I’m trying to expand the Sound in Space meditation game for my kids. They are four now so maybe, just maybe their attention span can be shaped a bit more. I decided to combine some Sound in Space (which my kids adore) with some savasana.
Yesterday, I practiced yoga while the girls ran a muck playing with their toy trains and police cars. At the end of my practice, I got them some blankets and spread out a blanket for me and had them lay down in savasana. I explained that we were going to play Sound in Space but with some different rules. This time, when the sound of the bell (which looks like this) ends, instead of opening their eyes and raising their hands, I told them to say quiet and listen to the sound of their breathing.
We started. And it worked! I made sure to make my breaths extra loud. Four year olds are masters of mimicry so they picked up on my breathing right away. We held it for 10 breaths or so, then I sounded the bell again to end the meditation.
One of the girls said “That was so BEAUTIFUL!” I asked: Did they want to do it again? ”No, Mom,” and off they ran.
And I let them go. I’ve noticed that interests and topics blow in and out of my twins’ heads like a fitful wind. One moment, they’ll ask be questions about death: “When am I going to die? Why did Nana got dead like Grandpa Rick?” and so on. And I will answer honestly – I’ll talk about cancer and all sorts of things that you might think would be disturbing to a four year old. No matter; a few minutes later, they’ll be laughing and telling fart jokes.
Unlike adults, who like try to understand things in one big lump, my children seem to learn cumulatively from touching on a subject briefly several times over a long period of time. The tricky-yet-cool thing is letting them go when you want to teach them more. Telling yourself they’ll be back, next time with more questions and a different outlook.
Kids are awesome.
