on the language used is very important in helping students bring awareness and greater processing of their experiences. Mindfulness Mattersactivities also reference the relationship between mindfulness and everyday life….Overall, Mindfulness Matters offers a broad array of activities to ensure that mindfulness is presented to students in interesting and applicable ways….The content within this curriculum would allow for many possibilities as to how to structure whole class as well as small group sequences for a variety of younger and older students with various needs.”

—NASP Communiqué


“Clinicians and teachers are on the lookout for time-tested approaches to introducing mindful awareness practices to children and teens. Drawing on their many years of experience, Semple and Willard address this critical need magnificently. This is the first book to provide a research-based, developmentally appropriate mindfulness program to support recovery, build resilience, and cultivate flourishing in a range of clinical and educational settings. The pathways apply aspects of mindfulness to specific issues, and include instructions for adapting the activities for various contexts and ages.”

—Patricia A. Jennings, PhD, School of Education and Human Development, University of Virginia


“I love this book and will recommend it to every one of the 3,200 schools we work with! This is the definitive guide for every teacher and mental health professional who works with kids. If you are already bringing mindfulness practices to your school or clinic, this book will help you build momentum, engage parents and caregivers, and sustain the positive impact over time. If you are new to mindfulness, this book provides a step-by-step approach for how to introduce the concept to administrators and families and inspire students to join in the practices. Teaching mindfulness is a clear countermeasure to the increasing rates of mental health disorders, stress, and trauma among children and adolescents. This book provides a compelling rationale for educators, mental health professionals, parents, and students to embed mindfulness practices into their daily routines.”

—Laura S. Bakosh, PhD, cofounder, Inner Explorer mindfulness program for PreK–12 classrooms


“Instead of a cookie-cutter approach, Semple and Willard give users a tremendous amount of flexibility to design programs for particular groups of children and teens. The authors smartly provide pathways that address different clinical problems (for example, ADHD, depression) with targeted mindfulness practices. Teachers and therapists alike will find the 'Challenges and Tips,' 'Cautions and Contraindications,' and 'Suggested Practice Activities' extremely helpful. This outstanding book is a valuable tool.”

—Jason Thomas, MS, licensed educational psychologist and mindfulness facilitator, Los Angeles, California


“The format of this book is very practical and easy to navigate. I especially like how the authors make the concepts relatable for children and teens. This book is a powerful tool in helping children of all ages develop the confidence to utilize mindfulness skills. I can see myself incorporating these ideas in my sessions with children who struggle with tolerating the distressing and uncomfortable feelings that accompany anxiety. This book will be a benefit for my practice!”

—Donna DeFazio, LCSW, PsyD, private practice, Pasadena, California


“A 'must-have' resource for any professional who wants to share the adventure of mindfulness with children. Semple and Willard have developed a comprehensive, step-by-step manual. They provide detailed descriptions of engaging mindfulness exercises and activities, starting with the most basic attending skills and culminating in ways to integrate mindfulness into daily life. With an emphasis on safety, Semple and Willard describe adaptations for diverse populations, complete with recommendations regarding possible contraindications and complications.”

—Roger S. Nolan, MA, LMFT, mindfulness-based psychotherapist, South Pasadena, California


“Comprehensive but accessible, this is the book that clinicians and educators interested in sharing mindfulness strategies with youth will reach for again and again. Whether you are looking to create a curriculum from scratch or just want to supplement the practices you already use, there is something in this book for everyone. The foundational information is here, as are thoughtfully designed pathways for addressing specific issues that students may face. The suggested scripts for introducing activities feel natural and easy to implement. This book is now my first choice for giving educators the tools to teach mindfulness to their students.”

—Kristin McKeown, MEd, mindfulness educator and founder, Teaching Balance