Recently, while re-reading the November 2010 issue of NAEYC's journal "Young Children", I re-visited an article that I had previously dog-eared. In "Meditation, Rangoli and Eating on the Floor: Practices from an Urban Preschool in Bangalore, India" by Jennifer Keys Adair and Lilly Bhaskaran, I read an account of preschool children in India who engage in guided meditation as a class for 8-10 minutes daily. The children spread out mats, sit with their hands in their laps, eyes closed and breathe through their noses while listening to music. The teacher may narrate a scenario or simply suggest an open ended line of thought. At the end of the silent sitting sessions, the children and teacher chant and practice asanas tailored for children.
Guided meditation is a practice that I would like to introduce to the children in the early childhood center where I work. Many of the children are exposed to technological stimulation for much of their time outside of the center. I believe that the benefits of silent sitting would be numerous for modern American children.
Guided meditation is a practice that I would like to introduce to the children in the early childhood center where I work. Many of the children are exposed to technological stimulation for much of their time outside of the center. I believe that the benefits of silent sitting would be numerous for modern American children.
Hi Careyann,
ReplyDeleteGuided meditation with 3 and 4-year-olds sounds wonderful! I am anxious to hear the outcomes of facilitating a meditation with the children in your classroom.
I was witness to a similar guided meditation in a 4-year-old classroom about 3 weeks ago while I was visiting an American Indian Head Start program here in Washington State. A recorded voice was instructing the children how to breathe, close their eyes, think peaceful thoughts, and more. After the recorded voice was finished the teacher played music from our American Indian cultures while the children rested for 1-hour. The children responded well to this type of meditation. I thought the recorded voice was too loud and would have preferred to hear a softer voice but the children were calm throughout the meditation.
Careyann,
ReplyDeleteI am very interested in the workings of the mind as well. My undergraduate degree is in the field of psychology and I didn't want to stray too far from that when I entered this degree. I am in fact planning to change the title of my blog to something more comfortable for me, hopefully that doesn't mess anything up for anyone! I agree that technology today is overwhelming and abundantly available. It makes me reminisce to my early childhood when I actually made up things to play, and went outside!
Careyann,
ReplyDeleteGreat beginning Blog! I always did Yoga with my early learners. They would sit in child pose position, stand in tree form and balance with eyes shut. Thay would also meditate and hum. I shared these positions throurhout the entire school and older children loved to work with the younger children on their balance. Namaste!