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How to Meditate: Meditation 101 for Beginners

10 Science-Backed Benefits of Meditation

What is Meditation?

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Motivation for Meditation

Let’s take a look at the practical ways in which we can support children’s motivation for meditation and empowering their voice.

Hello and welcome.

Today, we're going to talk about

helping children to grow the

motivation for practicing meditation.

We're going to do this through the focus

of fostering intrinsic motivation by

encouraging children's sense of autonomy.

Intrinsic motivation is the

motivation to start an activity

because of the psychological needs

related to enjoyment and interest.

And unlike the extrinsic motivators of

praise and reward, intrinsic motivation

doesn't depend on outside factors.

Therefore it's more sustainable and

it strengthens their persistence.

So how exactly can we apply this idea for

inspiring the motivation for meditation?

We are going to empower children's sense

of autonomy through the power of choice.

We can do this by embodying a

compassionate curiosity for what children

have to say and following in their lead

of how to progress through a meditation.

For example, when asking children

to practice meditation, we can give

them the opportunity to choose from

a selection of two to three options.

This handful of options allows you

to still guide the direction of

the meditation while giving them

that key sense of autonomy without

being too overwhelmed by choice.

Some of the areas that you can give

these choices include, which meditation

audio or music to use, when and

for how long the meditation goes on

for, and where they're meditating.

As we're encouraging choice and autonomy,

we're showing that we truly respect their

voice and that we're valuing their ideas.

This gives them the confidence to

take ownership over their actions.

And the sense of ownership and

control allows children to develop

feelings of responsibility and

accountability over an activity.

So let's approach meditation with our

children with flexibility and a true

appreciation for children's creative

expression as we learn from our children

and follow in their lead to find true

joy in the practice of meditation.

And if they still aren't enjoying the

experience, it's absolutely okay and even

productive to say, "That's all right.

We can try again another

time when you're ready."

Thank you so much for your

time and presence here today.

And thank you for sharing the joy and

power of meditation with your children.

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