Helping tweens find emotional balance, build resilience, and thrive
A six-week mindfulness class for tweens 10-13, led by Noelle Wittliff, LMFT
Registration is now open for the Spring 2026 Session!
Five Mondays / April 13 – May 11, 2026 / 4:00pm – 5:30pm
Village Home Education Resource Center
Beaverton, Oregon
Class Six Mindfulness Field Trip / Monday, May 18, 2026 / 1:30pm – 3:00pm
Portland Japanese Garden
Register by February 15, 2026 and get $50 OFF with promo code EARLY50
Mindful Tweens PDX welcomes tweens of all gender identities, orientations, races, ethnicities, cultures, backgrounds, abilities, and neurodiverse experiences.
Empowering tweens with confidence, calm, and resilience.
The tween years are full of change, creativity, and possibility. It’s a time when kids begin to explore who they are and how they fit into the world around them. This six-week class is designed to help tweens develop skills to navigate life’s ups and downs with confidence and self-awareness.
Through fun and interactive activities, tweens will learn how to manage stress, understand their emotions, and connect with others in meaningful ways. The class focuses on helping kids feel grounded, supported, and capable of handling the challenges and opportunities that come with growing up.
This engaging and inclusive environment is perfect for kids who are new to mindfulness or just curious about learning new tools to feel more at ease in their daily lives. All that’s needed is a sense of curiosity and a willingness to try!
Why Mindfulness and Self-Compassion?
Because these practices can make a big difference during the tween years!
Mindfulness helps tweens stay grounded and focused as they navigate the ups and downs of daily life. It encourages creativity, sharpens attention, and helps them become more aware of their thoughts, feelings, and surroundings. With mindfulness, tweens can learn how to pause and respond thoughtfully to challenges, rather than reacting impulsively. It also teaches them to connect with others in a kind and authentic way, building stronger friendships and relationships.
Self-Compassion helps tweens feel good about who they are and approach life with more confidence and joy. It encourages them to be kind to themselves (especially when things don’t go as planned) instead of being overly critical. Self-compassion builds resilience, helping them recover from tough moments and see mistakes as chances to grow. By practicing self-compassion, tweens can embrace their unique selves and develop a positive, supportive mindset.
What can your tween expect?
▸ In a warm and welcoming small group setting, we’ll explore mindfulness through fun and interactive activities like guided meditations, movement, games, and creative projects.
▸ Activities such as painting, drawing, journaling, collage, and crafts make learning mindfulness approachable and enjoyable, giving tweens a chance to express themselves while building valuable skills.
▸ Each session is designed to inspire self-reflection, help tweens connect meaningfully with their peers, and provide tools they can use in their everyday lives.
▸ Whether they’re looking to handle stress more easily, stay focused, or build stronger friendships, this class offers a safe and supportive environment to learn and grow.
Participation Is Always Optional 🙂
In this class, all activities—whether it’s meditation, art, movement, or group discussions—are invitational and optional. Tweens are encouraged to participate in ways that feel comfortable to them. Simply observing, listening, or watching is a valid form of participation and can still offer worthwhile benefits. The focus is on creating a safe, supportive environment where each tween can engage at their own pace and in their own way.
Appreciation from the Community
“I feel calm. My favorite parts of class were art and snacks. This class was really fun!”
— SW, age 11
“My daughter found this class enjoyable as she’s entering an age where she’s processing all these emotions that are more complex than ever. I hear her using some of these techniques and she even asked me to stay in the present moment—which totally impressed me!”
— Paige Y.
“I learned how to deal with emotions better. I would recommend this class because it’s fun and it helps you mentally. Noelle and the other students related to the things I said.”
— Student, age 12
“This class helped me to feel less stressed. My favorite parts of class were the art projects and meditations. I would recommend taking this class because it was fun and calm, and I learned a lot.”
— Student, age 13
“I wondered if the class would hold my son’s attention, since he hadn’t shown a lot of interest in mindfulness exercises in the past. I shouldn’t have worried, though! He was excited to go and enjoyed himself each time.I would definitely recommend it to others. The class was varied and engaging.”
— B.A.
“This class helped me to tackle a lot of issues with relationships. If someone was curious about signing up for this class, I would tell them to join! Noelle was really helpful and understanding.”
— MHT, age 12
“I so appreciate your willingness to do this class, Noelle. My son LOVED it! I feel so fortunate he had this opportunity. Introducing kids to these concepts and ideas is hugely beneficial. I loved having the recap emails so I could carry over some of what he was learning at home. He loves mindful eating and has spontaneously coached me through it at dinner multiple times. Thank you so much for all the work you do!”
— Kat B.
“I felt included.”
— Student, age 10
“After taking this class, my child is better at pausing before reacting.This class covered a lot of what my child has been working through. It was all lovely.”
— Parent of an 11-year-old
“Noelle, you are the perfect person to teach these skills to kids. The kids loved the class and you have a natural ease and warmth to you that is infectious! Since taking this class, we have more words and skills to call on when we are moving through life and dealing with hard feelings. Mindfulness and self-regulation are such important skills that we don’t teach or practice enough in society. Thank you, Noelle, we very much appreciate you!”
