Contentment with their things, the situation of the moment, and people they are with throughout life is a social skill that all kids benefit by learning and practicing to the degree they are able.
Being content holds the content of all happiness. If kids can be content with what they already have, they can enjoy happiness in each present moment, without stressing out over attaining something in the future.
Contentment lies not in achieving a certain relationship, or more and more things. Contentment is an attitude of appreciation.
As an example, if a child walks into a store and sees something and wants it, but parents say no, stress is created - in the child and maybe the parent, too.
And stress multiplies. The kid thinks they will not be happy without the desired object, or the desired outing, or anything new that comes to mind.
The problem with making contentment depend on getting something or someone is that when the newness wears off desire for more or better sets in making contentment a short-lived experience.
Children need to be shown by example that it is possible to be content and happy at the same time. And, this is exemplified by adults and parents acting with appreciation for what comes into our lives moment to moment.
Taking kids for walks in the country, to the beach or other places of beauty in nature is one way of building appreciation for what is free and does not disturb our sense of contentment.
To relieve the stress of living and enjoy contentment practice some stress-relieving activities together such as walking, adaptive rhythmic movement or yoga exercises.
Keeping strong and healthy with exercise, good diet, and a mind content with feeling appreciation, bodes well for a child's positive development into adulthood.
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The entire series is in this book:
Yoga for all Kids - With illustrations and descriptions, how to teach 4 styles of meditation and 15 gentle moving yoga poses that can be used as a basic motor skills lesson plan, plus 12 how to live chapters and a dictionary of 40 definitions of happiness in 83 pages. For kids of all ages and abilities - for teens and adults, too! Available as an Ebook or Print Book
Article by Susan Kramer
