Teaching Meditation to Pre-School Children

By: Ashin Sarana
I got a chance to teach meditation to several pre-school children (4-6 years old) in Czech Republic. My friend then asked me to write a summary of the way that I taught them. See below for a summary and a detailed example of what a session may look like. During the second session I have realized that the key to gain the children's attention is to teach them by small groups, possibly by three, or max. four at once. As soon as there are more than three or four, the teacher might lose the attention of some children while he/she pays attention to another child. Also, in an irreligious and multi-religious environments it is the unavoidable requirement to get written permission from the parents of each and every child for teaching them Buddhist meditation, and possibly show the parents the text of the procedure (e.g. the one presented below) before the first session. This time I wasn't super-strict, and there were complaints. To prevent further complaints from the parents, my next invitation to teach the children was cancelled.

Summary:

1. The teacher will explain how morality and meditation lead to happiness and satisfaction.
2. The teacher then explains the four precepts (i.e. the five precepts without the third) as the basis for happiness, satisfaction, and successful meditation.
3. Thereafter the teacher explains the three kinds of meditation (calm, observing body, observing mind), and the meaning of what is body and mind.
4. The teacher then leads the children to see that their breath moves from nostrils to the belly, and that the belly rises and falls according to the breath.
5. When the children understand what to observe, they meditate together with the teacher for five minutes.
6. The teacher then leads the children to show their gratitude to the Buddha for the instructions.

You can read the detailed reflection of the teaching: meditation for kids
in the NewPilgrim 170425 here >>