Six Essential Spiritual Practices Every Parent Can Try with Their Child

Spiritually Aware Parenting invites us to awaken to our shared journey with our children. To open our hearts to the greater presence and energetic aspects of our being as individuals and as parents to magnificent little ones.  

Nurturing our energetics is just as important as nurturing our physical. Just as we observe and explore what food makes them, and us, feel well, energized, and healthy, what sleep habits are best for them, or guide them on how to nurture their physical, such as washing their hands or brushing their teeth, we are invited to guide them with tools that will nurture their energetics.  

There are countless spiritual practices that nurture our energetics and that children relate to.  Here are six practices to explore: 

Breathing techniques.  

Breathing is key to a fulfilling life. Consciously bringing our attention to our breath offers control and power in many situations. Many advanced breathing techniques can help us in many ways. However, with children, it starts with the basics: bringing awareness to our breath, realizing we can ‘control’ its pace, and practicing slowing it down. Slowing means longer, quiet, relaxed inhaling and longer, relaxed, quiet exhaling.  

It helps if a child has prior practice slowing their breathing. Then, when stressed, slowing their breathing is easier. Slowing our breath is something we can quietly do without anyone noticing, and it’s always available. The easiest way to guide our children to their ability to slow their breathing intentionally is to slow our breathing together when we need to and consciously share with them the why (in an age-appropriate manner) and the invitation to slow with us.   

Nurturing visualization techniques.  

All children are born with the ability to imagine. Imagination is much more than a tool of our mind. It is a doorway to many nourishing tools. One of these tools is the visualization of light. Nourishing, beautiful, healing light. We can visualize light with our eyes closed or, as many children do, with their eyes open. We see the light dropping as soft rain, a waterfall, a light pull, bubbles of light, and any other way that works for us or for them. When inviting our children to visualize nourishing light, we will mostly find this is a tool they are already using, but without a name. We can invite them as part of a short breathing and meditation practice, or within a short healing story shared before bedtime.    

Techniques for centering.  

Our modern world is full of simulations. At the same time, children are often requested to be present, concentrate, and stay focused. There are many powerful techniques for grounding and centering. One simple centering technique I’ve learned worked for many of my clients is imagining a circle around them and standing in its center. We can do so literally, like having a centering spot in our house. Mostly, it’s the intention that helps our child. First, they notice they are not in the center of their imagined or literal circle and then learn how to bring themselves to it. Some bring themselves to their center using breathing techniques, and others jump around the circle until they feel ready and have their last jump into that center spot.  

Connecting to nature.  

Nature is our blessing. Spending time in nature, or with and around elements from nature, nourishes us in numerous ways. Nature benefits everyone, and especially spiritually aware and sensitive children. It cleanses much of the human noise, thus allowing interaction and presence in the now. Nature and connecting to Mother Earth also remind us of who we are. With no needed explanations or words, we connect to our source, receive nourishment, and feel gratitude for the beauty around us.    

Crystals and stones.  

Crystals and stones are both elements from nature that connect us to our essence and wisdom keepers, often traveling to us from faraway lands and times. I have never met a child who was not fascinated by these wonders. They don’t have to shine or be in bright colors as many crystals offer. It’s mostly the as-if ordinary stones from our local land that touch our hearts and offer healing. Stones can be held in our hands, placed by our hearts together with a few slow breathings, placed under our pillow or below our bed. We can blow a blessing into them and gift them to another or give them to our child to have in their school bag and carry our connection during their day. 

Journaling.  

Journaling or doodling in our private notebooks is a way to communicate with ourselves, integrate our thoughts and emotions, and often also receive guidance. As with all the tools I offer above and share more about on my website, the younger you start, the more this tool of journaling becomes a habit. Before they can write, they can draw. Taking time to sit together, parent and child, with our journals anchors this healthy habit.