Great Info on Mindfulness and Meditation for Kids

To answer this question, it is first essential to ask: Why does anyone meditate? Meditation is an ancient practice in Eastern religious traditions and is most commonly associated with Buddhism. Buddhist philosophy incorporates many forms of meditation in spiritual development toward enlightenment. The West, however, has popularized mindfulness meditation as a practice that can be separated from any particular belief system.

Mindfulness meditation is drawing awareness to the present moment – typically focusing on the breath and senses – and attempting to separate oneself from the thoughts that usually control us. Western science is finding that this type of meditation offers many benefits for conditions such as high blood pressure, anxiety, depression, insomnia, smoking cessation, mental illnesses, and digestive issues. Meditation has been shown to cause physical changes in brain structure that can improve overall health and well-being.

The term “mindfulness” is often used interchangeably with meditation. It can also refer to components of a mindful lifestyle that one adopts outside of their direct meditation practice, such as eating, drinking, resting, moving one’s body, or enjoying nature mindfully. The more one engages in mindfulness meditation, the easier it will be to be more mindful and present in all areas of life. A conscious lifestyle allows a person to take full advantage of their consciousness and avoid the negative thinking loops in which we tend to get stuck.

There are many reasons that children might be introduced to meditation and mindfulness. First, learning to meditate and become in tune with one’s mind early in life has many advantages. Many people consider a meditative practice life-changing and wish to have discovered it sooner. By teaching the kids in your life to meditate and be mindful, you are equipping them with valuable skills and setting them up for success as adults. In addition to developing healthy patterns for the future, meditating can have many direct advantages to a child’s life.

How Do You Calm Down Kids?

These days, kids are facing large amounts of anxiety and stress. This stress can result from academic pressure, home environment, and other anxieties. In addition, the advancement of technology has resulted in nearly constant sensory stimulation through devices and screens. Meditation allows children to feel a sense of peace and stillness amid this chaos and has been shown to help children relax by reducing stress levels and easing anxiety. Meditation can be a great way to calm down children with excess energy, especially before bedtime.

Meditation for Children’s Behavior

Meditation can also solve behavior problems and behavioral conditions in children. According to Childmind, meditation can help tremendously with challenges such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism, depression, anxiety, and anger management issues. Meditation fosters self-acceptance, which allows children with these challenges to be less emotionally and behaviorally reactive. Instead, kids can redirect their negative thinking into more positive behavior outcomes. Instead of constantly punishing children, allow them to learn and grow for themselves by teaching them to meditate.

Does Meditation Help with School?

Academic difficulties are distressing for the entire family, and parents may need help to improve the situation. Often, children are criticized for their failure to meet academic expectations, which can easily take a toll on their self-confidence and overall mental health. Problems in school performance are often related to a child’s emotional health, so meditation can be beneficial. By reducing behavior problems and improving attention, kids can better focus on learning while at school.

Can Toddlers Meditate?

How young is too young to start meditating? Children have a hard time sitting still and remaining focused on something. Most will be receptive to and able to understand meditation practice once they reach adolescence. Of course, this will vary between children, but it is a rough guideline. However, this is not to say that aspects of mindfulness and meditation (such as taking deep breaths or sitting quietly for a few minutes) cannot be demonstrated to younger children and even toddlers. Even very young children can benefit from exposure to meditation.