Peace education includes teaching a sense of inner peace, as well as appreciation for the outer world. Parents can guide their children along a spiritual path to find this inner peace.
Yoga for Kids
Yoga is a relaxing method of exercise that also calms the body and nourishes the spirit. Many DVDs, books, and CDs are available that incorporate moves appropriate for children.
* Gaiam Kids: Yogakids Fun Collection
* YogaKids
* Yoga Pretzels: 50 Fun Yoga Activities for Kids and Grownups
* Itsy Bitsy Yoga for Toddlers and Preschoolers: 8-Minute Routines to Help Your Child Grow Smarter, Be Happier, and Behave Better
* Kids Musical Yoga
These titles and many more are available through favored retailers, such as Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and Borders.
Walking
Children can benefit from all kinds of exercise. Another family-fun exercising activity is walking. Walking keeps the body fit and relives stress. Take a walk around the block on in a park. When weather is inclement, pop in a walking DVD. Leslie Sansone has a DVD for kids called Kids Walk [Starz, 2005] and one for the whole family called Family Walk [Starz, 2005]. Both are available for preview and purchase through her website.
Prayer
Religious and spiritual families often engage in prayer throughout the day. Families can set up regular prayer times in which they bond as they pray. Common times include prior to meals and at bedtime. Other prayer traditions can be established at each family’s discretion or as deemed appropriate by the followed religion.
Meditation
Meditation doesn’t have to only be about prayer. Teach children to just close their eyes and send happy thoughts out into the world. Ask them to think of things that make them happy: rainbows, a favorite toy, etc. Find an inexpensive “Circle of Friends” statue and look at it while thinking of friends and family. Focus extra thoughts particularly on those who are sick or on vacation. Further meditation can be done while using calming visuals and sounds.
Calming Visuals
Emphasize thoughts of friends and family while watching their pictures go by in a digital photo frame or online photo slide show. Remind them of happy memories while doing this with photos from a favorite vacation.
Some children may experience a calm by simply observing a lava lamp or the flickering flame of a lit candle. For those afraid to use real flames, purchase a fake candle with a fake flame.
Calming Sounds
Plus in a waterfall. While it is visually appealing to watch the water flow, it is also relaxing simply listening to the water flow. CDs of waterfalls can also be highly relaxing.
Other relaxation CDs include bird chirping, dolphins crying, and thunderstorms. Find these in the music section of favorite local retailers.
Some people find music to be calming. While musical tastes vary from person to person, commonly used artists include Enya, Lorena McKennitt, and Kenny G.
Time-Out
Time-out doesn’t have to always be a disciplinary tool. Taking time for oneself to either sit and do nothing or sit and do a favorite activity (like reading). Enforce a daily quiet time for everyone in the family to relax and reconnect.
Utilizing a variety of calming techniques creates a sense of inner peace and thus a better appreciation for the world. Families who do such activities together can also gain a sense of peaceful unity.
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