Benefits of meditation for children

What Are the Benefits of Meditation for Children?

Children can practice meditation from an early age so that it becomes a habit and part of their daily routine as they grow into teenagers and adults. This, of course, depends on the parents’ awareness of the importance of meditation for both adults and children, and their commitment to helping their children acquire this skill to bring peace and calm into their lives and future. Here are some of the main benefits of meditation for children:

• Meditation helps improve children’s memory capacity by developing their ability to retain, process, and deal with information effectively.
• It enhances academic performance at school by developing reading, writing, and math skills.
• Increases focus and attention while reducing distractions.
• Improves empathy and tolerance skills toward oneself and others.
• Enhances the quality and duration of sleep.
• Reduces behavioral problems in children.
• Calms the nervous system and reduces stress hormones in the body.
• Improves eating disorders and childhood obesity.

Meditation Techniques for Children

Various basic and advanced meditation techniques help children gain the full benefits of meditation and achieve its highest purpose. Here are a few suggested techniques you can try with your children:

• Comfort

You may wonder how to start teaching meditation to your child. First, understand that your child’s comfort during and before meditation is very important. It’s preferable to let your child move around a bit—run, play, or dance for a few minutes—before starting. Then, help them settle down gradually and let them choose the position that suits them best. They don’t have to sit cross-legged—they can lie on their back, sit with their legs crossed, or any comfortable position.

• Breathing

Let your child take the lead. They can lie down, place one hand on their stomach and the other on their chest, and observe their breathing. Help them hear their breath by counting out loud—inhale for 2 counts, pause for 3, and exhale for 4—and repeat several times.

Ask your child what feels more comfortable—keeping their eyes open or closed during breathing practice. After the session, ask how they feel: happy, relaxed, anxious, or scared? Identifying and naming these emotions is the essence of meditation and mindfulness.

• Storytelling

Storytelling is a gentle and enjoyable way to teach meditation, especially during bedtime. Let the child lie on their back, place their hands on their stomach, and tune into their breath as mentioned before. Then begin telling them a story involving their friends, toys, or anything they love, helping them feel calm and focused in the moment.

Speak softly and describe how relaxed they are as they lie on their comfy pillow, holding their favorite toy. This enhances feelings of peace and security and encourages them to repeat the practice often.