need help getting our daughter to start meditating

[Clover]

Originally Posted by SemperVI

Just my two cents - I think it is great that you are encouraging your daughter to participate in activities at such a young age. IMHO, I personally would probably be leaning toward activities that includes other people - e.g. Ballet, t-ball, etc. I say this because I believe at such a young age - it's important a child be provided opportunities to develop their interpersonal skills. I am not sure at the age of 6, meditation would provide much benefit. Goof luck

Children that young don't have the attention span to meditate like adults. The longest they can sit still is about 2 -3 minutes, probably less. What is does do is teach breathing techniques, which is the key word. A good breathing technique can help with anxiety and temper tantrums which is why there are products, video & children shows instructing young kids on meditation and yoga. It really does teach long term coping skills rather than just crying it out or "going to your room"! It's a whole different generation than my parents who raised me in the 80's-90's.

[Melahin]

Chrildren has as great an attention span as grown-ups. They just kinda don't want to spend it on things that bore them. Make meditation interesting, that is the key!

[sky]

Originally Posted by charlycharly

Hi all, we have been making some researches lately about choosing ballet or meditation for our daughter, i read some useful tips here yogapratice.com/kids-yoga/ but we need any first hand or personal experiences please.

A book called " Peaceful piggy " might help you.....

[nirvana306]

You can start with simple breathing exercises. Like breathing through alternate nostrils.

[adijans]

Originally Posted by Miss Hepburn

Why either or? Ha, why not both with yoga thrown in.
Your daughter would be one centered, confidant young lady!

I would agree that these activities don't necessarily need to be exclusive.

[MissTiffany]

I would agree Yoga and a type of meditation would be even better. I taught Yoga to an 8 year old and she loved it. She didn't really understand at first the purpose of yoga but she looked at me as an idol to be as flexible, strong and calm as I was so she kept with it for a very long time. When we would practice breathing techniques, she would always start talking so even at 8 yrs old, sitting breathing is not quite possible. I would practice a guided meditation before or after a yoga session or both. Read her the story to follow or let her read it. Reading itself can be meditative, I would say make it an interesting story like fantasy and not a learning book. Something to get the mind focused on just that story but a calm story. Good luck with your young one!

[Rise and Shine]

Originally Posted by charlycharly

Hi all, we have been making some researches lately about choosing ballet or meditation for our daughter, i read some useful tips here yogapratice.com/kids-yoga/ but we need any first hand or personal experiences please.

You can lead a horse to water , but you cant make it drink.

I think we need to find meditation our selves, often after puberty .

I have seen a lot of kids yoga that is fun, and breath based, but it has a novelty feel to it.

Teaching children to express emotions is important , I feel.

[Rise and Shine]

This is total opinion , just from what I have seen. This could be completly limited.

I have met people, women, who developed body issues from practicing ballet/gymnastics at a very young age. It is common for them to weigh the young girls and encourage them to be thin.

Not healthy - but thin.

T Ball , basket ball etc ... fun simple

[bird*]

Look up Wai Lana's Little Yogis videos. There's some on YouTube. I don't know how much actual meditation is in them, but it looks like a really fun way for kids to learn yoga. They pretend to be animals for some of the poses, like Cobra Pose or Lion Pose. It keeps the kids interested in doing yoga.