The benefits of spiritual meditation for children
The benefits of meditation for children(stress reduction, help with falling asleep, concentration, etc.) are often highlighted. In these cases, the focus is on mindfulness meditation or mind-body practices such as sophrology. But what about prayerful meditation? Meditation has an important place in the Christian tradition. Far from being merely a relaxation practice, it is a way of making oneself present - body, heart and mind - to God and, through him, gaining in quality of presence to oneself and to others. This intimate relationship with God enables us to grow in confidence and develop a rich and secure inner life. And the good news is that there's no minimum age (or maximum, for that matter) to start! Discover the benefits of this practice for children, as well as tips on how to introduce them to it
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Tame your emotions
How can Christian meditation help children cope better with their emotions?
Children can often experience strong emotions that are difficult to channel. One of the first benefits of meditation is to help them better welcome and manage these emotions. This is not unique to Christian meditation, and in fact many mind-body techniques help to manage emotions. But by opening up this time of interiority to prayer, and placing themselves under God's benevolent gaze, children can take a fresh look at their emotions and what may have triggered them.
While it's not always easy, especially for young children, to put into words what they're experiencing, they discover that in prayer, they don't necessarily have to find the right words to express what they're feeling. They can show themselves as they are. He learns to feel loved and welcomed as he is, with all that moves him: sadness, anger, joy, fear...
It's no longer a question of overcoming, managing or controlling emotions, but simply letting them be and entrusting them to God. It's then that they can find peace, enabling them to regain their composure, cope better with anxious situations and relate more serenely to others.
How can we welcome our emotions and offer them to God?
1- Meditation time can be introduced by a short relaxation exercise to better tune in to your feelings and refocus on what you're experiencing. The Vittoz method is particularly well suited to children and to preparing for a time of prayer. Developed by a Christian doctor - Dr. Vittoz - in the early 20th century, it offers simple exercises for awakening awareness through listening to the body and the environment. (Discover breathing exercises to relax, as well as exercises to develop receptivity and attention).
2- Take the time to place yourself in the presence of God through a gesture or words: a sign of the cross, lighting a candle, reciting the Our Father...
3 - Take stock of your "inner weather" and simply entrust it to Jesus. This can be done with :
- a simple phrase: "Today, I feel that it's all gray inside me / I feel that it's a storm / ... I entrust this to you, Jesus, who has also experienced all the emotions".
- a drawing for the little ones, to be placed in front of the candle or a cross
- a heart-to-heart for older children, addressing Jesus in their own words, as if talking to a friend.
To gain confidence
Why can meditating on the Bible help my child gain self-confidence?
Children grow up confronting others in their daily lives, as well as painful, unforeseen and sometimes tragic events. As adults, we can't protect them from everything, especially as we too can find ourselves vulnerable and full of uncertainty in the world around us.
Opening our children up to meditation and prayer means helping them to discover the strength, peace and stability they need to face life's ups and downs. Christian tradition has always emphasized the importance of meditating on the Word of God. The Bible is filled with stories of God's faithfulness, support and strength, even in the most difficult situations. Through the adventures of Joseph, David, Ruth, Rahab and Jacob, children and teenagers discover that God has a plan and a mission for each and every one of us, and that by trusting in him, we can overcome all trials.
Meditating on the Gospels is also a great way to become aware of Jesus' presence by our side, and his attention to what even the smallest among us is going through.
By developing trust in God, and in God's promises, children discover their own potential, and the wonderful being God sees in them.
How can I meditate on the Bible with a child?
There are many different editions of the Bible to help you discover the great Bible stories and Gospels, whatever your child's age or reading ability: illustrated Bible for children, comic book Bible heroes, manga Bible, etc.
1- Put yourself in God's presence with a gesture (sign of the cross, candle) or a short prayer (Our Father, for example).
2- Read a passage from the Bible or one of the Bible stories. Allow as much time as the child needs.
3- Take the time to say what you remember from the text. Let the child begin.
- What did they understand, what didn't they understand, what challenged them, what questioned them, what shocked them, what amused them...?
- What does it say about God?
- For older children, what does it say about God's relationship with mankind? What do they think?
4- Let them choose a word, a phrase or an expression, and ask them to keep it in mind throughout the day.
(Find more tips and methods for meditating on the Bible or a Bible verse. Also discover Bible verses to meditate on to grow in confidence and others to combat stress and anxiety).
To develop your inner self
Why is nurturing our inner life so important to our children's well-being?
Just as it's important to accompany our children in the healthy development of their bodies and minds, nourishing their souls is also a necessity. Prayer is what nourishes our relationship with God, what enables us to move forward on our spiritual journey. From a very early age, it is possible to give a child a taste for these moments of interiority that enable him to be more present to God, to others and to himself, to live fully what he has to live. Christian meditation unifies our whole being: body, heart and mind. For children, who naturally have an aptitude for experiencing things in their fullness, it's good to show that prayer can be truly incarnate. Growing up in all the dimensions of our being enables us to live more harmoniously.
In a world with so many external stimuli, it's vital to know how to return to oneself, to be able to find that inner space and discover its riches. A child who has developed this ability will become a stronger adult.
Guided meditations for children
The Christian tradition offers a variety of ways to meditate: silent prayer, the rosary, contemplation, lectio divina... It's important to adapt the form and format according to the age and sensitivity of the child.It's important to adapt the form and format according to the age and sensitivity of the child, but at any age, it's possible to tame the silence to listen, to recite a dozen rosaries, or to see God's goodness in a blooming rose...
Discover guided meditations for :
- children aged 4 and over,
- children aged 8 and over,
- preparing for sleep in the evening
- relaxing
4 practical tips to help your child meditate
- Don't overdo it! A short 5-minute session is perfectly sufficient from the outset. There's no point in discouraging your child with long sessions. Gradually, sessions can be made a little longer.
- Establish regularity. Like any new practice, to be adopted, it must be followed over time. Choosing a suitable time during the day (in the evening before going to bed, for example) is the best way to stick to it.
- Accompany without interfering. The aim of this time of meditation is to develop a personal and intimate relationship between the child and God. Our presence may be necessary, especially at the beginning, to guide and encourage, but it's important to let your child find his or her own way of meditating, and to know how to withdraw.
- Use audio-guided meditations: audio-guided meditations are an invaluable aid for starting meditation. The Meditatio app has a whole section for children, with meditations adapted to every age: from 4 years old, from 10 years old, from 13 years old... Download it for free to discover them!
