Silent Thinking
Children need to have time to just sit and get into contact with their inner selves if they are to be able to improve their concentration and maintain balanced physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. Silent sitting can be a useful strategy to settle them down when they are restless or when they have come back into class after recess or lunch breaks. You can ask them just to sit quietly on their chairs, or sometimes allow them to lie on the floor and close their eyes. In our experience we have found that the first few times we ask children to do this they are inclined to be a bit self-conscious and to make silly noises or try to distract their neighbours. After doing it a few times, however, most children settle into the routine and often even ask for it if they are feeling the need to settle down or relax.
If you want to, you can give them some guidance by asking them to focus on slow, steady breathing or even to visualise a silver-white light moving steadily through their bodies, bringing relaxation and positive thoughts wherever it touches.
Children only need to practise silent sitting and inner listening for a few minutes each day to be able to experience its benefits. Five or ten minutes is usually quite enough.
Most children appreciate the opportunity to listen to their own inner silence for a while. If they do not find this easy to do, you can help them by playing some soft music that will give them a focal point. In time they will experience the sense of inner calmness and the music will not be as important.