Why the pandemic is the perfect opportunity to introduce meditation to children

"While there is a myriad of expert opinions on what long term effects this pandemic will have on our children and their physical and mental health, we must also remember the age-old idiom: this too shall pass. We must also be sensitive to not add to parents’ already full plates. Meditation is not meant to be another task on the already burdened shoulder of parents, but quite the opposite: a way to cope with the increasing demands placed on us by the pandemic.

Despite the ubiquitous and understandable parental concerns regarding what type of adults these baby zoomers will turn out to be, pediatricians have a unique opportunity to counsel and provide some small silver linings. For example, many children are learning to adapt quickly to unpredictable situations. Many are becoming adept in technology, which will give them lifelong computer proficiency that may help in future careers. Many more are becoming excellent self-learners, and many parents are getting a unique opportunity to observe their children in a classroom setting. Finally, pediatricians can suggest the introduction of meditation and mindfulness as a means to counteract the possible negative effects the pandemic may have on our children."

Ana Pal and Samira Hodges are pediatricians. They can be reached on Twitter @thepedipals.

They share their story and discuss their KevinMD article, "Why the pandemic is the perfect opportunity to introduce meditation to children." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2020/09/why-the-pandemic-is-the-perfect-opportunity-to-introduce-meditation-to-children.html)