Bedtime Meditation For Kids
Table of Contents
What Is It And Why Should We Encourage It?
For many parents, a dull sense of dread starts to set in as the evening approaches. The reason why? It’s nearly the kids’ bedtime!
A notoriously difficult part of the day, getting the kids to bed and subsequently to sleep when their little minds are whirring is a battle all parents will have to face. Often, by the time the kids finally settle down, the evening is all but over!
Kids have a lot to deal with during the day, so it’s no wonder they can struggle to sleep at night.
While many people are aware of the impact meditation has on sleep for adults, few know that the benefits for kids can be just as powerful.
A bedtime meditation can help you enjoy a deep and full night’s rest, whether you’re 28 or just 8!
A meditation before bed will help your child to settle down sooner and sleep deeper, plus the benefits of a better sleep will stretch much further than an easier morning wake up!
The Benefits of Bedtime Meditation For Kids
Getting a good night’s sleep is just as important for kids as it is for adults. Little minds have a lot to think about, especially during term time when they are at school all day with their friends; learning, growing and playing.
Anxiety in kids is extremely common, but a sleep meditation can calm the mind and help your child to feel supported and safe.
A well-rested child will be much easier to deal with. You’ll find their mood improves, their ability to learn expands and they will move through the day with less anxiety and worries.
Teaching kids how to meditate early can give them the tools they need to deal with even greater difficulties once they reach teenage or adulthood.
Many meditations for kids use engaging exercises to help them learn to manage their anger and stress, techniques they can carry with them through their lives.
Types of Kids’ Bedtime Meditation
Parents often disregard meditation for kids, thinking they’ll have a harder time getting them meditating than they will getting them to go to bed! But there are a huge range of kids’ bedtime meditations to choose from, so it should be easy to find one your child enjoys. While a child’s bedtime meditation looks different to an adult meditation, the basic premise is the same.
Guided Meditations
Guided meditations for kids will guide your child into a relaxed state in a fun and child-friendly way.
These are led by a soothing speaker, and may consist of breathing exercises or exercises to help them focus on sounds and sights around them.
Guided meditations can help your child learn to deal with difficulties, and teach them techniques to help them stay calm in stressful situations.
Sleep Stories
Most children will be familiar with a bedtime story, and Sleep Stories are designed specifically to help your child fall asleep.
They will be read in a soothing voice and consist of an engaging storyline that’ll help keep your child’s focus while simultaneously encouraging them to drift off.
Children are naturally curious, and most will want to follow a soothing story to its end.
How to Introduce your child to Bedtime Meditation
Introducing children to meditation can be difficult, but persistence is key. Ensure you choose a voice they like hearing, and allow them some say in their choice of story. Make a night time meditation a family affair if it’s easier, as your child may feel more comfortable and safe knowing that you are meditating alongside them.
MindEasy offers a full library of meditation courses, so you and your child can choose the voice and type of meditation you prefer. Our Meditation for Children course, led by teacher Nadine, consists of exercises to help them drift off, while also equipping them with the tools they need to deal with the little stresses that come with being a child.
