Mindfulness for parents and childcare professionals
Be the change you want to see in your children.
As a certified instructor with the Academy for Mindful Teaching (AMT) since 2016, I have been trained in the “Mindfulness Works!” method by Dutch therapist Eline Snel, author of the best-selling book Calm and Attentive Like a Frog.
I now offer the programme “Mindful Parenting”, aimed at parents and childcare professionals, which is still linked to AMT as it was developed by Eline Snel. Before being approved, it was first tested for three years with parents.
This approach is a natural continuation of my work with young people. It offers a learning space to develop a more mindful, stable and caring presence in relationships with children and teenagers, without claiming to provide ready-made solutions: rather, it is a personal journey that gradually transforms the way we are, listen and act consciously, rather than reacting.
Mindfulness is defined as conscious attention to the present moment, kind, open and non-judgmental. It invites us to welcome what is there — sensations, thoughts, emotions — without clinging to them or identifying with them.
In education, it is not a magic wand:
- It is not a miracle method,
- It is not a therapy,
- It is not a technique for “successful” parenting.
On the other hand, it offers a daily practice for better understanding how we function: how our thoughts, emotions, fatigue, and automatic responses colour our reactions to children.
And because, sooner or later, we all go through storms — arguments, emotional outbursts, moments when we feel overwhelmed — mindfulness helps us recognise what is happening inside us, at the very moment it is happening.
It is this simple but profound recognition that opens up the possibility of a different kind of presence: more conscious, more composed, more open.
As Jon Kabat-Zinn says:
“You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.”
This training is intended for:
- Parents who wish to develop a conscious presence with their children.
- Educators, teachers, childcare professionals (specialised educators, activity leaders, supervisors) who seek to enrich their support approach.
- Anyone who experiences difficult moments with children: conflicts, parent-child stress, strong emotions, or the feeling of “reacting rather than responding”.
- Those who want to strengthen their confidence and patience, and learn to respond more appropriately in tense situations.
The training course “Mindful Education” is based on the programme “Mindfulness Works! “ designed by Eline Snel for children and adolescents, but adapted for adults and childcare professionals.
It is based on the foundations of the MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction) programme — a scientifically validated approach — adapted to the educational context.
- You will learn to:
- Develop the ability to be fully present to your feelings, thoughts and emotions — both your own and those of the children you support
- Recognise and value each child’s unique temperament and specific needs
- Become aware that children do not only imitate our words or behaviours, but much more what we are on a daily basis
- Adopt a new perspective on every moment spent with them, with more curiosity, openness and less judgement.
- Trust in love and affection: these bonds can repair, heal and strengthen, even when there have been relational wounds.
- Identify your automatic reactions and develop conscious, kind and non-judgmental responses.
- Practise the three pillars of mindfulness:
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- A for Attention to the present moment,
- B for Pause button,
- C for Compassion (for oneself – self-compassion – and for others).
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- The training consists of eight weekly sessions lasting two and a half hours, led by Laurence.
- Followed by a day of silent practice, in the style of classic MBSR, to experience the method more deeply.
- A manual is provided at the beginning of the programme, containing readings, weekly exercises and food for thought.
- Support materials: recommended readings (Calm and Attentive Like a Frog, Close But Not Too Close) + recordings accessible via QR code at the end of the books.
- The gentle power of attention
- The art of observation
- Feeling emotions
- The thought factory
- Stress at the heart of education
- The art of communication
- Compassion and the secret of happiness
- Trust
Then there is the day of silent practice. This day alternates between sitting meditation, walking meditation, lying meditation and free walking outside. The idea is also to share lunch in silence together. This day offers a special opportunity to practise mindfulness in depth and reconnect with yourself.
The training takes place in small groups (maximum 6 participants) to encourage discussion and practice. Feel free to form your own group with friends, relatives or educators who are interested in the subject. We will agree on a day and time that suits you.
At the beginning of the programme, you will be given a manual containing readings and exercises to practise throughout the eight weeks. These exercises are designed to be integrated into your daily life: it is not a question of ‘doing something extra’, but of applying what you already do, with more attention and presence.
Recommended readings include the books Calme et attentif comme une grenouille (Calm and Attentive Like a Frog) and Proche mais pas trop (Close but Not Too Close). The recordings at the end of these books can also be used to support your practice. The goal is to develop your ability to bring your attention back to the present moment, observe your thoughts and judgements, welcome your emotions (including anger) and reconnect with your quiet space, even in the midst of difficult or turbulent situations with the children and adolescents you support.
The manual and exercises allow you to practise progressively, integrating mindfulness into your daily life, strengthening your patience, confidence, and ability to respond consciously rather than react automatically.
The programme costs €540.
This includes the entire course: eight 2½-hour sessions, a full day of silence, and a complimentary book to support practice at home (Calm and Attentive Like a Frog or Close but Not Too Close, depending on the age of the children or teenagers).
The day of silent practice is an integral part of the experience: alternating between sitting meditation, walking meditation, lying meditation, walking outdoors… and a shared lunch in silence, to deepen presence and inner listening.
You will also receive the programme manual, which will accompany you throughout the sessions and between each meeting.
To ensure that the programme remains accessible, payment can of course be spread over several instalments.
“I want to tell you that this training has literally changed my life. I feel much more aware of my mental health since then, and my approach with children has also been profoundly transformed. I use the ‘lifeguard technique’ almost every day and often refocus when I feel myself drifting off into my thoughts.” A, School Nurse