Storybook Teaches Children Mindfulness Techniques

Children for all walks of life are exposed to stressful situations daily and learn to think in a way that creates anxiety. Some suffer hardships or see family members go through medical challenges, while others may be exposed to violence or substance abuse. Even children who come from privileged homes with intact families face challenges, whether it be parents who push them too hard, bullies who tease them at school, or online videos that send the wrong messages. All of these events can create insecurities and fears, which today’s youth don’t know to handle. Learning mindfulness techniques can help children be more resilient in the face of stress and help ease their worries.

The Dolphin’s Secret: A Meditational Journey for Children

By Meryl Best Lowell

Califf Creations was supplied with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This by no means influenced the review. This post includes affiliate links. That means that if you purchase through these links that Califf Creations will receive compensation that is of no extra cost to you. This helps cover the costs of Califf Creations.

The Dolphin’s Secret: A Meditational Journey for Children (March 1, 2019) by Meryl Best Lowell introduces children to Yoga Nidra-an ancient form of guided meditation which incorporates a sequence of mindfulness techniques-and encourages them to add it to their lives in order to feel calmer and happier. The book weaves how-to steps into the whimsical story of Meri, a beautiful mermaid, and her friend Aloha, a dolphin. Using The Dolphin’s Secret, parents and teachers can lead children ages 4-8 in these exercises as they lay down before naptime or bedtime.

“When children are scared, tired or sad, sometimes they act out in undesirable ways,” says Lowell. “The easy relation techniques incorporated into the story of Meri and Aloha will help caregivers as they guide children through ways to better manage themselves when they have these feelings. Not only can the story be used for entertainment when a child is feeling tired, but it can also be referred to in scenarios when a child is upset, and a parent or teacher needs to take action to calm them and stop the behavior from escalating.”

Through listening to The Dolphin’s Secret story, following the instructions for each mindfulness activity, and being encouraged to notice how they feel, children will learn to become more aware of what peace and ease feel like-in an entertaining way. Colorful illustrations transport kids on an underwater adventure with Meri, as she teaches children to pretend to blow bubbles like dolphins, using slow, deep breaths in from their nose and out through their mouths. Once the children are in a relaxed state, Meri incorporates mantras like, “I have all that I need inside me to be peaceful and happy.” If encouraged by their parents or teacher, our little ones can begin using these on their own. Readers will also benefit and feel the positive effects on their own minds and bodies.

“We can use Yoga Nidra methods every day to quickly shift our bodies out of ‘fight or flight’ mode when we’re anxious,” adds Lowell. “Now children can recognize that although negative thoughts occur, they can float on by.”

About Meryl Best Lowell

Meryl Best Lowell has been exploring and practicing different forms of meditation since 2005, when she was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer. Lowell believes that Yoga Nidra makes meditation and deep relaxation accessible to everyone. She received her certification as an advanced level facilitator of Yoga Nidra at the Amrit Yoga Institute in Salt Springs, Florida in October of 2016. In the spring of 2018, Lowell was hiking in Arizona when she was inspired to write a series of children’s books, which incorporate the mindfulness techniques of Yoga Nidra. Her first book in the series, The Dolphin’s Secret: A Meditational Journey for Children, focuses on giving children a direct experience of meditation. Lowell currently resides in South Lake Tahoe, California, with her Toy Australian Shepherd, Blaze. She credits the practices of Yoga and Yoga Nidra with giving her the inner resources to venture into rock climbing, skydiving and parasailing.

Connect with Meryl Best Lowell on Facebook and Instagram and visit www.merylbestlowell.com

The Dolphins’s Secret: A Meditational Journey for Children is available in paperback on Amazon and other retailers.

My Review

Mindfulness is a very difficult thing to teach to children. My son is incredible active and often has a hard time slowing down. That makes this book perfect for him. We are working on it slowly as he is still a little younger than the recommended age 4-8. With each attempt, we make it a little further in the book and a little closer to an actual calm, which is quite a feat for my little guy. I love how the book takes him on a journey that allows him to learn to control his breathing, relax and find peace. The techniques taught in this book are great for teaching him to work through his emotions and get in touch with his inner self. This book is also great for kids to learn to follow instructions as they have to do so in order to take full advantage of the book.

I am learning a lot from it myself as well. As a mother, I get very frustrated with my toddler at time (I know any toddler moms can relate). Going through these techniques with him gives me the chance to practice with him. Pretty soon, I’m sure I’ll be hearing reminders from him to breath just like I often remind him! It’s a wonderful thing to go on a meditational journey with your children and I know that once we are able to master it, we will both be better people.

The Dolphin’s Secret is a great way to teach kids mindfulness and how to be in touch with themselves in a way I wasn’t sure how to do before receiving this book. Learning to control emotions and ease anxiety with these techniques is essential for children and this book is a great tool for teaching children these abilities.