Meditation for Children: Why its Important and How to Encourage Meditation
We have heard many stories of children traumatised by the events of our world, or their lives, perhaps struggling with anxiety, depression, or stress and not knowing how or where to turn to feel better, or to simply cope. Many children and young teens struggle with school attendance, overwhelm, dealing with their emotions, bullying, online experiences, and other external pressures.
Today more than ever children need to learn the skill of turning inward via meditation, of quieting their being enough that they can restore and heal, rest, reignite, and re-emerge back into their world with renewed strength, hope, and their innate sense of fun, delight, curiosity and adventure.
Benefits of children meditating include relaxation, self-regulation, resilience, reduced anxiety and more.
Benefits of Children Meditating
Meditation is a strategy that has been proven to assist children to self-regulate, build resilience, reduce anxiety, increase attention, relax, and feel happier.
Regular time spent in meditation may:
Foster within your child a stronger sense of self,
Give them a tool and skills to deal with everyday stressors and set them up with a healthy and beneficial habit for life,
They may develop precious regard for their own inner beauty, creativity, light and joy,
It may awaken their empathy and compassion for others, and
May also give them opportunity to find clues to the life they are emerging within and creating for themselves.
How to Help your Child Meditate
To support your child when preparing for and during meditation, parents and caregivers can:
Encourage your child to create a comfortable space to meditate. This may be their bed, the couch, the floor, or outside somewhere in nature. Somewhere they feel safe and secure and there are few distractions.
Encourage your child to place their hands on their body somewhere comfortable (e.g., chest, belly or behind their head) as they settle into meditation. Your child may naturally do this - please do not force them. This can be quite self-soothing and assist them to connect to themselves and to relax.
Encourage your child to be mindful of others and not disturb siblings or friends during meditation time. Some children will rest very deeply in meditation, and it is best they have the space, comfort, and respectful opportunity to do this.
Help them find their way, as each child will be different. Children may wish to snuggle in the arms of a parent or guardian, or under the covers of a blanket, adding to their sense of safety. Do not be concerned if they wriggle around as they meditate, or even get up and move around, this is common for young children and they may need movement to get the most out of their meditation experience, or to feel safe.
When is the Best Time for a Child to Meditate?
Depending on the needs and/or preferences of your child and family, it may be best to meditate:
At routine times of the day (e.g., upon waking, before napping or at bedtime)
When your child is experiencing or needing to focus on something (e.g., calm anxious thoughts or unwind after a busy day)
Guided Meditations for Children
Our guided chlldren’s meditations have been designed to give your child space and time for themselves - to rest, heal, restore, and use their imagination.
The meditation titles and summaries below will help you choose what might be suitable or alternatively, your child may like to choose the meditations themselves as they often know instinctively which one to listen to.
My Beautiful Heart Children’s Meditation - A beautiful meditation for children to help them relax and reconnect with themselves and discover the magic of their own heart.
My Sacred Place Meditation for Children - guided meditation helping the child to relax their body, emotions and mind before journeying to their Sacred Place. Resting in their safe and sacred place, they may drift off to sleep and dream, or choose to return to their body, rested and restored.
Good Morning Children’s Meditation - this meditation is most suited for a child still waking up, in bed, or having a quiet or difficult morning… An opportunity to think about their day ahead, and to imagine… how they would like it to be.
View all our Children’s Meditations.
Children can learn to use Reiki to nurture themselves and others. Read full article for details plus read what children had to say after taking a Reiki class.