Media reports of a mental health crisis among young people have appeared regularly in the last two years. Psychologists and educators agree that kids are under immense amounts of pressure and some did not weather pandemic-related isolation or loss well. Advice varies as to how parents and caregivers should respond. One researcher offers a novel idea: what if we promoted the acquisition of contemplative skills in the same way we champion involvement in sports and the arts?
Michael Sheehy is a parent and researcher at the University of Virginia. He studies the role of contemplation in fostering children’s wellbeing. He is particularly interested in how regular training in contemplative skills might help kids know themselves better and make good choices for the future. He also sees a variety of ways in which contemplative practices enrich children’s lives in the here and now.
Sheehy notes that contemplation, like artistic engagements, cultivates imagination, adaptability, and attention to detail. Through a practice such as sitting quietly with their eyes closed and listening to the sounds around them, children hone their senses. They notice the differences between bird calls or car horns, imaginatively picturing what their ears hear. Via guided meditation, they explore various scenarios and possible responses. A simple body scan exercise helps them pay attention to how emotions are expressed physically.
Like sports training, contemplative practices can also increase spatial awareness, teamwork, and focus. Breathing exercises and yoga movements help children center themselves and recognize how they take up space in the world. Done in a group, these practices build a sense of connectedness with others. Kids learn to focus on their own breathing or poses while also being aware of what others around them are doing. They come to recognize that those next to them are breathing in a similar cadence or moving with the same purpose.
Sheehy also emphasizes the transferable nature of contemplative skills. A child can use the imaginative skills cultivated in guided meditation to explore ways of building relationships or resolving conflicts. The focus developed through breath work can be applied to situations in which good decision-making depends on careful reflection. Listening skills honed by sitting outdoors in silence and noticing sounds can benefit relationship-building.
Practicing contemplation regularly also changes the way children’s brains work. Kids are able to manage their behavior more effectively because they recognize emotional triggers and have skills to deal with them. Their increased ability to focus translates into a better memory for pertinent information. They demonstrate stronger critical thinking and decision-making capabilities. And their sensory and tactile awareness is enhanced because of mindful engagement with their bodies.
Sheehy and others even have evidence that contemplation increases children’s sense of awe and being ‘in the flow’ of life. It’s a way of celebrating what’s good and being more in touch with themselves. It encourages them to focus on what matters most to them rather than being distracted by other, less helpful, messages. And that’s good for kids’ mental and spiritual health.
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