5 Ways Meditation Helps Kids do Better at School

As a parent, you want the best for your children. You want them to have every opportunity to succeed in life, which means doing well in school. But did you know that meditation can help kids handle the stress and challenges of school? Here are five ways that meditation can help kids do better at school.

Helps Improve Focus And Concentration

Children don’t tend to find it easy to sit still and pay attention. Meditation is a practice that teaches people how to focus and be more present in the moment. Learning meditation can be helpful for children as spending time practising sitting calmly improves their ability to stay focused in lessons and avoid getting distracted. Obviously, kids who are paying attention to their teacher are going to learn better, improving their academic performance. 

Increases Working Memory

Meditation has been found to improve working memory - this is the temporary storage and manipulation of information in the mind. It’s what children use when they’re doing mental arithmetic or following a set of verbal instructions. This means children who meditate regularly tend to learn new information and skills more quickly and can use their brain more effectively. 

Helps With Social Skills

A big part of school is social interaction. Although some kids are naturally outgoing and confident, others may struggle with shyness or anxiety, making it difficult to interact with classmates. Meditation can help kids become more aware of their thoughts and feelings, and the ability to understand and regulate their emotions helps them interact with their peers more effectively, leading to improved social skills. Meditation can help kids be more mindful and present in their interactions. As a result, they may find it easier to make friends and find it easier working with other children both in and out of the classroom. 

Improves Sleep Quality

Sleep is important for everyone, but especially so for children and adolescents. Sleep allows the brain to consolidate information learned during the day and recharge for the next day's activities. Yet, many young people struggle with insomnia or other sleep disorders that prevent them from getting the rest they need. Meditation can be a helpful tool for promoting better sleep. By focusing on breathing and clearing the mind of intrusive thoughts, meditation can help to bring about a state of relaxation that is conducive to sleep. 

Reduces Test Anxiety

Meditation is an effective way to reduce stress and anxiety. Anxiety often causes faster breathing, so by knowing how to regain control over their breathing, children can calm themselves down. Kids who meditate before taking an exam have been shown to have significantly lower levels of anxiety than those who didn't meditate. This is likely because meditation helps to clear the mind and allows kids to focus on the present moment - they can relax and do their best when they're not worried about the future or dwelling on past failures. 

There are many reasons why meditation can help improve children’s school performance. Meditation can help improve focus and concentration, two essential skills for academic success. Additionally, meditation can help reduce stress and anxiety, which can interfere with learning.

Photo by Yan Krukau