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Meditation with Children

6 Tips from 6 Kids Yoga Teacher Training Weekends

The Summer Certification is a popular way to get your 95 hour Certificate. It’s fast.  It’s fun.  It’s packed with information.

To give you an idea of what you’ll get, check out these 6 Tips on teaching yoga to kids. One tip from each of the 6 weekends of Kids Yoga Teacher Training.

If you are thinking of getting your Kids Yoga Teacher Certificate  Here’s the link with all the details.  We’d love to meet you there.

6 Tips from 6 Kids Yoga Teacher Training Weekends

Tip #1 from the Yoga Literacy Weekend 

  • Yoga Alphabet and Storytelling:  In the Yoga Literacy training the Yoga Alphabet turns any kid into a storyteller.  Why?  Because letters make up words and words make up stories.  With our Yoga Alphabet we play all kinds of word games, but the favorite by far is Yoga Hangman (also known as Yoga Wheel of Fortune for some youth).  The clues can be any words and phrases related to school curriculum, yoga themes, or pop culture.  Choose what will interest your group. Now here’s the yoga part:  before you reveal whether the letter is in the clue, everyone does the yoga pose.  One game of Yoga Hangman can equal 10 or more yoga poses.  Now that’s a good stretch for body and mind.

Tip #2 from the Inclusive Yoga Weekendin kids yoga class, children form a human train by holding each others shoulders and walking

  • Yoga to Include Children with Special Needs:  One mother described how difficult it is at school for her daughter because she didn’t have any friends.  At eleven years old it can be a lonely world for a child with special needs.   In the Inclusive Yoga weekend Kids Yoga Training you get lots of ideas to help kids feel they belong in a yoga class.One effective way is by creating a Yoga Obstacle Course.  It’s basically a huge visual schedule that eases anxiety for a lot of children on the autism spectrum.  The great thing is, all kids love obstacle courses.  You set up stations around the room with different yoga poses and fun ways to get from one spot to another.  Try hopping like a frog, walking in downward dog, or taking a human train.  Leave a spot at the end for kids to rest when they complete the cycle. Start by going through the whole Obstacle Course as a group.  That eleven year old girl will feel better when she is sitting in the resting spot just like all the other kids.

Tip #3 from the Ages and Stages Weekend

a paper drawing of human anatomy for kids witha brain made of macaroni - part of the kids yoga teacher training
Kids don’t mind learning Anatomy when it’s fun and neither do adults.
  • Anatomy and Physiology:  Talking about bones is one thing, but bringing a skeleton into yoga class will take bones to the next level to capture kids attention. You can look for an anatomically correct skeleton, the kind a doctor or chiropractor uses.  Or you can look for a big skeleton at Halloween time and you won’t have to be so careful transporting it to and from your classes.

Tip #4 from the What I See, I Can Be Weekend

  • Yoga In the Classroom: This weekend includes so many tips on how to include Yoga in the classroom.  One of my favorites is what course author, Janet Williams, of Childrens Yoga Books.com calls a Two-For-One.  This is what you get when you teach two topics at the same time. Not only does it help a teacher get through their curriculum and fulfill their daily physical activity requirement, it helps children get much appreciated kinesthetic learning opportunities.

measuring the angle of the ankle in a yoga pose in kids yoga

Tip #5 from the Themes and Dreams Weekend

kids yoga class with a teacher talking to a child doing yoga
Seeing Eye to Eye with Kids in Your Class

  •  Classroom Management is a big concern for many kids yoga teachers. Each teacher must discover how to get to the heart of classroom management and better connect with kids.  For instance, if you present your lesson plan and a child protests, there are a number of ways to deal with it.  First and foremost, the teacher strives to not take the protest personally. Just like when we meditate we try not to add energy to thoughts or distractions, we let them float by.  It is equally important for a teacher to focus on the yoga class and refrain from arguments or power struggles. When a teacher does not react it is easier to figure out what to do. One of my favorite responses when a child says they don’t want to do something is to sincerely and energetically ask them, “What do you want to do?”  Their answer gives me a big clue about how to manage the situation.  Sometimes you find out they are sick, tired, or they have something else in mind.  You can use the information to adjust your plan accordingly.  Sometimes you can turn the protest into a positive, by involving the child in your lesson plan.  Just like in life, we want to develop a yogic mind, a neutral mind, and become a role model for children.

