Three Ways for Children to Try Meditation at Home

There are many apps, classes and books to guide children in meditation, but it is easy (and free) to start at home. You don’t need props like chimes or incense. The more meditation becomes integrated into daily living, the more successful it will be. Here are some exercises to try.

1. Elevator down. Imagine an elevator going down three floors. (Older children may prefer to imagine more floors.) Imagine now that the elevator is in your body. When you are sitting, imagine the top floor is from your head to your chest. The next floor is from your chest to your belly, and the third from your belly to your seat.

Begin at the crown of your head. On your next exhale mentally chant “three” as you imagine the elevator lowering from your crown to your chest. Pause for an inhale. When the doors open, imagine your breath coming in and freshening up the elevator, the way opening a window brings a fresh breeze into the room. On the next exhale, mentally chant “two.” Imagine going down another flight to your belly. Continue to the ground floor, chanting “one.” Pause and feel your seat on the ground floor and enjoy landing fully.

Read the full article at source: Three Ways for Children to Try Meditation at Home - The New York Times