Monkinya

Research shows that the same activity can have completely different outcomes for children’s well-being depending on whether they see it as play or not. When children perceive something as play, they experience more autonomy, confidence, and joy: the very foundations of emotional well-being.

This connects beautifully with BC’s Early Learning Framework, which views play as the basis of learning, and with research reminding us that adults have a critical role in creating playful opportunities.

At Monkinya, we put theory into practice by making yoga and mindfulness playful and fun; because children learn best through joy and meaning.

📚 References:

Howard & McInnes (2012) The impact of children’s perception of an activity as play rather than not play on emotional well-being

Solis, Liu & Popp (2020) Learning to cope through play – Lego Foundation

Government of BC (2019) Early Learning Framework

Bedtime routines are essential for children, and we’ve tried many. Some helped, most didn’t last.

Then Roger the Rabbit 🐰 hopped onto our shelf and things changed. 🌙

The Rabbit Who Wants to Fall Asleep feels more like a gentle bedtime script than a story. Its slow rhythm calms me as I read, and here’s the magic: my daughter now brings it over herself, asking, “Can we read the sleepy rabbit?” 😴

That tiny question shows she’s noticing when she’s tired. Spotting and meeting her own need for sleep is a big step toward self-regulation. (There are numerous studies on this, which I will share next!)

So our nights are simple now: PJs, bunny book, lights low. Some evenings still burst into giggles, songs and never-ending stories, but now this book signals it is time for bed. 💚 And I’ll take it 🤗

Next post, I’ll dive into the research on how mindfulness and emotional regulation support better sleep and continue sharing our favourite 🙃 Stay tuned!

I created Bring Mindfulness into Your Home back in 2017 — before I became a parent myself. At the time, I was working closely with children and families and saw how simple mindfulness practices could help children feel more grounded, connected, and emotionally supported.

Since then, the workshop has slowly evolved — shaped by the many families I’ve crossed paths with over the years, and by my own learning around how these practices actually live inside real homes, in the middle of everyday noise, mess, and beautiful chaos.

Next week, I’ll be offering it again — as a free, in-person session in Vancouver.

🗓 Wednesday, June 25
🕡 6:30–8:00 PM
📍 Canadian Memorial Church

This workshop is for parents and caregivers who are looking for gentle, practical tools to bring more calm and connection into family life — through breath, movement, art, and daily rituals that feel doable.

✨ You can register through the link in my bio.
Space is limited.

Thank you for your beautiful words 🧡

“Did you have fun?”
It’s the question we all default to after kids’ yoga—but it shrinks the practice down to pure entertainment and stops the conversation before it starts.
Kids’ yoga can be calm‑finding, courage‑building, body‑wise magic ✨ if we ask the right follow‑ups.
Enter the S.O.C.K. question (Specific • Open‑ended • Creative • Kid‑friendly)

💌 Want the full PDF with 33 questions for ages 7 +? Comment “QUESTIONS” and I’ll DM the download link.
S.O.C.K. framework inspired by .co and shared here with permission.

Ordinary moments that are not so ordinary. Slow, intentional and everything I once dreamed of. 🤍