How meditation fits in
In many ways, meditation is like a lighthouse. It’s a practice you can turn to wherever you are and whenever you need it, it’s calming presence just a moment away. It helps you build skills within your self, like encouraging resilience and boosting
emotional regulation. Meditation can also help you navigate life’s challenges more easily, like a lighthouse guiding the way.
For little ones, meditation can be instrumental in helping them develop self-confidence and coping skills they will use for the rest of their lives. Meditation practices help children practice acceptance, improves their emotional regulation and ability to problem solve, and equips them with the ability to feel better, wherever they are. For lighthouse parents, meditation is a research-proven way to promote mental and physical well-being from a young age, helping kids to feel and be their very best.
What is meditation?
Meditation, a centuries-old practice is, quite simply, the practice of focusing attention for a period of time. Many
myths about meditation still persist, like having to sit still for hours on end or having zero thoughts. The good news is, these are just myths, and fortunately there are many different types of meditation, which suit different needs and preferences, and can also be modified for every child.
The common thread throughout the different styles of meditation is focused attention, or the act of consciously keeping your attention on something. This might be your breath, the beat of a drum, or a mantra or affirmation. For example, in a
moving meditation, your attention is focused on how the movement feels throughout your body and noticing all the sensations of movement. In this example, your attention is focused on how your body feels.
In a body scan meditation, the focus is on noticing, without judgement, the way your body feels. In doing so, you might notice tension and then release it, which promotes feelings of ease and relaxation. When your attention wanders, and it will, that’s okay. The practice of meditation is about noticing your attention has wavered, and bringing it back to your chosen focal point.
Can kids meditate?
Kids can absolutely meditate and research shows it’s beneficial, too. Much like adult meditation practices, kids will get the most out of meditation when they practice the types that work for them. A child who loves stories will most likely enjoy guided story meditations and using their imagination to grasp meditation concepts. A child who enjoy movement may find a moving meditation more engaging. Like any practice for kids, it’s about making time spent in meditation relevant and interesting for them, and then making it part of their daily or weekly routine.
