Last school year, my daughter surprised me when she casually mentioned that her teacher was leading the class in meditation sessions—and even more surprisingly, she loved it and thought meditation was super cool!
I already had immense respect for her third-grade teacher, who was a fountain of patience and always inspired my daughter to strive for her best. Now, she was imparting one of the most valuable lessons: the art of calming the mind and prioritizing self-care.
It turns out that teaching meditation in schools is becoming quite the trend, and many educators are witnessing its benefits. Meditation helps children manage their emotions, improve focus, and clear their minds. My daughter described it as a refreshing pause in her busy day. She enjoyed the serene atmosphere and found her teacher’s voice soothing. To put it simply: it brought her joy.
At just 9 years old, she has all the sass and eye-rolling you can imagine, so it was pretty awesome that she found something like meditation to be so appealing.
I didn’t think much about her meditation experience until mid-summer when she started having trouble sleeping. Since she was a baby, my daughter has had a mind that buzzes with a million thoughts. While that’s generally a good thing—she’s bright, curious, and enthusiastic—it makes winding down at night a challenge. She would either struggle to fall asleep or wake up too early, unable to doze off again.
So, I took a leap of faith and suggested we try meditating together before bed to see if it would help. I was convinced that meditation was only cool when it came from her beloved teacher, but miraculously, she was all in.
I think it helped that I mentioned we could download some apps to try out (she’s a total techie!). When I added that I had some relaxing essential oils, her excitement peaked. It felt like we were preparing for a special event, and she loved the attention.
Soon enough, we were sprawled on the floor of her cozy room, lights dimmed, covered in essential oils, listening to a children’s meditation app I had found. The session lasted about 10 minutes, and I was in awe that she lay still the entire time.
The meditation itself was fine, but I found it a bit childish. It involved a lengthy narrative about a floating ball, a beach bench, and a meadow—lots of visualization and storytelling. The narrator had a rather peppy tone that I felt might not be fitting for a meditation session, but hey, whatever works, right?
Afterward, my daughter appeared much more relaxed. When I asked her opinion, she said her favorite part was the ball, which was orange with her name in red on it. (Seriously, how cute is that?)
Since then, she’s been eager to meditate almost every night, and sometimes her younger brother joins us. He’s a bit too young to sit still for long—probably only in it for the essential oils—but he manages to be still enough and seems to enjoy it too.
There have been moments when I lie in the dark with both my kids, feeling a profound sense of stillness and connection that I often miss during our busy days. It’s like our family takes a mini-retreat together, even if just for a few fleeting minutes. It has become a meaningful part of our routine, offering a quiet release I never thought was possible with kids around.
My daughter’s sleep has improved too, which is a major win!
So, if you’ve ever considered meditating with your kids, I say go for it! There are tons of apps available, though you might need to experiment a bit to find the ones that suit you (we’ve thankfully moved on from the overly cheerful narrator). You can also explore books on meditation or even guide the sessions yourself.
Here are some tips to get started:
- Choose a Regular Time: Integrate meditation into your routine to avoid any surprises.
- Encourage Participation: Let your child help select meditations and their lengths. Don’t force it if they’re not in the mood.
- Set the Scene: Dim the lights, provide comfy pillows, and use candles or scents that your child enjoys. Create a cozy and inviting atmosphere.
- Be Patient: Don’t expect your child to sit still right away. There might be some fidgeting at first, but that’s okay. With time, they’ll likely adjust.
- Make it Playful: For younger kids, turn meditation into a game. You can practice different breathing techniques and movements, helping them understand their body’s control.
If you think your kids might resist or deem meditation “uncool,” just pick a day to dive in. You might be surprised at how much they enjoy it once they give it a shot.
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Summary
Teaching kids meditation is a growing trend that can help them manage emotions and improve focus. It can be a fun and meaningful part of your family’s routine, offering a peaceful retreat in the midst of daily chaos. Give it a try, and you may be pleasantly surprised by the results!