Meditation Helps Kids Chill Out, Reduce Impulsivity
The words "zen" and "child" don't exactly go together, but that hasn't stopped a growing number of parents from "ohm schooling" their kids in the art of yoga, meditation and relaxation.
Andrew Kelly of Boston said he and his 10-year-old son, Hayden, have been meditating together since Hayden was 7 years old. Each morning before school, father and son sit on cushions, legs crossed, eyes closed, quietly monitoring the rise and fall of their chests as they breathe.
"We do this for exactly 12 minutes because 12 is his favorite number," Kelly explained.
Kelly said they practice "mindfulness" -- a series of meditation techniques that slow the mind and fix attention on the present. The brain chills out, slows down and focuses on what is happening at the moment.
Meditation research has demonstrated the countless health-positive effects of practicing mindfulness, which are applicable to adults and children alike. Given the increased plasticity of the developing brain, mindfulness may be an especially transformative practice for youth.
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