For Kids: Finding Your Favorite Cloud

This is a kids practice for relaxtion, sleep or meditation. It is the extended version of 'Relaxing with the Clouds'. It starts with a gentle relaxtion of body and mind. It then moves on to exploring each of the three clouds so as to choose their favourite point of connection.

Transcript

Hello,

My name is Reuben.

I'd like to help you relax and feel calm.

To get us into feeling relaxed and calm,

Let's get ready to mix a little bit of fun into this meditation.

We can do this by pretending.

Pretending is a great way to have fun.

First off,

Let's allow our bodies to relax.

You can do this by letting your arms and legs go all floppy.

As you are relaxed in this moment,

Imagine that you are floating in the blue sky and you can see from miles around you.

Imagine that there are three white,

Fluffy clouds with you floating in the sky.

Each one of these fluffy clouds has a smile on their face.

It's as though they've known you for a long time,

Like they're your friend.

As you look at each one of these white,

Fluffy clouds,

You realize that they are all breathing in time together.

This means their fluffy white bellies are filling up and emptying together.

They are doing this very,

Very gently because they're so relaxed,

Just like you.

Imagine that the white bellies of these happy clouds are filling up and emptying together.

Now that you can imagine these white,

Fluffy clouds and their bellies filling up and emptying together,

Let's try a little experiment.

If you like,

You can make the bellies of these clouds fill up and empty together at the same time as you breathe,

With your belly moving up and down.

Just keeping your breathing nice and gentle and getting your breathing in time with the bellies of these clouds.

Now,

Cloud number one likes to notice the sound of its breathing.

As it breathes in and out,

It notices the sound.

Can you gently notice the sound of your breathing right now?

Now,

Let's talk about cloud number two.

Cloud number two likes to notice the temperature of its breathing.

Can you do this too?

Can you feel the cool air coming in and the warm air as it leaves?

See if you can notice this right now.

The cool air coming in and the warm air as it leaves.

And just gently connect to this.

Good job.

Now,

Cloud number three likes to notice the pause at the top and the bottom of each breath.

See if you can notice the gentle pause at the top as you breathe in and it slows down and stops.

And then you breathe out and it slows down and stops.

Can you notice the gentle pause at the top and the bottom of each breath?

Okay,

So here's the fun part.

What was your favorite of the three experiments that we did just then?

Was it cloud number one who likes to notice the sound of its breathing?

Was it cloud number two who likes to notice the temperature of its breathing?

Or was it cloud number three who likes to notice the gentle pause at the top and the bottom of each breath?

Which one of these was your favorite?

And so,

Now that you have a favorite point of connection,

You can use this in everyday life to help keep you settled and content whenever you wish.

Thank you for taking part in this and please come back here to have a little bit of fun,

To experiment and feel relaxed and content.

Reviews

Hi Reuben,
I have my two six year old grand daughters staying. It was 10.00pm before they were asleep last night so tonight we listened to three of your tracks for children when they were in bed at 7.00pm!
One fell asleep after 10 minutes. The other, who finds it hard to relax was quiet and listened . She eventually fell asleep around 7.30.
I found it pretty difficult to stay awake I must say!
I think these children’s tracks of yours could work wonders if only I could persuade the parents to use them!
Maybe I’ll just listen to children’s tracks in future
😂
🙏

I introduced my daughters (6 & 5) to meditation through this exercise. They loved it, and they each had their own favorite cloud! Thank you!

I am not a kid, but nonetheless I love this practice. So deep, so intense and at the same time it makes me feel so light-hearted...

I thoroughly enjoyed this even though I am an adult. Checking out for my grandkids. Thanks. 🤗

I’m not a child but thoroughly enjoyed this meditation. Very relaxing 🙂🙏🙏

Angus (5yrs) loved this and he thought he could use it when he misses mummy at nursery to help him feel more relaxed. Thank you.

Listening to this together with my son before he goes to sleep has become a wonderful bedtime ritual. We can’t wait to ask each other what our favourite cloud was! The tone is gentle yet enthusiastic. Planting the seeds for my son’s ability to regulate his big feelings . Thank you 🙏☁️🌟

Great visualization for kids of all ages. Are you able to point me towards other mindfulness practices for children? Specifically early teenagers? Thank you!

You are my sons favorite teacher Reuben! Thank you!

3.5 year old Phoebe loves this:) we often see what shapes we can see in the clouds so she could easily relate to the clouds. This calmed her down ready for a nap, then a few mins of your sleeping music & she was peacefully asleep 🙏🙏🌈💕

Love the children’s perspective! Definitely helps put it in a way that I can help the kids understand and try for themselves.