Tip #6 from the Branching Out Weekend

  • Branching Out to Family Yoga:  finally here’s a very sweet meditation that I call the Stroke of Genius Meditation.  I wrote about it here and it is a wonderful way to help parents and kids connect in a family yoga class.  You’ll find this tip may help your mornings go a little smoother too.

These 6 tips from our 6 kids yoga teacher training weekends are just a small part of a comprehensive course registered with Yoga Alliance.

If you’ve thought of becoming a kids yoga teacher, full time, part time, in your classroom or living room, take a look at what you get with the Young Yoga Masters training.

Kids Yoga Teacher Training Yoga Alliance Registered Childrens Yoga School
Click this image for prices and more details of the Summer Certification

Register early to take save your place and take advantage of the early registration rates.  Here is the link to the information.

 

PicMonkey Collage

Teachers Doubting their Legitimacy, The Risks and Rewards of Kids Yoga Teacher Training, and a Mandala Meditation to Centre You Through It All

four teachers are demonstrating the breathing ball at the kids yoga booth at the Toronto Yoga Show

21,566 people. That was the official count of visitors at the Yoga Show in Toronto this April and I feel like I talked to half of them at our kids yoga booth! There was keen interest, and our area was a buzz with all things related to yoga and children.

By far, the most popular question was, “What do I need to teach kids yoga?”  Not a surprise, since kids yoga standards are fairly new.

What did surprise me was the growing concern about “proper” certification.  There were more people doubting whether their current training was enough.

As one woman said, “I just don’t feel legit, with only a weekend of training, to put Kids Yoga Teacher on my business card.”

It is a legitimate concern.

Today, let’s look at training requirements and the feelings of legitimacy that may arise when you consider different training.  Then later on, you’ll see some pictures from our Kids Mandala workshop and how Mandalas are great for Self Assessment.  It’s a fun activity for a kids yoga camp too.

All of this will help anyone considering Kids Yoga Training balance the risks and the rewards.

Risks and Rewards of Kids Yoga Teacher Certification

Risk: Your Certification Doesn’t Count

When people asked what they needed to teach kids yoga, I explain the various levels of “Certification” as follows:

  • Technical Regulations:  In most areas Yoga is an unregulated vocation.  Technically, you don’t need any training to hang your “Kids Yoga Class Here” sign.  Yoga teacher training is becoming regulated in some States in the USA. So if you are wondering about certification, the first risk to assess: Is yoga regulated where you live?  You don’t want to break any laws.

    a group of children in a line doing the warrior yoga pose with their yoga teacher
    That’s me (Aruna) teaching a yoga workshop at the Yoga Garden at the Yoga Conference
  • The Ability to Deliver:  The next consideration to teach kids yoga is whether you can deliver a good, safe, kids yoga class. One kids yoga employer told me:  “I don’t care about “certification,” I want to see you teach a great class.”  So if you don’t know whether you can deliver, get experience actually teaching kids yoga.  Some training programs give you this experience and some don’t. Can you risk completing a program where you don’t teach real kids?  Because you’re going to need teaching experience for your resume.
  • Yoga Industry Standards:  In terms of certification, many people set their sights on the Yoga Industry Standards because they want the industry recognition. Yoga Alliance (YA) sets the bar for Registered Children’s Yoga Teachers (RCYT) at:
    • 95 hrs Training with a Registered Children’s Yoga School (RCYS)
    • AND 200 hrs Training with a Registered Yoga School (RYS) – The good news is you can take your 95 or 200 hr training in any order.

Here’s the rub, many people already have 20 or 30 hours of training under their belt.  The problem is Yoga Alliance won’t count those hours towards the totals. YA requires you take all the  hours of Training with the same school, a school registered at the time of your training.  Otherwise YA won’t count it, even if it is enough hours.  This chart helps show why:

Pie Chart of hours for Yoga Alliance Registered Childrens Yoga School Training

If you take 95 hours from different schools, how do you know if the different categories have been fulfilled?

The risk here is you may invest in a training that doesn’t count.  I’ve heard positive things about most kids yoga trainings, but only those taken with a YA Registered School will count towards your Yoga Alliance registration.

Risk:  You Can’t Get Insurance as a Kids Yoga Teacher

To assess this risk, find out if you have enough training to get Insurance coverage. You hopefully will never need your insurance, but I recommend you get it anyway. Each state, province, or country will have different standards.  It’s definitely worth getting if teaching kids yoga is going to be part of your career.

