How To Teach Your Children The Art Of Silence
In a world full of stimuli and volatility, silence is as difficult to find as gold. Therefore, it is extremely important to teach children the art of silence from an early age.
In this article, we explain the benefits of doing so for children’s development.
How many minutes a day do you set aside to enjoy silence? Do you prefer a calm atmosphere in the home so that all family members connect to their own thoughts?
Maybe it sounds like a utopia when it comes to young children. But teaching children the art of silence is getting them to value those moments of peace and relaxation is a key factor in our current existence.
Pay attention to the benefits of teaching children the art of silence. And if you find it appropriate, apply it in your home.
Benefits of silence
Enjoying a few minutes of silence at different times of the day offers great benefits to people. Of course, this also applies to children.
Science has proven that silence promotes the following aspects:
- It counteracts stress, as the main cause of stress is loud noise. Sound of more than 30 decibels is considered capable of creating stress and high blood pressure.
- It promotes concentration to solve problems and offers more peace of mind to deal with difficulties.
- It helps the development and recovery of the immune system.
Because of this, it may be a good idea to take a few minutes during the day or before bedtime to relax in silence. Activities such as yoga, which can also be practiced by children, offer moments of meditation.
Why is it wise to teach children the art of silence?
Now that you have seen the reasons why silence is such an important element, it is necessary to clarify why it is so important to teach children the art of silence.
Children are active in their own right, but our current technology and lifestyle have increased the factor of constant stimulation.
Therefore, the importance of making them see the benefits of these moments is much greater. These are the main reasons why you should teach your child to value silence.
A moment to enjoy life
Our little ones are the most restless and curious explorers in the world. Everything that surrounds them catches their attention and they want to see, smell and taste it.
However, adults do not always give them the freedom to do so.
We live in a fast-paced world where you run all the time without getting anywhere. The worst thing is that most people take their children with them.
What are we going to do then? Make everything calmer. Sit down with your children in a park and give them space, time and freedom to move and explore.
Create time dedicated to doing nothing for both you and your children. It is possible to stop, look for and think about what is happening in the world.
Quality over quantity
Have you heard of the concept of “multitasking”? Or multitasking when it comes to children?
Both concepts embody the idea that humans are capable of doing several things at once with the same level of attention and degree of perfection.
But our brain is not made for this; on the contrary, it just wears us out more when we try.
What children learn today is that it is better to do several things at once than to do one thing properly.
Therefore, they are constantly exposed to a constant flow of thoughts and orders without actually being able to listen to what their own will says.
Teaching children the art of silence means creating space for this reflection, even when we have a lot to do.
In general, the best and most creative ideas arise in calm environments where we are in a position that allows us to think, analyze and decide.
The art of silence helps us to understand and admire the world
Silence is a powerful tool for children to contemplate what they have around them and how they came to that state.
They wonder how the tree became so big; how the bird could build that nest stick by stick; at what time the sun hides behind the buildings on the horizon.
We live so alienated, in a rhythm that is not our own that we do not notice how simple and obvious life changes happen right before our eyes.
The capacity for this observation is fundamental to creating critical thinking and analytical ability. Teaching children the art of silence is a great way to develop it.
Montessori’s silent play
This is one of the best activities when it comes to teaching children the art of silence. This game, developed by Italian educator Maria Montessori, invites children to create a place for reflection and relaxation.
It is very easy to perform:
- The children should sit on the floor, in an orderly circle.
- Ask them to start imagining that they are flowers, stones or immobile objects. They should be silent for 30 seconds.
- When they hear the sound you are indicating or when they are called by their name, they should open their eyes.
- Ask them to explain what they felt during that moment of silence.
Every day that you in addition to this activity you can add a few seconds of silence. It is an extremely beneficial activity and at the same time very different for the children.
It allows them to exercise discipline, self-control and patience.
As a mother, you need to think about offering everything that is necessary for his or her essential development. This often includes things that are invisible but extremely important.
Silence falls into this category: introducing your child to the relaxed reality of the absence of sound.
