Teaching The Skill Of Silence To A Child
Silence in this world of stimuli and instability is almost as hard to find as gold. Therefore, teaching the child the skill of silence is very important from an early age. In this article, we talk about the benefits of the skill of silence and explain why it is so very important for a child’s development.
How many minutes a day do you spend enjoying silence? Do you want a calm atmosphere at home so that each family member can connect with their innermost thoughts? This may sound like wishful thinking for young children, but it is especially important today to teach them to appreciate moments of peace and relaxation.
Pay attention to the useful aspects of the skill of silence. And if possible, consider using it in your own home.
The benefits of silence
Enjoying a few quiet minutes during the day offers many benefits, and of course this also applies to children.
Science has proven that being quiet has the following benefits:
- It fights stress, as one of the main causes of stress is excessive noise. Sounds over 30 decibels can cause stress and high blood pressure.
- It promotes focus on problem solving and brings peace of mind when overcoming difficulties.
- It supports the development and recovery of resistance.
In this sense, incorporating a few moments of relaxation between the day’s chores or before going to bed can be a very good option. There are also peaceful hobbies that children can take part in – yoga, for example – offering opportunities for small moments of meditation.
Why is it worth teaching the skill of silence?
Now that you know why silence is an important part of well-being, you will understand why teaching the skill of silence is necessary. Children are hectic for a good reason, but today’s technology and hectic lifestyle have filled our lives with constant stimuli.
This is why it is increasingly important to teach children that quiet moments are good for them. Below we list the main reasons why a child should be taught to appreciate silence.
A moment to enjoy life
The little ones in the family are the most restless members of our community, exploring the world with great interest. Everything around you grabs the child’s attention, and everything has to be watched, smelled and tasted.
But older people don’t always give a child the freedom to do so. We live in a fast-paced world, running everywhere without getting anywhere. The worst part is that we also take our children with us on this squirrel wheel.
What should we do? Calm down and run things more calmly. Sit with your child down in the park and give him space, time and freedom to move and explore.
Take a moment of the day and dedicate it to the fact that neither of you is doing anything at all. This will give you a chance to pause for a moment and see and think about what is happening in the world.
Quality, not quantity
Have you heard of the concept of multitasking ? This means that a person performs several things at the same time or changes things at a fast pace. Our brains are not trained in this kind of activity, and on the contrary it consumes us and our energy.
Many children today are taught that it is better to do more than one thing at a time rather than focus on doing one thing well. In this way, children live in a state where thoughts and commandments come and go, without being able to just listen to their own will.
Teaching the skill of silence means leaving room for thoughts in the midst of the rush. In general, the best ideas and the most creative work are born in a calm mind and environment that allows us to think, analyze and make decisions.
Understanding and admiring the world
Silence is a great tool for a child to reflect on the things around him and how he ended up in his current state.
The child wonders how the tree in front of him grew so tall, how the bird knew how to build its nest one branch at a time, and at what time the sun hides behind the buildings on the horizon.
We live an essentially alienated life at a pace that does not belong to us, and thus we do not notice all the simple but very significant changes that take place right before our eyes.
Such perceptual ability is vital for fostering critical thinking and analytical skills. Teaching the skill of silence is a good way to develop this ability.
Montessori play of silence
This is one of the best activities as we think about ways to teach the skill of silence. Developed by Italian pegagogue Maria Montessor, this play invites children to develop their own space for reflection and calm.
The rules of the game are very simple:
- Ask the children to sit on the floor in the ring.
- Then ask them to imagine that they are flowers, stones, or other immovable objects. After this, children should remain silent for 30 seconds.
- When your child hears your own name or some other voice you agree on, it’s time for them to open their eyes.
- Ask the children to explain how they felt in that moment of silence.
Every day you play this play brings a few more seconds of silence. It is a very useful activity during which children get to experience something different. It helps them exercise self-discipline, self-control and patience.
As a parent, it is your job to make sure that your child has access to everything he or she needs for his or her development. This also includes those things that are often overlooked, but which are nonetheless extremely valuable. Silence is one of those things. So explore the peace that your child’s silent world brings.
