“Every one of us already has the seed of mindfulness. The practice is to cultivate it.”
~ Thích Nhất Hạnh
The Growing My Garden: Keiki Self-Care Toolkits were created to support parents and caregivers in cultivating “seeds” of mental and emotional well-being in their children, their families, and themselves. Each toolkit contains books, an activity guide, and take-home activities to support a healthy garden of the mind.
There are four themed kits: Soil, Air, Water, and Sunshine.
Soil provides a nourishing foundation for seeds to grow and keeps them grounded through its roots. Recognizing our own emotions builds the foundation for us to grow and manage them. Grounding techniques, mindfulness, and meditation can help us connect with our emotions, and balance our emotional response.
Air provides clean, clear space for seeds to grow. Sometimes we may be overwhelmed with too many thoughts and feelings. Breathing techniques can help us calm and focus our minds, creating space for healthier thoughts and feelings to thrive.
Water nourishes and refreshes seeds/seedlings to help them grow. We need activities that nourish and refresh our minds and bodies. Fulfilling activities are different for everyone: rest, exercise, play, reading, crafting, or any activity that replenishes your spirit.
Sunshine provides warmth and energy to help seeds grow. It is important to give ourselves the same warmth we share with others through kindness and gratitude. Treating ourselves with kind words and affirmations encourages positive thinking habits to grow.
Visit Wailuku Public Library or the Holoholo Bookmobile on Maui to borrow a toolkit. A free toolbox will be given away upon checkout of a toolkit (while supplies last). Decorate and then fill the toolbox with your take-home activity cards, crafts, and keepsakes as reminders of how to self-soothe, practice mindfulness, and cultivate self-awareness and self-love.
Recommended for ages 4 and up. Made possible by grants from mfol.org and the Network of the National Library of Medicine. Created in collaboration with mentalhealthhawaii.org, which provides free mental health tests online at: screening.mhanational.org/screening-tools
To view all the kit contents and book lists, go to librarieshawaii.org/growing-my-garden-keiki-self-care-toolkit/
