Can young kids meditate?

I’m often asked how can I teach young kids meditate? And, at what age can kids start meditating?

My answer….

It depends!

It depends on the child, depends on the meditation, depends on your expectations and on other factors such as the environment, and how the child is feeling that day.

But basically, you can start teaching mediation from the time they are babies.

Before we go any further let’s define what meditation is:

Meditation can be defined as a set of techniques that are intended to encourage a heightened state of awareness and focused attention.

There are a number of different types of meditation types, such as:

• mindfulness meditation

• focused meditation

• movement meditation

• mantra meditation

• transcendental meditation

• progressive relaxation

• loving-kindness meditation

• visualisation meditation

In kids yoga we tend to use movement meditation, mindfulness and focused meditation, progressive relaxation, loving-kindness, and the one of the best meditations for kids - visualisation meditation.

Engaging children’s imagination through visualisation or encouraging children to use their senses through mindfulness meditation are the often the best ways to engage children of all ages, and particularly the younger ones, in meditation.

Tips to set yourself up for success:

• Find a safe, quiet, comfortable place where you and your child/ren won’t be disturbed.

• Have any blankets, soft toys or special things your child/ren need to feel relaxed and safe.

• Meditation should be an invitation not a demand, in young children we are planting seeds it’s important to honour your child/ren’s wishes and accept that they may not want to engage in meditation.

• Children learn through observation. Whether your child/ren want to meditate or not, having your own meditation practice and letting children see you meditating, as well as talking about your meditation practice can go a long way encouraging children to give meditation a go.

• Have realistic expectations for how long a young child can meditate for and to what degree they will be engaged in the meditation - which can change from day to day depending on what is going on for them at the time.

• Choose a meditation that will engage your child/ren, for example, if they are tired let them lie down with warm blankets and choose a bedtime meditation story, or, try a visualisation with their favourite animals in. For fidgety children perhaps a movement meditation such as opening and closing the hands in time with the breath, will keep them focused.

• Experiment! Try a variety of meditation techniques to learn what you and your child/ren enjoy the most.

• And lastly, don’t lose hope if your child/ren seem resistant. Continue with your own practice, let them join in in their own time, and in their own way.

Check out some meditations HERE