Resources for Teaching Meditation to Children

Joe Paprocki Prayer/Guided Reflections

While in Tucson, AZ, at their catechetical conference last week, I spent some time at a booth in the exhibit hall sponsored by The World Community for Christian Meditation. There, I found some very nice resources for teaching Christian meditation to children. The WCCM traces its contemporary roots to London, 1975, when John Main established the Christian Meditation Centre. It considers itself a “monastery without walls.” Recently, Bishop Michael Putney of the Diocese of Townsville (Queensville, Australia) has introduced meditation for children in the diocesan Catholic schools, pre-school to Year 12.

I personally picked up the following resources: Coming Home – A Guide to Teaching Christian Meditation to Children and Open Our Hearts – 9 Minute Meditations for Children.

I also purchased something I’ve wanted for a long time: a meditation chime! These are inexpensive and can be used to call people to prayer or to signal the end of group work or the end of a guided reflection or even just the start of class! It beats shouting to get attention! It is about 7 inches long and weighs less than half a pound.

 

Also, be sure to look at these resources for leading guided reflections from Loyola Press.

 

 

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About Joe Paprocki 2742 Articles
Joe Paprocki, DMin, is National Consultant for Faith Formation at Loyola Press, where, in addition to his traveling/speaking responsibilities, he works on the development team for faith formation curriculum resources including Finding God: Our Response to God’s Gifts and God’s Gift: Reconciliation and Eucharist. Joe has more than 35 years of experience in ministry and has presented keynotes, presentations, and workshops in more than 100 dioceses in North America. Joe is a frequent presenter at national conferences including the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, the Mid-Atlantic Congress, and the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership. He is the author of numerous books, including the best seller The Catechist’s Toolbox, A Church on the Move, Under the Influence of Jesus, and Called to Be Catholic—a bilingual, foundational supplemental program that helps young people know their faith and grow in their relationship with God. Joe is also the series editor for the Effective Catechetical Leader and blogs about his experiences in faith formation at www.catechistsjourney.com.

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6 Comments

  1. When I looked around for meditation chimes and bells, I found the price a bit steep. Instead, I found an Iphone app that does a decent job and is very inexpensive. The added advantage is that one does not have to be concerned about looking at the clock since there is a built in timer.
    App Store – Insight Timer – Meditation Timer http://bit.ly/HrF2xM

    Reply

  2. One more comment… I have used Christina Meditation with high school students and they responded very well to it, but now I think I would prefer Centering Prayer instead because Centering Prayer integrates scripture in its approach (lectio divina) – a dimension I feel is somewhat lacking in Christian Meditation. See http://www.centeringprayer.com/

    Reply

  3. This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I love seeing websites that understand the value of providing a quality resource for free.

    Thank you very much and looking forward for more informative articles in the future. Bookmarked!

    http://www.meditationdirectories.com

    Reply

  4. Thanks for sharing. I’ve been using meditation with my daughter to help her get to sleep for many years now. I make up new ones incorporating her favourites places, foods, animals and people and try and include the five senses. I often ask her to imagine God’s loving presence around her. It works so well and is such a lovely way to drift off to sleep.

    Reply

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