Mindfulness is word that seems to be everywhere now.

But while most of us know by now how beneficial embracing relaxation techniques can be for adults, what about children?

Researchers have found that mindfulness can have positive effects for youngsters too.

It's not surprising, then, that a number of schools across the UK have already started adding the practice to the curriculum.

Mindfulness is a type of meditation where you shift your awareness to focus on what you're sensing and feeling in that present moment. It can involve breathing methods, guided imagery, and other techniques to help relax the body and mind and help reduce stress responses.

"I've been a teacher for 20 years and have witnessed first-hand increasing stress levels among children," says Uz Afzal, a primary school teacher who has written a new book on the topic, called Mindfulness For Children.

Here, are three simple exercises you can try with your children...

1. Balloon breathing

Ask your child to place their hands on their abdomen. "Tell them to imagine that they have a small balloon in their belly and that each time they breathe in, the balloon blows up, and each time they breathe out, the balloon deflates.

"As they breathe in, they can say to themselves in their head, 'Blow up balloon', and as they breathe out, they can say, 'Let all the air out'."

You should continue this for about 30 seconds to three minutes, depending on the age and attention span of your child.

2. Eat like a scientist

"Choose a piece of food to share with your child," she instructs, noting that fruit or dried fruit works well. "Now we're going to pretend to be scientists. Take a moment to investigate what your food looks like. What colour is it? What shape is it? What else can you notice about the way your food looks?

"Next, let's use our imaginary microscope. Looking really closely, can you see any patterns or lines on this food?"

In the same way, she says you should also both explore the texture of your food. You can do this either by looking at your food or touching it.

"Take a piece of this food and hold it under your nose," says Afzal. "Take a deep breath in. How does it smell?"

Next, put the food on your tongue and use your scientist's taste buds to explore further. "How does it feel in your mouth? Notice the shape and texture. Does it taste of anything?"

At this point, you can slowly begin to chew your food, all the time using your scientist's skills to notice how the taste, shape and texture are all changing.

3. The grateful gaze

"This next practice is a lot of fun. It helps your child to notice what they have to be grateful for, wherever they are," says Afzal.

"Tell them to take a moment to be still and focus on the breath in their belly. Now ask them to look around the space you are in, you might be in their bedroom, or another room of the house, on a journey or outdoors."

When practising mindfulness, Afzal says to remember to have fun and keep it breezy - the idea is that your child enjoys spending time slowing down and doesn't view mindfulness as another thing to worry about on their to-do list.

Mindfulness For Children by Uz Afzal is published by Kyle Books, priced £14.99. Available now (octopusbooks.co.uk).