Posts tagged: Practice

When Kids Need to Calm Down

I watched a mom hurriedly feeding an infant while another child hopped up and down next to the table. “But mommy,”…

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Helping Kids Find Their Anchors

My uncle took me fishing on his boat for my tenth birthday. Partway through the trip, his line snagged something and…

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Building Connections through Magical Gifts

As children head back to school, anxieties about relationships rise. Some wonder whether friends from last year will…

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Practicing Gratitude

Gratitude may seem like a natural attitude, but studies show it is primarily a skill that children learn from others.…

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Pathways to Wonder & Awe

The first time I saw flying fish, I was overcome with amazement. They looked like silvery stars twinkling in the waves…

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Everyday Rituals

When we think of rituals, we often recall major life or religious events like weddings, funerals, baptisms, bar…

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Creating a Calming Corner

December can be an overwhelming month for kids. Seasonal changes prompt a shift in clothing and outdoor activities.…

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Practicing Thanks-Giving

“Let’s go around the room and say something we’re thankful for,” says the teacher. “I’m thankful for apple…

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Kindness Projects

My children's elementary school had a student committee that planned service projects for every grade. Kids from…

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Practicing Calm

When my kids were little, getting everyone out of the house on time without tears or tantrums was a daily challenge.…

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Making Kindness a Goal

My social media feeds have been flooded with ‘first day of school’ photos. Children stand holding signs proclaiming…

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Celebrating Eid al Fitr

After 30 days of fasting, Muslim worldwide mark the end of Ramadan with Eid al Fitr, literally a festival of breaking…

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How Kids Learn to Remember

What’s your earliest autobiographical memory? If you are like most people, it’s probably a significant event from…

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Exploring Ramadan

Six years ago, I visited Istanbul with two of my children. We were there during Ramadan, which meant we observed…

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Shifting Bad Habits to Good Practices

When I was a child, I bit my nails. It was a reflexive action whenever I felt stressed or anxious. I don’t really…

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Family Hygge

It’s snowing outside, and all anyone wants to do is bundle up in a blanket, sip hot chocolate, and read. Maybe…

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Celebrating Kwanzaa with Children

Seven candles stand tall in a kinara, ready for lighting. Their number and colors (red, black, and green) suggest this…

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Meditation On Light

The winter months can be hard. Short days and long nights leave us longing for more sunlight. Cold temperatures chill…

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Developing Patience

“How many more days, mom? How many more?” Every December, my kids would be hyper-charged with excitement for the…

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Exploring Just Help! with Kids

How can children learn to build a better world? According to Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the answer is in…

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Encouraging Authenticity

Authenticity is trending as a value. Parents and children want to speak their truth and advocate for what they believe…

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Starters That Support Well-Being

“Can’t I just be 10 minutes late?” pleaded my daughter. We were driving to her Brownie troop meeting and I could…

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How Gratitude Builds Community

We hear a lot about supply chain ‘issues’ right now. Store shelves are emptier than in pre-pandemic days. Online…

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Exercising Attention

It’s the usual afterschool chaos in my house. Classic rock plays loudly and all three kids are gyrating in an…

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Please Don’t Praise the Kids

“You’re so smart!” These three words come easily to mind when children do or say something that demonstrates…

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Modeling Gratitude

“Thank you.” Two simple words we teach children when they’re small and hope they will use often. Giving thanks…

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Daily Intentions

Setting small spiritual goals each day is one way that children can take responsibility for their own moral and ethical…

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Setting Spiritual Goals

A few years ago, I taught a child who struggled with managing his emotions in group settings. He was unhappy about his…

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Taking Flight with The Year We Learned to Fly

Cultural and spiritual heritages are often passed on to new generations through stories and teachings by elders.…

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Emoji Spirituality

Kids love emojis. As fun visual substitutes for words, they help children share how they’re feeling and communicate…

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Mindful Art

Self-awareness and emotional regulation are spiritual skills that every child needs. Research shows that art activities…

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Taming Anxiety

One of my children goes quiet when she’s anxious. Another talks incessantly and blows up when he gets overwhelmed.…

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A 5E Model of Spiritual Education

One of my eldest child’s favorite memories is a series of 5th grade class sessions where they explored scientific…

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Finding Our Calm

When my middle child was in third grade, she was very anxious about taking tests. Her stomach would hurt and she would…

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Spiritual Reflection with Turning Red

Pixar’s newest release is a coming-of-age story about a Chinese Canadian girl accepting both her changing body and…

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Sharing Personal Spiritual Practices

Children’s group leaders often wonder how much to share about their personal lives with young people. We…

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New Year’s Examen

Examen is a reflective practice that originated in the 15th century. It’s purpose is to help children and adults…

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Expressing Gratitude

An American celebration of Thanksgiving generally involves liberal helpings of turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and…

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Guided Meditation for Peacefulness

Stress and anxiety are common occurrences in contemporary family life. Parents and children have a lot to do each day,…

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Creating a Mindfulness Space

Mindfulness practices help children to become more self-aware. When they spend time being present with themselves, they…

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Coloring as a Mindfulness Practice

As children return to in-person gatherings, they may feel anxious and stressed.  An art-based mindfulness practice can…

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Teaching Hope

I’ll admit that I have generally thought of hope as an emotional state: an optimistic feeling of possibilities…

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Spiritual Mirrors, Windows & Doors

“But mom,” my eldest complained, “why do I have to go to church school? They never talk about anything…

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Managing Big Emotions with Mindfulness

When my children were little and dealing with sibling arguments, I taught them a quick mindfulness practice to help…

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Family Spiritual Rules

Family spiritual rules are a little like superhero codes of conduct: they outline our values and the activities we…

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Examining Our Conscience

Many cultural and religious traditions have some kind of spiritual practice that involves reflecting on one’s…

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Family Hospitality

“Look at what I made,” says my son, holding up to me his newest drawing. I respond, “Just one more second,…

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Stimulating Spiritual Curiosity

When my children were younger, they regularly asked deep spiritual questions. Preschool drop-off conversations were…

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Guided Meditation for Justice Seekers

Children and adults often use guided meditation to help them relax or fall asleep. A soothing voice inviting you to…

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A Lament How-To

When life gets tough, a spiritual practice that deals with anxiety can make the difference between a whiny child and…

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