Mindfulness is paying attention to what is happening right now, in the present moment and not reacting to it. It may be what you’re feeling, hearing, seeing, tasting, etc. There’s no calm place you need to reach, though inner calm and balance often comes as a consequence of being mindful. It’s not about clearing your mind either, it’s just an honest and kind look at what you’re experiencing right now.  

It helps shape three critical skills developed in early childhood: paying attention and remembering information, shifting back and forth between tasks, and behaving appropriately with others. These executive functions are essential for more advanced tasks like planning, reasoning, problem-solving, and positive social relationships.