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Photo by Tania Franco in Balboa Park San Diego, California |
It has been important to me as a mother and a Psychotherapist to share with my 6 year old son relaxation techniques to help him manage daily stress effectively. One of the ways that I help my son relax is before bedtime: I give him a short massage using lavender massage oil and I guide him through a 10 minute meditation.
I share with you the script of one of his favorite meditations, A Caterpillar In The Garden:
(Read slowly, pausing now and then, with a calm voice)
Imagine that you are a little caterpillar in a beautiful garden
In this garden you feel safe and calm
You see many types of flowers (mention your child's favorite flowers)
Trees (mention their favorite trees)
Plants
And green grass all around you
You continue to walk around the garden
Listening to the different sounds
Smelling the fragrances in the air
Until you find a comfortable leaf to lay and rest in
Breathing in and out
Relaxing your feet
Your legs
With each breath feeling lighter
Your pelvis, hips and buttocks
Feeling how you are abdomen moves with your breath
Your back
Chest
Breathing in and out
Relaxing your shoulders
Arms and hands
Neck
Jaw, mouth, cheeks
Breathing in and out
Eyes
Forehead
Scalp
Feeling your body soft and loose... 1...2...3...
Relaxed... 4... 5...6...
Breathing deeply... 7... 8...9...10.
I hope your child/children enjoy this meditation as much as my son does. Exposing children to different relaxation techniques strengthens their self-esteem, supports them in effective stress and emotional management.
-Tania Franco