Risk: You Take a Training But Still Don’t Feel Legitimate

This risk may rear its ugly head when you least expect it, like one woman described happened to her when making her business cards. She started to wonder:  Am I legit?

Do you feel confident to call yourself a kids yoga teacher?  If you don’t, it may be holding you back.  Is it time to commit and get legit with Yoga Alliance?  Or does it indicate a need for another change?  You’ll find a powerful meditation in the Rewards part to help you assess this risk and the others.

a group of kids yoga teachers holding their certificates
If you want to become a kids yoga teacher trainer, some students will want a Yoga Alliance Registered Training

Risk: Problems Becoming a Kids Yoga Teacher Trainer

The final risk will only affect those who see themselves becoming Kids Yoga Teacher Trainers (which I hope are many, because we’ve got to keep spreading the love).

The reason why I registered our school with Yoga Alliance was because people were asking for it.  It was a lot of work to write all the manuals, organize the kids camps, and meet all the requirements.  But people wanted it and it began to feel right to get it.  It was getting really difficult trying to cover everything in one weekend of training!

If you see yourself eventually teaching a teacher training, you may one day want to register with Yoga Alliance too.  If you don’t, you will be cutting off a bunch of students who only want a registered school training.  This may not be relevant now, but something to think about in the long term.

Rewards: You Make an Educated Decision And Get Clear on Your Goals

Indeed there are quite a few risks to consider when choosing a Kids Yoga Teacher Training.

So what are the rewards?

Beyond the obvious, you get to teach kids yoga, here are some pictures and tips from our Kids Mandala Workshop that are equally relevant to assessing the risks and rewards. Here’s why:

Kids Mandala Workshop Meditation and Yoga Presentation, kids hold up the mandalas they created with coloured ink and stampers

Making a Mandala helps us get clear on the answers to life’s questions because there is a trick to making a beautiful Mandala.

The way you do it, is to start in the centre and work your way from the inside out.

If you try to create your Mandala from the outside in, it often turns into a wonky sight.  But starting in the centre and working your way out will help you find balance and produce a Mandala that is very pleasing to the eye.

Try the same technique in your self-assessment and risk assessment. Start in the centre.

Start by understanding your heart’s desire and set your course from there.  Take some time to still your mind and recognize the external pressures.  Then turn your focus inward.

Take the knowledge, assess the risks, use them to get clear on what you want, then set your goals.  Set a course for yourself based on your passion and vision of your future, not what you feel pressured to do.  This is one of the biggest rewards life can offer.

kids mandala workshop - yoga Reward:  Setting Your Goals from the Inside Out

When you look inside you will eventually discover the answer that is right for you.

  • A recent graduate of our training is clear she won’t be teaching adults. She asked about more kids yoga training programs even though she’s completed the 95 hour requirements. She’s teaching 18 kids yoga classes a week!  More kids yoga training experiences will help her stay fresh and this is what she enjoys.
  • Another person I met has set short term and long term goals to go the Yoga Alliance route. She’s taking our 95 Hour Kids Yoga Training first so she can start with her passion, teaching kids. Then she’s going to get her 200 hour after.
  • Discover what is right for you using both knowledge and intuition.

Reward:  You Feel Truly Legitimate and Free

My meditation teacher used to say the goal of life is to understand who we are in this dream of existence and to be brave enough to wake up from the dream.

When you stand in front of a class of children, your training and experience will serve you, but ultimately it is you who will claim the title of Kids Yoga Teacher if you want it.

There are risks and rewards in all we do. When we look back on our life, we may have a few regrets, but we will mostly remember the times when we took a chance and truly felt alive.

If there is any way I can help you with your decision on taking Kids Yoga Teacher Training, come see me at the next Yoga Show or feel free to contact me directly:

Aruna
416-944-2888 or [email protected]

It can help to have mentors on the way, to assess the situation using their expertise, and clarify some of your options.

If you want to take a Kids Yoga Teacher Training, I invite you to consider Young Yoga Masters, a YA Registered Children’s Yoga School. Each weekend you take counts towards your 95 hr training.

