As adults, we are so used to the symptoms that come from a lack of grounding, that sometimes we don’t even recognize that it’s a lack of grounding we feel. You know how sometimes you let the busyness of your life take over and as a result you feel like you are out of control, running on autopilot, disconnected from friends and family, and disconnected from the Earth? Yup. That’s a lack of grounding.
Children can experience this as well. It happens when they get overwhelmed and stressed by those big emotions and lose their connection with their body and breath. It can happen during times of uncertainty or big change. And it happens when they don’t spend enough time outside exploring nature.
Sometimes children need to touch the Earth, to hold a piece of it in their hands, in order to remember that they are a part of it, and to feel connected to it. When we help children to feel grounded, we are reminding them to return to their physical body, to pay attention to their breath, to recognize and remember that they are a part of the Earth, and that they are connected to everyone and everything on the planet.
Here is a simple and fun activity that you can do with your children to help them feel grounded, whether you are a parent, school teacher, therapist, children’s yoga teacher or anyone working with kids in some manner.
Grounding Activity for Children
Children can experience this as well. It happens when they get overwhelmed and stressed by those big emotions and lose their connection with their body and breath. It can happen during times of uncertainty or big change. And it happens when they don’t spend enough time outside exploring nature.
Sometimes children need to touch the Earth, to hold a piece of it in their hands, in order to remember that they are a part of it, and to feel connected to it. When we help children to feel grounded, we are reminding them to return to their physical body, to pay attention to their breath, to recognize and remember that they are a part of the Earth, and that they are connected to everyone and everything on the planet.
Here is a simple and fun activity that you can do with your children to help them feel grounded, whether you are a parent, school teacher, therapist, children’s yoga teacher or anyone working with kids in some manner.
Grounding Activity for Children
- Take your children outside to hunt for a special rock. This can be any kind of rock they are drawn to, as long as it isn’t too heavy and can fit in the palm of their hand.
- Once they have collected their rocks, find a quiet and peaceful place to sit, indoors or outdoors.
- Have the children hold their rock in their hands and close their eyes. They can play with the rock, turn it over, feel its smooth or bumpy surface, and notice any qualities about the rock. This is a quiet moment for them to connect to a piece of the Earth.
- After a few moments, direct the children’s attention to how hard and sturdy their rock is. Remind them how sturdy the Earth is as it holds and supports them.
- Keeping eyes closed, recite this short mantra to the children line by line, and have them repeat it back to you.
I am here.
I feel my body.
I hear my breath.
I am part of the Earth. - Children can keep their rock in a special place or even carry it around with them so that whenever those feelings of upset and disconnect come over them, they can hold onto their rock and recite their mantra to help them feel calm, stable and grounded.
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