Meditation tips for all ages

Toddlers
At this age, meditation is more of a focusing activity. Take a tactile approach and encourage your child to notice her breath by holding her hands in front of her mouth and nose and making a sound as she exhales. She can also move in time with her breathing by lifting her arms up and down or stretching out and curling up. You could also try stroking your child from her head to her toes, which is good for grounding energy. A toddler’s attention span for meditation lasts from around a minute to a maximum of five minutes.

Four- to six-year-olds
These meditations can be more focused, with just a short time spent on tactile relaxation. Your child should be interested in the story of a guided meditation and the journey you are taking her on. The meditation can help her move to a place of peace and safety that makes her feel light and happy. Meditations like these can last for up to 15 minutes.

Seven and above
Guided meditations can help to offload worries. For example, your child can imagine she is dropping stones that represent worries into a pond, or that she is throwing bags of worry out of a plane, which makes the plane become lighter and faster. Incorporating words like “calm” when inhaling and “peace” when exhaling will help your child stay focused and calm. With practice, this age group can stay focused on a meditation for up to 20 minutes. 

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