Comments on: First Guided Reflection

By: Joe

Joe — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 14:05:50 +0000

Ali, I can tell that you won’t give up! Don’t forget that I had giggling 8th graders on my first attempt a week ago! Last night, attempt number 2 was much better (as I wrote about in today’s post). You know, the bean bags just might do the trick for them! You might want to just begin by having a “quiet” contest…tell the kids that you’d like to see who can stay still and quiet the longest and see how long they can go. Then, tell them that, to help them stay quiet longer, they should think about…and then have them think about the theme you have chosen such as the light/darkness idea you tried. Let us know how your next attempt goes!

By: Ali

Ali — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 12:13:28 +0000

Well, I tried it this past Sunday. I was met with two giggling 6 year olds Our lesson was about Light. I thought if I could have the kids lay quietly and close their eyes I will quietly talk about “darkness”. Then have them OPEN their eyes to see the light God has made. OMGoodness! LOL They are so cute, but so not mature enough. I’m stubborn though, and not giving up yet.

I’m in the process of rearranging our room, getting rid of a big desk and replacing it with bean bags. That might set up a better prayer/meditation space than the floor. Hehehehe.

What I really wanted to do was have them them close to me and I could put my are around them similar to how I do with my own kids when we have quiet time here at home. Unfortunately, that’s frowned upon.

So, better luck next time for us.

By: Kate

Kate — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 00:31:30 +0000

Hi Joe,

If you do the guided reflection for the younger children, I would be
interested. Our Director has done this with us before class.

Another reflective meditation
would be very useful to me.

Thanks Joe,

Kate

By: Joe

Joe — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 00:48:02 +0000

Ali, that sounds like such a wonderful idea to have the kids think of one special blessing…I can just imagine what goes on in their little minds and hearts!

By: Joe

Joe — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 00:45:16 +0000

Amy, good recommendation about “the red string” for use with the little ones.

By: Amy

Amy — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 00:02:12 +0000

“The red string” is a great reflection for little ones. I used it very successfully with 2nd graders.

I have to admit, I have great respect for those who are called to work with preschoolers and primary graders. It is not my strength.

By: Ali

Ali — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 14:48:45 +0000

Oh, I know 5 minutes would be to long But I do think we could start with 30 to 60 seconds. Our first class was “God Made Everything”. We closed with each child (all three of them! lol) individually thanking God for one special blessing. I think we could have had quiet time for a short time afterward to just concentrate on each child’s blessing.

I have so much I want to do this year, and not much time to get it done! Outside class prep, that is. LOL

By: Joe

Joe — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 14:07:14 +0000

Ali, I’ll teach you how to work with the older kids if you teach me how to work with the little ones! I’ve said it before, I couldn’t do what you and all the pre-school, K, and primary catechists do, working with the wee ones! I admire your patience and skill.

Having said that, I have no doubt that the little ones are capable of reflective prayer. Certainly not a 12-15 minute one like the one I did, but a few minutes to quiet themselves, close their eyes, pay attention to their breathing, and imagine spending a few minutes with Jesus and speaking to him and listening to him speak. Little children are the masters of imagination and the Spirit uses our imaginations to encounter the Lord. I’ll see what I can do about posting a guided reflection for little children.

By: Ali

Ali — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 11:16:50 +0000

Ohhhh, I love it! Will you be my teacher? LOL Somehow I’m thinking we would have to work up to this with littles, but I would like to implement something like this during our prayer circle.