Live with intention. Walk to the edge. Listen hard. Practice wellness. Play with abandon. Laugh. Choose with no regret. Appreciate your friends. Continue to learn. Do what you love. Live as if this is all there is.” — Mary Anne Radmacher
This quote seems to speak to the concept of wellness and a holistic approach to living. It encourages adults to do what children instinctively know which is to live in the moment and engage in their environment. Children are naturally drawn to positivity, enthusiastically express joy and curiosity and question their place in the world. The greatest gift we can give them is to embrace these amazing instincts.
Approaching the health and well-being of a child in a holistic way means nurturing a child’s physical, emotional, cognitive and spiritual development and recognizing that each part of a child’s development affects another. It means integrating our approaches so that we can nurture their minds, bodies and spirits. If we seek to serve the whole child, we create a basis for wellness. We focus on what we want to cultivate and nurture. We work with children from a place of strength and appreciation for their individual gifts and needs.
MIND
Nurturing a child’s mind means first and foremost accepting your child’s individuality. It means understanding that everyone has their own temperament, personality and learning preferences. The basis for a healthy mind is self-esteem. By accepting your child , giving unconditional love and modeling self-respect, your child is then free to accept himself and begin to explore his world in his own way.
Children instinctively want to learn so engage them in this process and most importantly make it fun! Nature walks, trips to the museum, board games and the playground are wonderful opportunities to bond with your child while encouraging the development of awareness, concentration, logical thinking, problem solving and social skills. Children are naturally curious, so allow them to question and explore. Encourage the process not the result which builds confidence, independence and resiliency. Ask open-ended questions, give choices, encourage your child to make predictions so that he may become an independent thinker. Explore the concept of natural consequences so that children see the connection between actions and outcomes and can develop personal responsibility. Set appropriate limits and create structure so that your child feels safe in the learning process.
Children are emotional beings. Create an environment that is accepting of emotions, teaches children to name their feelings and support them in developing healthy ways to express themselves. Be fully present when children express their feelings. Often parents and other adults rush to problem solve for children or correct their behavior. Instead, listen to what they are telling you through their words or behavior and reflect back those emotions. Saying to a child “Wow, you seem really frustrated that you can’t play with your new toy right now.” validates the child’s feelings and experience. This type of active listening helps children slow down and connect to their emotions. It builds trust and credibility which allows the adult to better help them work through situations. Modeling positive self-expression through I statements is another wonderful way to encourage emotional development. For example, saying “I feel disappointed when people don’t follow the family rules.” is a more positive way to deal with a situation than saying “I’ve told you the rules a million times and you still didn’t follow them.” Reading stories about emotions, self-expression, self-esteem or difficult life events is a way to engage children in an exploration of emotions and behavior in a nonthreatening way. Tapping into children’s creativity and providing them opportunities to express their emotions through art, play or writing is another encouraging approach.
BODY
Creating a lifestyle that encourages physical wellness incorporates several things. First, physical activity on a daily basis is an important component. Physical activities can take many forms. It can be as simple as riding one’s bike around the neighborhood or participating in an organized sport. Most physical activity has the potential to increase endurance, enhance gross or fine motor skills development and improve overall physical health. To fully experience the benefit of physical activity it should be tailored to your child. Young children love to play hide n seek, tag and duck duck goose. These are wonderful games that encourage physical activity while having fun with your friends or family. Taking a hike with your child offers the opportunity to get exercise while connecting with your child and engaging in your environment. Activities like yoga help children develop mind-body awareness. Martial Arts can teach confidence, dedication and respect for the world around you.. Team sports promotes teamwork, commitment, and responsibility and encourages a sense of belonging.
Nutrition is obviously another important component in a child’s physical well-being. Educating children about the importance of nutrition can be a fun experience for everyone involved. Read books on food and nutrition, take children grocery shopping, visit local farms or markets and allow them to help prepare meals. Encourage your children to notice the color, texture, smell and taste of foods. Make mealtime a happy, calm time to enjoy your food and engage with your family.
Another, often overlooked factor, is the impact of sensitivities and allergies on a child’s physical well-being. Be aware of the impact of environmental toxins, such as pesticides, seasonal allergies, food allergies or food sensitivities on a child’s health. The impact of these are often subtle but can lead to physical and emotional distress.
Finally, help children develop an understanding of and an appreciation for their bodies. Mediation and energy therapies can help children feel connected to their bodies and understand the impact of emotional and environmental stressors on their physical well-being. Empower children to feel in control of their bodies and confident in setting limits. Promote a positive body image and recognition of the many gifts that physical health provides.
SPIRIT
In our busy world we are often rushing from one activity to another, thinking about what we need to do next rather than focusing on what we are doing at that moment. In order to nurture our children’s spirits we must allow time for quiet. To see what comes to us in moments of stillness and reflection. To be fully in the present and engaged.. Encourage your child’s spiritual development by encouraging self expression. Ask children questions (what do they see, hear, feel), and connect emotions to situations. Talk about values and provide opportunities to model them to your child and for them to share their values with others. Respect your child’s individuality and encourage authenticity. Talk about intuition and teach them to recognize and listen to their inner voice.
Nurturing our children’s spirits also means helping them to understand their connection to the world at large. Help them see the similarities in people while developing an appreciation for their differences. Encourage compassion by seeing the good in people. Develop empathy by asking children how they would feel in someone else’s situation. Express gratitude, even on the tough days. Find ways to be of service to others. This can be as simple as helping a family member with homework or volunteering at a charitable program. Talk about and engage in activities that support the spiritual/religious values of your family. Play outside and feel connected to nature.
One of the beautiful things about childhood is that given the opportunity children are open to new and imaginative ways of doing things. Holistic approaches such as guided imagery, meditation, play and art therapy, Reiki and yoga are wonderful tools to help children get in touch with their physical and emotional needs. They support a young body’s natural ability to heal and enhance a child’s innate desire to grow and succeed. By helping children identify their feelings, understand their behavior, connect to their bodies, express their needs and explore their beliefs, we empower them to grow into strong, healthy, able individuals. They will become individuals who can experience joy and who are resilient; they will become whole.
