Meditation for Children: Benefits & How to Start

Many parents would like to pursue a conscious lifestyle to help their child lead a healthy, happy and balanced life. Meditation can be a great tool for children for this. But what is the best way to teach children this ancient art of controlling their own mind?

More and more schools around the world are introducing different meditation techniques in their daily activities. Practicing meditation for children can help them to focus on lessons while developing their ability to self-regulate, increasing their self-confidence, and improving their overall behavior. 

Generally, children who regularly meditate for a few minutes a day find it easier to adapt to stressful situations and are able to still easily solve their tasks that await them.

The sooner children start practicing, the better. Already preschool children can easily grasp and follow instructions. However, it is very important only give them playful meditation, to give them room to enjoy the practice and not see it as something they have to do.

Especially in the beginning, you shouldn’t expect too much from them, since at this age, they will still see meditation as a game, not as a serious practice. But if you do practice meditation with them on a daily basis, you will notice subtle changes in them as well as physical and mental relaxation.

Which Positive Changes Can Meditation Bring to Children?

• They become calmer and more balanced
• Their behavior will be more disciplined
• They can concentrate more easily
• They become able to control their anger
• It can help them to fall asleep
• It reduces hyperactivity
• It improves learning ability
• They enjoy and live the present moment

Meditation is not recommended for some children with severe psychiatric illnesses. In this case, first consult your doctor before starting to practice.

How to Start Meditation Practice With Children?

Meditation storybooks written specifically for this purpose can now be found on the shelves of bookstores. These books teach children visualization techniques to help them manage stressful and anxious conditions. Research has shown that regular visualization has a positive effect on health, creativity, improves imagination and thus physical performance.

It helps tremendously if you children can watch you during your own meditation practice, inciting curiosity and interest in trying it themselves. 

Then start with a few minutes of exercise a day. It is important to sit down together with the child in a quiet place. While reclining postures are not always recommended for adults, but they might help children to relax. Before you get started, make sure your kid has no physical needs – like going to the toilet – so you can practice undisturbed.

There are also fabulous guided meditations for children available online. Or you can take them on a journey through their body, concentrating on how each part feels, with your own voice.

Once this works smoothly at home, go out and try it in nature as well. During a walk in a park or forest, raise your child’s awareness to the specific beauty of each season. Raise your awareness of the sounds, listen to the birds singing, feel the sunshine, or watch the clouds. You can take home a fruit or a leaf as a souvenir, which you can dry and preserve.

How Can a Child’s Awareness Be Further Raised?

Many yoga studios, also the best yoga studios in Budapest, offer activities for children. The combined use of yoga and meditation improves their physical and mental health. Here you can read more about why yoga is good for children.

We hope our article was inspiring and, like the evening tale, meditation will be part of your routine with your child. You will get closer to each other and lead your little one on the path of unconditional love.

We wish everyone a pleasant meditation, follow us on Facebook if you’d like to!

barbara