Anna Narvid's Articles on Lions Roar

Anna Narvid says that teaching mindfulness to kids is an "extraordinary way to help them generate esteem, cultivate calm, and deal with difficulty." Anna offers some thoughtful and beyond-the-usual ideas for practicing 'meditation' with children. Try a few, then let us know how they work for you and yours. Meditation for Children—2 Simple Exercises. Drawing Meditation. Sit down with your child in a quiet, comfortable spot. Allow your child to pick one object in the room to focus on. With your child, look at the object and describe what you see. Have your child draw the object as best she/he can. Together, descriptively compare and contrast the drawing and the object. If your child seems finished with the exercise, then you are done—if not, continue... Now, choose a different place in the room to sit. Look at the object again from this alternate location. With your child, look at the object and describe what you see. Repeat the exercise until you feel your child feels like she/he is finished! Reporting Meditation. Toward the end of the day, sit with your child in a quiet, comfortable spot Ask your child to go through the day in his/her mind. Next, have your child narrate the story of his/her day. Help your child identify the order of events chronologically. Repeat back what your child has detailed and allow him/her to clarify, correct, or confirm. When the conversation feels complete, you are finished!

How to meditate with kids (and why it’s important)

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