meditation for a 4 year old?

[shrub]

wondering if its possible to teach my ds1 to meditate. has anyone done this with their children and if so what methods do you use to help them relax and focus?

Haven't tried a full meditation session, but have tried visualisation techniques with both DS1 and 2. Very useful if they are poorly or in pain.

With DS1 (nearly 7 yrs) I get him to close his eyes and imagine a big, red, fluffy blanket. It is the softest blanket ever and feels lovely and warm and cuddly. He imagines it wrapped around his shoulders and whilst it is there, all his pain will go away. I just sit next to him and talk to him in a soft voice, describing the blanket. He usually relaxes so much that he falls asleep.

With DS2 (3 yrs) I describe the blanket to him, but also tell him to rub his belly (or whatever is hurting) gently with his 'magic' finger - and I normally make up a little rhyme (pain, pain go away sort of thing).

DS1 is now very adept and has started describing extra details of the blanket to me, once having a sneezing fit and blaming the blanket for tickling his nose

thanks snugs. have thought there would be classes for children but imagine it could potentially be a nightmare for the teacher - especially if the children aren't in a relaxed mood to begin with. i worry boys may be less able to sit still for any length of time. do you wait until its bedtime? and how long do you let the visualisation last for with your ds2? love the tickling blanket story with your ds1

Asked my TM teacher about TM for children and he said basically can do it as soon as they can keep a secret - no chance of that with my DD yet. The children don't keep still though - they walk around - don't know any more I'm afraid but I can ask as I am seeing him on Wednesday

hi neetmassi - does your teacher mean keeping the method a secret? if so wouldn't that worry the child that they are doing something that they shoudn't/or is wrong is some way - how does he contextualize this? has he had any experience of teaching children and if so what age does he think they can keep it secret? sorry so many questions - its just that my ds1 is highly strung like his mother

Shrub

No, don't wait for bedtime. With DS1 he normally asks to do it if he is feeling a bit off colour, (so he is probably a little more subdued than normal!)

With DS2 it can last from 2 minutes to half an hour, though if it lasts that long it is because he has started to nod off (a good result in itself).

Maybe try after story time, when they are cuddled up and feeling warm and relaxed anyway.

Shrub - the keeping a secret bit was about keeping the mantra secret - I will ask any other questions that you want me to ask - just let me know.

Take Care