A Meditation for the New Year – The Swimming Cow Story

As New Year’s approaches you may feel tempted to start making your resolutions but consider the Story of the Swimming Cow before you write that list of changes you want to make.

swimming cow (Cano Negro)

 The Swimming Cow Story

Once there was a cow who lived by the river. The cow chewed on grass in the field and gazed across at the other river bank. Everything looked so much better on that shore.  Then one day the cow decided to go for it, and walked into the water and swam and swam over to the other side.

When the cow reached the other riverbank she called out to a passerby, “Hello there.  Have I made it? Have I arrived on that shore?”

“No” the person said, “you are not on that shore, you are on this shore.”

Oh dear, thought the cow, I must have got turned around. The cow got back into the water and swam back to the other side and climbed back onto the shore.  She called out to someone, “Hello there.  Is this the other side?”

“No, you’re not on the other side, you’re on this side.”

The cow got back in the water and headed back to that shore on the other side.

The first time I heard the story of the swimming cow was from Alex, from Shanti Yoga Studio, who teaches a wonderful yoga class near me. I’ve told this story to the children I teach too.

I love this story because it shows the games the mind plays.  Just thinking of this cow, going back and forth, and back and forth, from one shore to the other. Spending all her time swimming, thinking things will be better if only she were on that side, if only she were somewhere else.

That’s one of the dangers of Resolutions if you make them feeling you need to be where you are not.  The cow shows it’s an exhausting place to be.

Resolutions do not interest me much now, though there is a part of me that is tempted to make them. The quiet time after Christmas is conducive to gazing into the distance thinking, “I want to be on that shore.”  If only I was thinner, wealthier, or you can fill in your own blank here……….  These are things I’ve wished for since childhood.

These resolutions come off like begging. They have never been effective for changing anything except tiring me out so when I feel these inadequacies I call on all my Yogic powers to get back on track.

That’s not to say I should ignore the feeling of inadequacy, of not being good enough. The Swimming Cow Story is great for a yoga class for kids or adults because it reminds you to get centered and examine your feelings and desires to see if they are really what you want or if they are just habits. The story shows you that you’ve got to manage these desires effectively and not waste time swimming back and forth without getting anywhere.

For example one of the most common New Year’s resolutions is to lose weight. Studies show that dieting can lead to weight loss followed by weight gain, a cycle with harmful physiological and psychological effects.

Resolutions might also cause a negative yo-yo effect if you are constantly making and breaking resolutions.  Rather than setting resolutions consider these options that I’ve taught in my Kundalini Kick Start Workshops in Toronto, Canada.

“We do not learn from experience,
…we learn from reflecting on experience.”

– John Dewey
Education Reformer/Philosopher (1859- 1952)

The Power of Reflection

Try looking at the past year, not only what you have done, but what you have learned.

Reflect on what went well and what you would change the next time around.

Consider not only the facts but also the feelings of the last year.

The Power of Intention

Reflection on the past year is a meditative way to center yourself to consciously set your intentions for the coming year.

For the past 4 years in the Kundalini Kick Start workshops we use these 3 hours to both reflect, do yoga, meditation and relaxation, and from this relaxed state we consciously set intentions.

Kids Yoga activity doing Warrior two yoga pose in a ciircle
Students make a Circle in Warrior Two Yoga Pose

Where is your spirit leading you for the new year?  Let your intention arise from within and spread outwards.  Rather than make a list of what you do not want, think of what you want.  What kind of lifestyle do you want to live, what do you want to do and feel?

Let yourself dream, and dream as big as you want!  For me, my intention is what gets me out of bed in the morning and sometimes keeps me up all night working. What is your passion?

Through the practice of yoga you learn your identity is not the way you look or the things you possess.  A Yogi’s identity lies in their spiritual identity, beyond time and space, and certainly not tied down to the first day of the new year.   A Yogi sets goals based on their spiritual identity.

If you don’t, there is a high probability that you will end up doing what others think you should do rather than walking your own path. Or worse, like the Swimming Cow asking, “Am I on the other side yet?”

Please see the comments below and share your intentions for the New Year.  Do you teach kids about New Years Resolutions?

Yours truly,

Aruna

P.S.  Here are some yoga poses for a kids class theme using The Swimming Cow Story for New Years.

The Swimming Cow Yoga Poses:

Cat/Cow pose, Downward Dog (eating grass), Upward Dog or Cobra (looking at the other side),  Leg lifts (walking to the shore), arm circles (swimming), twists (looking around for help), Standing back bend (reflecting on the past year), Standing forward fold with legs wide (reflecting on the past), Archer Pose/Warrior Two (setting an intention), Warrior Three (holding the intention).

