Last school year, my daughter, Mia, caught me off guard when she shared that her teacher was introducing the whole class to meditation. Not only did she enjoy it, but she also thought it was quite cool—a surprising twist for a typical 8-year-old. I already held a great deal of admiration for her second-grade teacher, who exuded patience and inspired Mia to excel. Now, she was imparting one of life’s essential skills: the ability to calm the mind and embrace self-care.
It seems that teaching meditation in schools is gaining traction, with many educators recognizing its numerous benefits. Meditation helps children manage their emotions, enhances their focus, and promotes mental clarity. Mia described it as a refreshing pause in her daily routine. She appreciated the tranquility it brought to the classroom and found her teacher’s soothing voice comforting. Simply put, it brought her joy.
As summer rolled in, Mia began experiencing difficulties with sleep. Throughout her life, she has possessed a mind that buzzes with thoughts. Generally, this is a wonderful trait—she’s bright, curious, and engaged. However, it can make winding down a challenge, particularly at night when she struggles to fall asleep or wakes up too early and can’t drift back off.
With that in mind, I decided to suggest that we try meditating together before bedtime. I initially thought the idea would only resonate if it came from her teacher, but to my surprise, she was eager to give it a shot. I think the technology angle helped; I mentioned we could download some meditation apps to explore. When I added that we could use some calming essential oils, she was all in. It felt like we were preparing for a special occasion, and she loved the excitement.
So there we were, lying on the floor of her cozy room, lights dimmed, both of us infused with essential oil, and listening to a children’s meditation app I had downloaded. The session lasted about ten minutes, and to my amazement, Mia remained completely still the entire time.
The meditation itself was a bit simplistic, with a narrative about a floating ball and various dreamy scenarios. The narrator’s overly cheerful tone felt a bit off for a meditation session, in my opinion. However, when we finished, Mia appeared genuinely more relaxed. I asked her what she thought, and she enthusiastically shared that she loved the part about the ball. It was orange and had her name written on it—how adorable is that?
Since then, she has requested to meditate almost every night. Sometimes her younger brother, Leo, joins us. He’s still a bit too young to stay still for long, but I suspect he’s mostly in it for the essential oil. Nevertheless, he holds still just enough and seems to enjoy the experience as well.
Lying there in the dark with both my kids, I often feel a deep sense of stillness and connection that’s hard to come by during our busy days. It’s like we’re taking a family retreat, even if only for a few minutes daily. This experience has added a meaningful dimension to our evenings—a much-needed respite I never believed could exist with little ones around.
Mia has been sleeping better too, which is an added bonus. So if you’ve ever considered introducing meditation to your children, I wholeheartedly encourage you to give it a try. There are numerous apps available for your phone, and it might take a few attempts to find the right fit (we’ve thankfully moved on from the overly cheery voice). You can also find books on the subject or even narrate your own sessions.
Here are a few tips to consider:
- Choose a Consistent Time: Establish a routine for meditation so it becomes a familiar part of your day.
- Involve Your Child: Let them pick the meditations, session lengths, and don’t force it if they’re not in the mood.
- Set the Scene: Dim the lights (but not too dark if they’re afraid), provide a comfy pillow, and use calming scents that they enjoy.
- Be Patient: Understand that it might take time for your child to adapt to sitting still. There may be some fidgeting, but that’s perfectly normal.
- Make it Enjoyable: For younger kids, turn meditation into a fun activity by exploring concepts like quietness versus loudness or experimenting with slow and fast breathing.
If you think your kids might resist the idea of meditation or label it as “uncool,” just pick a day and dive in anyway. You may be pleasantly surprised by how much they enjoy it once they give it a try. For more insights on parenting and wellness, check out our article on the topic here, and if you’re considering at-home insemination, visit Make a Mom for quality products. For further information on pregnancy and home insemination, Rmany is an excellent resource.
In summary, meditation with kids is more approachable than it may seem. It can foster emotional regulation, focus, and relaxation, offering both parents and children a peaceful retreat from the daily grind. Give it a shot!
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