6 July 2023
You might have heard meditation recommended as a way to achieve relaxation and cope better with stress, but did you know it can benefit children too? Learning to meditate can help improve children’s behaviour in a number of ways and this skill can help them in many areas of their lives. Here are five ways that meditation can help improve kids' behaviour.
Stress and anxiety are a part of life, but they can be incredibly overwhelming for young people. Through meditation, children learn to focus on their breath and let go of their thoughts. This allows them to find a moment of peace amid the chaos of daily life. Meditation can also help train the brain to respond more calmly to stressful situations. So if your kids are struggling with stress and anxiety, give meditation a go.
Children often find it difficult concentrating and focusing, especially if there are distractions in their surroundings like noise and movement. This can make it difficult for them to pay attention in class, complete homework and study for exams. It’s been found that meditation is able to improve children’s focus and attention span considerably, once they get the hang of it. The process of focusing on their breath and clearing their mind of all thoughts helps them to stay present in the moment and ignore distractions. With regular practice, children can learn how to control their thoughts and focus their attention better.
Sometimes children can become over-stimulated by their environment and struggle to deal with sensory inputs. This can result in stress, panic and outbursts. By focusing on their breath, kids have a distraction from the sensory overload which can help them to stay calm. You may find that children who previously acted out exhibit better self-control once they learn to meditate. This can be particularly helpful for children with additional needs like autism and ADHD.
When children are experiencing negative emotions, it can be totally overwhelming for them and they may act in ways they later regret. Meditation can help them cope with their emotions by focusing on slowing their breathing and clearing their minds, helping to focus their thoughts. Meditation can also help children to become more aware of their bodies and how their emotions affect them physically. Once they are more in control of their thoughts and feelings, children tend to find it easier to cope with difficult situations.
In our fast-paced, digital world, teaching kids mindfulness is more important than ever. Mindfulness is the state of being in the moment and noticing what is around you. It can help to reduce stress, improve focus, and boost creativity. One of the best ways to learn mindfulness is through meditation.
Meditation is a helpful tool that can improve kids' behaviour in many ways. It can help children become more calm, patient, and focused by teaching them how to focus on their thoughts and develop greater self-awareness. It's important to remember that it takes time and practise to master meditation, so it may be a while before you see benefits.