CHILDREN & TEENAGERS
Mindfulness for Learning & Wellbeing
Growing up today isn't always easy. Alongside the joys of childhood come increasing pressures: school, friendships, family life, social media, and the challenge of understanding and managing emotions. Some children also experience the world differently because of neurodivergence, while others simply need a little extra support to flourish.
Mindfulness offers children and teenagers practical tools they can use every day. It helps them develop focus, emotional regulation, self-awareness, resilience, and self-confidence—skills that support not only their wellbeing but also their ability to learn, build relationships, and navigate life's challenges.
At BridgeMaker Mindfulness, I teach mindfulness as a practical life skill. Through engaging activities, mindful movement, games, stories, and guided practices, children learn to recognise what's happening in their minds and bodies and discover strategies that help them respond rather than react.
My sessions are inclusive and adaptable, drawing on both professional expertise and lived experience of neurodiversity. They are designed to support neurodivergent and neurotypical children alike, meeting each child where they are and helping them build on their own strengths.
Whether through mindfulness courses, one-to-one sessions, or mindfulness-informed French tuition, my aim is always the same: to help children feel calmer, more confident, better able to learn, and more connected to themselves and those around them.
THE BRIDGEMAKER APPROACH
My work is inspired by the Mindfulness Matters programme developed by Eline Snel, one of the pioneers of mindfulness for children, whose work is rooted in Jon Kabat-Zinn's Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) approach.
Over the past seven years of teaching mindfulness in schools and working with hundreds of children, teenagers and families, this foundation has evolved into my own programme. While remaining true to the core principles of mindfulness, I have developed and enriched it with evidence-informed practices that reflect the needs of today's young people.
My sessions integrate mindfulness with emotional regulation, confidence-building, neurodiversity-informed adaptations, PSHE themes, Nonviolent Communication, and practical strategies that help children develop focus, resilience, self-awareness and healthy relationships.
The result is a flexible, inclusive programme that supports both wellbeing and learning, meeting each child where they are and helping them build on their own strengths.
Group Programmes & 1-to-1 Support
My programmes are designed to help children and teenagers develop practical skills that support both their wellbeing and their learning. Sessions are engaging, structured, and adapted to each age group, combining interactive activities, gentle mindful movement, discussion, and short guided practices. Each session builds on the previous one, allowing children to develop their skills progressively in a fun, supportive, and inclusive environment.
Where: Schools in Central London or private practices in South West London
Format: Weekly programmes – 8 weeks for children, 10 weeks for teenagers
Mindfulness for Learning & Wellbeing in Schools
Today's schools are expected not only to support academic achievement, but also pupils' wellbeing, personal development and emotional resilience. Since the introduction of the 2019 Ofsted Education Inspection Framework, schools have placed increasing emphasis on developing confident, emotionally literate learners who are ready to thrive both in and beyond the classroom. The BridgeMaker Approach uses mindfulness as a practical tool to support learning, emotional regulation and wellbeing. Inspired by the pioneering work of Eline Snel and enriched through seven years of classroom teaching, it has evolved into my own programme, integrating neurodiversity-informed practice, PSHE themes, confidence-building, compassionate communication and practical strategies that children can use every day. Sessions are engaging, inclusive and adapted to the age and needs of each class. Through stories, movement, discussion and experiential activities, pupils develop greater focus, self-awareness, emotional regulation, resilience and respectful relationships—skills that support both wellbeing and learning. Programmes can be delivered as whole-class courses, small-group interventions, one-to-one sessions or staff workshops, and are tailored to the needs and priorities of each school. I also offer mindfulness courses and wellbeing workshops for teachers and school staff, helping them build practical strategies for resilience, communication and preventing burnout. If you'd like to explore how the BridgeMaker Approach could support your pupils, staff or wider school community, I'd be delighted to hear from you.
Group Programmes for Children & Teenagers
I am not currently running group mindfulness programmes for children or teenagers. However, I would be delighted to create one if there is sufficient interest from a group of families. A course can be organised for friends, classmates, or members of a school or local community, providing a safe and supportive space where teenagers can develop practical skills for managing stress, strengthening emotional regulation, improving focus, and building confidence. Each programme is tailored to the needs and ages of the participants and draws on The BridgeMaker Approach, combining mindfulness with emotional wellbeing, neurodiversity-informed practice, confidence-building, and compassionate communication. If you'd like to organise a course for a group of teenagers, I'd be happy to discuss how we could create a programme that works for your families.
1-to-1 Support for Children & Teenagers
Every child is unique. Some need support with managing emotions, building confidence or coping with anxiety. Others struggle to focus, feel overwhelmed by school, or learn in ways that aren't always recognised in traditional educational settings. My one-to-one sessions provide a calm, personalised space where children and teenagers can develop practical skills for emotional regulation, self-awareness, resilience and learning. Using The BridgeMaker Approach, I combine mindfulness with evidence-informed strategies that support attention, confidence, communication and wellbeing. Sessions are individually tailored and may be particularly beneficial for neurodivergent children and young people, while remaining equally valuable for neurotypical learners. Drawing on both professional expertise and lived experience of neurodiversity, I adapt each session to the child's strengths, interests and preferred way of learning. Depending on each child's needs, sessions may focus on: - emotional regulation and managing anxiety - attention, focus and executive functioning - confidence and self-esteem navigating friendships and social situations - coping with change and life transitions - mindfulness-informed support for learning, including French Sessions are available in person and begin with a conversation with parents to understand your child's needs and agree on the most appropriate approach. If you'd like to explore whether 1-to-1 support would benefit your child, I'd be delighted to arrange an informal conversation.
