Mother captures beautiful images of her children with animals

      With a sensitive eye, Elena Shumilova of Andreapol in Russia captures images that show the essence of raising her children with the animals on a farm where they spend most of their time.

         It all started in 2012 when she won a professional camera and began to record their children Yaroslav and Vanya playing with farm animals. The combination of children and animals, and even a beautiful landscape in the background result in beautiful images that show love and sensitivity.

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Meditation for Children... Why?

-MEDITATION FOR CHILDREN-

  Meditation is currently gaining ground in the work with children. For us adults, this tool is present in practically all philosophies and available therapeutic processes. 

This is due to the simplicity of the act, but also the depth of inner consciousness that it gives us.

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   It was recently carried out a study by the University of California, in collaboration with Mindful Schools, which shows the unquestionable benefits of this practice on children's behavior. Points assessed as "paying attention", "the ability to calm down" and "show attention and care for others", have significantly higher levels on children who practice mindfulness, sometimes only after 4 hours.

- Teaching This Practice - 

     Teaching children to practice meditation is a gradual act, ranging from telling stories containing elements of the child's world, to Zen meditation, where the ability to be sitting quietly and concentrating on breathing allows us a deep sense of relaxation and emptying the mind. To understand the benefits and meditation to children themselves, start by thinking about us, adults.

       Firstly, it should be remembered that the positive effects come from a regular practice. It is this regularity and habit that changes the way we respond to everyday situations we live.

     Anyone who has tried or practices meditation knows the transformation that takes place at the level of our inner consciousness. Therefore, and because children are the adults of tomorrow, strengthening this "tool" from an early age is an antidote to the physical and emotional malaise that, in its various forms, affects society.

"Children enjoy the practice and have positive results"

    Quoting The Dalai Lama: "If every 8 year old in the world is taught meditation, we will eliminate violence from the world within one generation." can be proven by recent data, as mentioned above, shows the benefits in well-being and relating with others. This is because relating with others is a result of the relationship with ourselves, and in a meditation practice for children, the focus is also on the transmission of forms of expression, care and a more conscious and healthy way to relate with others.

 "If every 8 year old in the world is taught meditation, we will eliminate violence from the world within one generation." - The Dalai Lama

     Children respond to meditation in a very positive way, and naturally appreciate this practice.

    As concentration being the most developed aspect by meditation, the benefits to school performance are also high.

     Using on meditation as a tool, we can work with children at different levels of extreme importance as the development of self-esteem and self-confidence, focus on the positive and happier ways of being and relating, expressing feelings, being more aware of their own emotions, having a greater respect for others, a more assertive communication and less defensive, aggressive, anxious and agitated, among others. A final point is that we can lighten the case of attention deficit disorder and hyperactivity.

What do you think about it? What you think about this practice by children?

Share your opinion in the Comments!

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Help your Child Develop a Healthy and Strong Self-Esteem

Help your Child Develop a Healthy  and Strong Self-Esteem

Self-esteem relates to how each individual perceives himself, his thoughts and feelings and the value one assigns himself.  Self-esteem isn't shaped only by our's own perceptions and expectations, but also by the perceptions and expectations of significant others around us, undergoing, naturally, changes over time.

  At any age, the way we feel about ourselves affects how we act in our day-to-day. If we think about a stage where we feel very good about ourselves we can also notice that it is easier dealing with our friends, family and problems.

Thus, self-esteem is one of the most important bases for the well being of the child and your key to a happier and positive adulthood.

For parents, there are important tips that help their children develop a sense of self-esteem and positive 

self-image in a way that is Healthy from a balanced and relational point of view.

In fact, most parents do it without really realizing it, through small gestures or words that have a very strong impact on how the child or teen feels about himself.

Here are some tips:

Give independence to your child:

This autonomy will allow him to achieve small successes, alone, worthy of attention, value and proud from those who surround him, and thus strengthening the development of his self-esteem.

Transmit comfort to the image your child has of himself:

The children will learn gradually that someone is able to make things happen, to relate to others, and is someone who deserves value.

Develop a realistic understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of your child:

 It is important that a realistic development of self-esteem by valuing his qualities, but also recognition of flaws, always intent on working the weakest points. Self-confidence is crucial in the development of self-esteem.

Develop a positive approach to your child with regard to rules and discipline:

In fact, all children must take responsibility for their behavior and for that, parents should adopt a positive and regulatory role rather than a disciplinarian and punisher one.

Play with your child:

The moments of play are fundamental for parents to invest in the relationship with their children and make him feel valued, giving importance to his feelings and making him feel accomplished and loved.

Comment bellow!

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