Welcome to part 3 of my mini three parter series of getting to know Zoe Baldwin-Jones your host of Kids' Minds Matter.

From now on you can expect a guest interview then the following week a solo ep with me.

Key Takeaways from this episode:

• Zoe expresses concern about the long waitlists for child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) in the UK, indicating a significant unmet need.
• Zoe highlights the challenges children and teens face today with online abuse, cyberbullying, and social comparison, which can contribute to anxiety and depression.
• Zoe discusses the impact of reduced free play and increased screen time on children's mental health, social skills, and overall well-being.
• Zoe plans to dive deeper into the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's mental health in future episodes.
• Zoe aims to provide practical tools, strategies, and expert insights to help parents, caregivers, and support workers navigate the mental health challenges facing children and teens.

Resources:

• The Anxious Generation book
• Kids and Teens Yoga website: kids-and-teens-yoga.com/free (free resources)
• Contact: hello@kids-and-teens-yoga.com

Welcome to episode 2 - eps 1-3 are intro episodes to give you a background into me, my why and how I am empowered to help you support the kids and teens in your life.

In this episodes I give you some context on how yoga and breathing has supported my own children.

• Zoe discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the "COVID Anxious Generation" of children, describing the changes they experienced like school and business closures, mask-wearing, and increased hand-washing.
• She emphasizes the importance of approaching children's mental health struggles with compassion and open-mindedness, rather than dismissing their concerns.
• Zoe shares how she has used yoga, breathing exercises, and an emotions chart to help her own children navigate anxiety, worries, and other mental health challenges.
• The episode covers the value of validating children's feelings, using a "feelings barometer" to communicate emotions, and making space for open family dialogues about mental wellbeing.
• Zoe guides listeners through a simple breathing exercise and explains how it can calm the nervous system and bring children into the present moment.
• The show notes encourage listeners to check out the free resources available on the Kids and Teens Yoga website and to follow, review, and share the podcast.
• Key action items include implementing daily breathing exercises, using an emotions chart, and having children rate their anxiety levels on a scale.

In the debut episode of the Kids Minds Matter podcast, host Zoe Baldwin-Jones shares her personal journey with discovering yoga and how it has supported her mental health over the years. From first trying yoga as a young teen to relying on it during high-stress corporate jobs and life challenges, Zoe opens up about the transformative power of this ancient practice. Listeners will learn:

• How Zoe first discovered yoga through a VHS tape and how it became a daily ritual
• The impact yoga had on Zoe during periods of burnout, anxiety, and depression in her corporate career
• Why Zoe is so passionate about bringing yoga and mindfulness to kids and teens today
• The many facets of yoga beyond just the physical poses, and how Zoe incorporates these into her work

Zoe also discusses the mental health struggles many young people are facing, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and how yoga-based tools can provide much-needed support.

Whether you're a parent, educator, or simply someone interested in holistic wellness, this episode will inspire you to explore the transformative benefits of yoga and mindfulness. Tune in to hear Zoe's heartfelt story and get excited for the valuable resources and expert guests to come on the Kids Minds Matter podcast.

FREE RESOURCES FOR YOU

Free Resources for Kids’ Wellbeing 🎁

At Kids and Teens Yoga, we believe in making mindfulness and mental health tools accessible to everyone. That’s why we’ve created a collection of free resources designed to support your child’s emotional, physical, and mental well-being. Check out some of our popular freebies below:

• 🧘‍♂️ Self-Love Yoga Nidra for Teens – A calming meditation to boost self-confidence and relaxation.
• 😌 Emotions Chart – Help your child identify and express their feelings with this easy-to-use visual guide.
• 🌙 Sleep Meditation – A gentle meditation to guide your child into a restful night’s sleep.
• 🛌 Sleep Routine Chart – Establish a healthy bedtime routine to create consistent, peaceful sleep habits.
• And so much more!

Head over to kidsandteensyoga.com/free to download these resources and start your child’s journey to mindfulness today!