Teaching mantras to children

A simple prayer mantra is easy to teach to children … and adults. It helps children focus their minds on the positive and to make space for God to be with them.

Teach all children the power of their words. Words can hurt, help or heal. Ask children to be aware of their speech as a meditation practice. Think of good words and compile a class list of mantras. “Love, joy, peace, kindness, creation, thank you” etc.
Encourage or challenge children to say a mantra five times, ten times, for one minute. See what happens!
Choose a word, such as peace. Have children say the word in a variety of ways. Fast, over and over again; super slow and dragging out each letter’s sound and syllable. Have them sing it or shout it.
Create a list from Scripture or prayer; e.g. I am with you; Be not afraid; Peace to you, peace to me; Be with me God,
Find time for quiet meditation and to use a mantra.
Use powerful, positive words e.g. affirmations such as I am gentle, I am peaceful, I am calm, I am loving.
Encourage children to take their mantra into their daily lives, repeat before sleep and while they are walking they could repeat the mantra silently to themselves.
Focus on their breath, using the sound of the breath as a mantra.
Teach them to use meditation beads or a rosary. Repeat a word, a personal choice, that has meaning to them for each bead. By giving them their own beads, they can practice on their own.