— Jaq L.
“We deeply appreciate the care and respect that our grandson received. He came away with a greater awareness of himself and a clearer, more positive way to express his emotions. Based on the supportive and encouraging group dynamic, I would absolutely recommend this program to others.”
— Caregiver of a 10-year-old
“He loved being in a place where he could feel safe and share his feelings.”
— Parent of an 11-year-old
Meet Teacher Noelle
Noelle Wittliff, LMFT (she/her)
Noelle is a Certified Mindfulness Teacher, Licensed Family Therapist, and mom of two. With over 20 years of experience supporting kids, teens, and families, she brings a deep understanding of the challenges young people face today. Having grown up in both Asia and the U.S., Noelle draws on her diverse background and three decades of mindfulness practice to inform her work.
Her teaching style is warm, engaging, and relatable, and she’s passionate about making mindfulness and self-compassion practices accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds.
Learn more about Noelle and her work with families:
Mindful Parenting: mindfulparenting.com and noellewittliff.com
Follow her work on Instagram: instagram.com/themindfulpath
Class Curriculum & Themes
Each class will include guided meditations, mindfulness exercises, discussion, sharing, and reflection. Here’s what you’ll learn during the six-week course:
[1] What is Mindfulness? – Discover what mindfulness is and how it can help you feel calmer and more focused. Through fun activities like mindful eating (with raisins or chocolate!) and mindful listening games, you’ll learn how to notice what’s happening in the moment and feel more grounded.
[2] Understanding Thoughts and Feelings – Learn how to notice your thoughts and feelings without letting them take over. Using activities like “Thought Clouds,” we’ll practice being curious about what’s going on inside and finding ways to respond calmly instead of reacting quickly.
[3] Self-Compassion and Kindness – Learn how to be a good friend to yourself! We’ll talk about the power of treating yourself kindly, even when things don’t go as planned. Through activities like making a “Kindness Jar” and designing a self-compassion superhero, you’ll see how being kind to yourself can help you feel happier and more confident.
[4] Building Resilience and Handling Stress – Learn fun and easy ways to handle big feelings like worry or frustration. We’ll practice grounding exercises like the “5-4-3-2-1” senses game and create a “Resilience Toolbox” filled with tools to help you feel more steady and strong.
[5] Mindfulness of Friendships and Screen Time – This week, we’ll explore how mindfulness can strengthen our relationships and support healthy tech habits. You’ll practice listening with full attention and learn ways to show empathy and kindness in your friendships. Through activities like role-playing common friendship challenges, you’ll discover tools for building stronger, more authentic connections. We’ll also look at how screens and devices impact mood and energy—and learn simple ways to stay balanced and in charge of your tech use.
[6] Field Trip to the Portland Japanese Garden – We’ll spend our final class at the Portland Japanese Garden exploring ways to integrate mindfulness into our daily lives. We’ll review key lessons and explore ways to integrate mindfulness into daily routines—whether at school, at home, or with friends.
Note: For our Week Six field trip to the Portland Japanese Garden, the Mindful Tweens and Mindful Teens classes will join together for a shared mindfulness experience.
A note to your tween.
When I was your age, I didn’t know anything about mindfulness, and I wish I had. I didn’t learn these skills until I was a young adult (22, to be exact!), but I often think about how much they would have helped me as a tween. If I’d known how to calm my mind, understand my feelings, and be kinder to myself, I think handling life’s challenges would have felt a lot easier.
That’s why I created this class—so you can start learning these tools now. Mindfulness can help you feel more calm, confident, and ready to handle whatever comes your way. It’s also a great way to connect with others, build resilience, and feel more balanced in your daily life.
This class is a safe and friendly space where you’ll have fun, learn cool mindfulness practices, and discover ways to feel more grounded and strong. If this sounds like something you’d enjoy, I’d love for you to join us!
Kindly,
Noelle
Register for Mindful Tweens PDX
To register for Mindful Tweens PDX with Noelle Wittliff, please fill out the form below. Upon successful registration you’ll receive a confirmation email. No email? Please check your spam. If you still don’t see it, please email noelle@mindfulparenting.com.
Five Mondays / April 13 – May 11, 2026 / 4:00pm – 5:30pm
Village Home
Beaverton, Oregon
Class Six Mindfulness Field Trip / Monday, May 18, 2026 / 1:30pm – 3:00pm
Portland Japanese Garden
$300 / Student
Register by February 15, 2026 and get $50 OFF with promo code EARLY50
Limited to 12 Participants
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Refund & Cancellation Policy
The course fee of $300 per student covers the entire six-session program, regardless of the number of sessions attended. Individual sessions cannot be purchased separately.
If you need to cancel your registration, please contact us by March 1, 2026, to receive a full refund. Unfortunately, we are unable to issue refunds after this date.
Mindful Tweens PDX begins on April 13, 2026.
Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to supporting your teen on this journey!
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Please email Noelle at noelle@mindfulparenting.com with any questions.
