In school, we teach kids to use their logical minds to think, learn, and problem solve. But there’s one equally important thing we should be teaching them: how to stop thinking, to quiet their minds, and to just be.
Meditation and mindfulness have been around for centuries and are an important aspect of TCM and Eastern philosophies.
Mindfulness teaches us to be present in the moment and experience what is happening right now. It helps us become aware of our thoughts and emotions in a nonjudgmental way. Mindfulness can actually reduce anxiety and calm the key area of the brain associated with our stress response, the amygdala, and there’s plenty of compelling science to back up its stress-reducing effects.
As life unfolds at a faster and faster pace, it’s important for children to have a way to slow down and be in the moment.
Help your children cultivate mindfulness by having them check in with their senses. Ask them: What do you hear right now? What do you smell? What do you feel—a cool breeze or warmth? Take a walk with them and just observe nature. Have them look at the sky, listen to the birds, and feel the air on their skin.
Doing this can help them feel more grounded. They’ll know they are present in the moment when the voice inside their head stops spinning stories about what they are seeing and instead becomes quiet. As children get older, they often lose this innate ability of being present in the moment, so mindfulness practices can help them keep it.
Teaching your child to meditate is one of the greatest gifts you can give.
There are many benefits and compelling science, including MRI brain scans, attesting to the value of this ancient technique. It can help boost the immune system, reduce stress and anxiety, and lower blood pressure. It’s helpful for numerous health issues, from digestive problems to skin conditions like psoriasis.
But what’s really astounding is that meditation can physically change your brain!
The more you meditate, the more you increase the gray matter in key areas of the brain related to self-awareness and compassion. Meditation actually helps your brain to become more compassionate and less stressed, even if your external circumstances have not changed a bit!
Experts agree that mindfulness and meditation should be taught to children in school as a way to build emotional intelligence, compassion, and empathy. It can also help children improve their focus and attention, which are the basis for a healthy classroom environment.