Zen-Haven April 23 2013 (Thanks, Soren)
Now, more than ever, it’s wise to encourage our children’s faculties of perception, some of which are called extra-sensory. They’re not really extra, as we know… they’re natural. Just in the course of accomplishing daily activities, we can create situations and games that affirm and strengthen a child’s natural abilities of observation, perception, intuition and feeling.
We can also set up experiences that show how change need not be stressful – in fact, it can be calmly experienced and even enjoyed. Children do need a solid foundation of trust in themselves and in their caregivers, as we are living in a time of collapse and renewal.
Things are going to change, and the emotional wave of fear will be all around us. If we support the child’s natural ability to see and feel their way through things, they’ll make smarter decisions and be less affected by fear.
There are any number of games you can create to heighten awareness. Children quickly understand games, and they love to be tested. For example, while driving with them, take an alternate route, well beyond the places that they are familiar with. Then at some point, ask them to help you find the way home. Let them decide which way to turn, and follow their directions.
In the beginning they may get it wrong, but once they understand this game could happen at any time, they’ll become much more observant. From my experience, they find the way without wandering around too much, and they can become very good at it.
Another similar game can be played anywhere you sit down together – a restaurant, a relative’s house, a shopping mall. Instruct the children to look around and observe everything because later on you are going to ask some questions. Tell them that if they get the answers right, you’ll give them a treat or excuse them from a chore.
After several hours have passed, ask your questions. Some examples could be: how many people were sitting in the corner booth, or what color was your Aunt Lillian’s blouse, or what was written on the sign in front of the shoe store. It’s observation and memory training… simple and fun. Such training is not just for the brain though… it can be upgraded into a ‘what feeling did you get from that’ type of inquiry.
Let’s move on to routine. Doing the same thing at the usual time helps children feel safe, and it’s a good thing for parents too. But keep in mind that too much reliance on routine can cause problems of stress or even fear if the routine is broken. I believe in breaking patterns now and then and helping children feel comfortable with change.