 

Upcoming Kids Yoga Teacher Training

Kids in the Kids Yoga Teacher Training Kids Camp
Kids in the Kids Yoga Teacher Training Kids Camp

It a true honor and privilege to see kids faces light up when you share stories or teach yoga to children.  It has changed my life in so many surprising and beautiful ways.

If you would like to teach yoga to children, registration is now open for the January 18 start of the 95 hour Yoga Alliance Registered Kids Yoga Teacher Training.  Come and get the certification, tools and experience you need to be a Kids Yoga Teacher.  Details Here.

Share the wisdom of yoga with children. You will be glad you did!

Fantastic 15 Minute Bedtime Routine for Children or Adults

A chlld resting at the end of yoga class and yoga bedtime tips to help children relax and sleep.

 

Let’s face it, no matter what your age, there are times when it’s hard to fall asleep.

Anxiety can cause disruption to our sleep patterns, like worry about the first day of school for instance. For students, parents, or teachers having an effective bedtime routine can  can make the difference between a bright and chipper morning or feeling like cranky old so-and-so.  So what do the yogis recommend for a serene slumber?

First of all, it is always helpful to do a few yoga poses before beds and you can check out my favorite pose for sleep here.

But if you want a quick routine try incorporating these yogic tidbits that shouldn’t take more than 15 minutes to get you relaxed and ready to doze off.

Bedtime Routine for Children or Adults

  • Wash Your Feet in Cold Water (5 minutes): Stand in the tub, turn on the cold water and stick one foot under the water and then the other.  Do this at least 3 times per foot. Better yet, sit on the side of the tub and rub both feet under the frigid flow.  Let the worries of the day wash away and bring your attention to the present moment – namely your feet.  When the cold cascade is finished, rub your feet vigorously with a towel to stimulate all the 72,000 nerve endings in your tootsies.  It should feel like a wonderful foot massage.  If you’re helping someone else have a good night sleep, giving them a foot massage while they lie in bed is a sure fire way to show how much you care AND get them ready for sleep.
Yoga bedtime routine for children
Don’t Forget Your Feet for a Good Night’s Sleep!
  • Vision the Perfect Day (5 minutes):  One of the purposes of learning yoga is to help you think about what you want to think about, instead of thinking about what you don’t want to think about.  Once you are in bed and feeling relaxed from your foot massage, spend some time thinking about what kind of day you WANT to have. Vision that you wake up feeling refreshed, put on your favorite clothes (laying your clothes out in advance can also save time), have a great breakfast.  Imagine all the details you can in a positive way, like getting up a few minutes early (often doing this will help you wake up a couple minutes before your alarm goes off).  See yourself getting to school smoothly, a few minutes early so you are not rushed and frazzled.  Imagine greeting people you see with a smile.  If a worry crops up, then transform the worry into a wish of what you want and how you can handle problems that arise.  Many yogis find that when your vision of the future is clear, it is easier to achieve.
    The Yogis Suggest you Breathe through your Left Nostril to Relax

     

  • Turn on Your Right Side and Breathe (Left Nostril Breathing – 5 minutes):  Now you’re ready to fall to sleep.  Lie on your stomach and turn your head to the right so that your right cheek and nostril are smushed into the pillow.  Closing your right nostril will mean you are breathing through your left nostril, you can even put your hand under your cheek and use a finger to block the right nostril completely. Breathing through the left nostril is the cooling, relaxing, calming side.  See if you can slow your breath down so it is nice and slow. Try to reach 4 or less breaths per minute. This also helps the mind slow down and get into a relaxed state. Continue this long deep breathing listening to your breath or silently saying a mantra as you breathe in an out, like inhaling “Sat” (truth) , exhaling “Nam” (name/identity) or inhaling “Calm” and exhaling “Happy” or simply inhale and think “inhaling” and exhale and think “exhaling.”

These yogic steps can help you get really sleepy and when you are about to drift off you are welcome to change positions and fall asleep as you wish.

A little yogic wisdom can go a long way especially when it comes to a good night sleep.

Wishing you all a great night’s sleep and a great day ahead!  You’re invited to leave your Sleep Stories in the comments.

