When children have difficulty focusing attention their schoolwork and ability to make and keep friends suffers. David Life and Shannon Gannon of Jivumukti Yoga believe that providing children with calming activities such as the practice of holistic yoga or mindfulness, can improve ability to calm the mind and bring higher levels of concentration into focus--while also improving general health. You can teach your child simple techniques to boost concentration.
Teaching the Mind to be Still
Step 1
Provide your child a quiet space where they can sit comfortably without distractions.
Step 2
Ask your child to close his eyes and rub one drop lavender essential oil onto the underside of each of his wrists. Lavender essential oil has been shown to promote calm and can be used as an olfactory trigger when your child needs to focus his attention, according to Jeanne Rose's "The Aromatherapy Book".
Step 3
Set the timer for three minutes and instruct your child to breath in deeply through her nose and out through her mouth. The ability to slow the breath with full abdominal breathing provides the brain with oxygen rich blood. If you don't have a timer, watch a clock and gently ring a bell at the end of three minutes.
Step 4
As your child breathes, have him picture the number one in his mind as he inhales. Upon his exhale he will repeat the image of the number one. With each inhale and exhale he will imagine the remaining numbers two through 10. When he has reached 10, the process is reversed from nine through one. Have your child slowly continue this process until three minutes has passed. The practice of yogic mindfulness helps to train the mind to eliminate past and future which brings calm and focus to the mind.
Step 5
As your child's patience and ability to focus increases, increase the time spent in yogic meditation until she can sit mindfully breathing for 15 to 30 minutes each day.
Tips and Warnings
- Adding a rainbow spectrum of color or a word such as "Peace", "Hope" or any other gently encouraging word is an acceptable replacement for counting while focusing on breath. As your child improves, you can provide her with a small handkerchief that has five drops of lavender essential oil on it to take to school. Instruct her to smell the handkerchief as a cue to remind her brain to focus during activities such as reading, math or exams. Look for a kid-appropriate yoga class or video to further encourage improved mental focus. If you think your child may have a mental health complication, such as ADHD, contact your health care provider to ensure your child receives the care she may need.
- Ensure that your child doesn't feel that he is being punished for inattentiveness. The practice of mindfulness can only be effective if it is viewed as a positive practice that he will enjoy throughout the years. You can increase a positive view of the ability to focus attention by taking the time to practice mindfulness yourself to provide a model that he can embrace. Children are much more likely to do the activities they see their role models practicing
Things You'll Need
- Quiet area
- Timer or bell
- Lavender essential oil
References
- "Natural Mental Health"; Carla Wills-Brandon Ph.D.; 2000
- "Teach Your Own: The John Holt Book of Homeschooling"; John Holt; 2003
- "Yoga Planet Deck (Yoga Cards)"; Tara Guber; 2008
- "The Aromatherapy Book"; Jeanne Rose; 1992
- "Jivumukti Yoga"; David Life and Shannon Gannon; 2002