 

Upcoming Events:

Back to School means time for learning and development both professionally and personally.   Consider the upcoming training events with out Registered Children’s Yoga School (Yoga Alliance approved training) for your own back to school experience.

 

Upcoming Kids Yoga Teacher Training Courses and Dates in Toronto at this link

Share Yoga with Children and Uplift Yourself at the Same Time
You’ll be glad you did!

 

What is Meditation? How to Explain it to Kids?

A Boy from Our Kids Camp Discovering Techniques for Meditation

Why Meditation with Children?

Do you meditate?  If you have a regular practice of meditation or if you have tried it a few times you may know how good you feel afterwards.

Or you may find it excruciating!  You may find every second feels like five, and you want to open your eyes and check the clock or make sure the teacher hasn’t fallen asleep.

Well the same is true for teaching children about meditation, some kids love it and some find it difficult.

How To Meditate with Children

I was interviewed by Donna Freeman of The Kids Yoga Academy on her radio show.

If you are interested in teaching your kids how to meditate I suggest you give it a listen. Some of the most memorable experiences I’ve had have been from teaching kids about meditation including the story of one boy who used meditation to help him when his parents were getting divorced.

You can listen here:

 

Here is the link to listen on Blog Talk Radio, I think you will gain some insights on what its really like to teach meditation to children:

[button text=”Listen to Interview on Meditation for Children ” title=”Listent to Interview on Meditation for Children ” url=”http://www.blogtalkradio.com/yoga-in-my-school/2013/06/19/meditation-for-children” style=”dark” align=”center” target=”_self”]

 

Kids Yoga at a Community Centre where a Kids Yoga Teacher leads Meditaiton for Children, listen to the talk about Mediation with children.
Listen to the talk about meditation with children.

Meditation Techniques

All this is leading up to a few important events that will give you highly effective meditation techniques. If you want to teach your kids about meditation, to take their yoga beyond pretending to be animals, there are meditation activities included in all the weekend Kids Yoga Teacher Certificates we offer.

Here’s the link to upcoming Kids Yoga Teacher Certification dates.

 

Kids learning more Meditation Techniques at the Kids Camp

You may be amazed how much children enjoy meditation when you know which ones to teach.  Just like the kids in these pictures, you can teach meditation to kids and give them an experience to overcome the challenges. Then, as the story in the interview describes, they will know what to do when they are faced with unavoidable stress.

Now that is something worth passing on to children!

Upcoming Kids Yoga Teacher Training Courses and Dates in Toronto at this link

What Kids Silently Worry About

This drawing is by a young student who took yoga with me about eight years ago. She’s probably well into high school by now.  It’s a picture of her “Worry Tree.”

The Worry Tree

What Kids Silently Worry About

During relaxation we imagined a big tree where we put all our worries before we enter into our relaxation garden.  It may surprise you to see the kind of things she wrote down.  This girl was pretty quiet and seemed to be happy.  I had no idea what was going on beneath the surface until we did this guided relaxation and the drawing time that followed.

Here are her worries (I erased the names of the other kids she mentioned from her class):

  • I was called the B word,
  • B___ said she wishes that I was dead,
  • K____ said I suck at jump rope,
  • J____ said I suck and put her hand in my face,
  • I lose all my friends,
  • The teacher blames everything on me.

Modern Independence Day

Many people celebrated independence day last weekend.  I think Yoga helps us celebrate a modern independence.  In today’s world we need ways to free ourselves from our worries and fears.  We know stress is a silent killer.  The tools we teach children give them a way to voice that stress and find relief.  A freedom that they may not be able to find anywhere else.  And it’s something to celebrate.

So if you have times when you think teaching yoga to kids doesn’t really make a difference in their lives, think again.  Just because kids aren’t saying anything doesn’t mean they don’t have a tree full of worries.  You can make a difference.

Consider giving children some relaxation time with their heads on their desks and guide them through a session where they let go of their worries.  Examples include:

  • Imagine a big tree that they can pin their worries on and leave them there, then guide them to a safe place in their imagination like a garden or beach where they can relax,
  • Put their worry in a box and put the box up on the shelf,
  • Blow out your worry in a bubble and let the bubbles float away and disappear.

Are you surprised by this young girls list of worries?  Why or why not?

Do you use meditation and visualization tools to help kids deal with worry?

You’re invited to share your experience in the comments below.