Teaching the Art of Silence to Children

In a world of stimuli and volatility, silence is almost as difficult to find as gold. Therefore, teaching children the art of silence from an early age is extremely important.

In this article we’ll explain the benefits of doing so and its importance for children’s development.

How many minutes a day do you take to appreciate silence? Do you favor a calm atmosphere in the home so that each family member connects with his or her inner thoughts?

Perhaps it may sound like a utopia when it comes to young children, but teaching them to value those moments of tranquility and relaxation is key, especially nowadays.

Pay attention to the benefits of teaching the art of silence. And if it seems appropriate, consider applying it at home.

Benefits of silence

Enjoying a few minutes of silence at different times of the day offers great benefits for people. Of course, children are also included.

Science has proven that being silent presents the following advantages:

• It combats stress, given that one of its main causes is excessive noise. Sounds greater than 30 decibels are considered to be capable of causing stress and high blood pressure.
• It encourages concentration for solving problems and also provides more peace of mind when dealing with difficulties.
• It helps the development and recovery of the immune system. 

In this sense, having a few minutes of relaxation during the day or before going to sleep can be a great option. Also, activities such as yoga, which can also be practiced by children, offer moments of meditation.

Why is it advisable to teach the art of silence?

Now that you know the reasons why silence is an important element for well-being, it’s necessary to clarify why teaching the art of silence is necessary.

Children are active in their own right, but our current technology and lifestyle have enhanced this constant stimulation.

Therefore, the need to make them see the advantages of those moments is even greater. These are the main reasons why you should teach your children to value silence.

A moment to enjoy life

Little ones are the most restless and curious explorers in the world. Everything that surrounds them catches their attention, and they want to see it, smell it and feel it.

However, older people don’t always give them the freedom to do so.

We live in a fast-paced world, running everywhere without getting anywhere. The worst part is that we take our children with us.

What should we do then? Do everything more calmly. Sit with your child in the park and give him space, time and freedom to move and explore.

Create a time dedicated to doing nothing for both you and him. It’s possible to stop, see and think about what is happening in the world.

Quality over quantity

Have you heard about the concept of multitasking? Or of children multitasking?

Both concepts embody the idea that humans are capable of doing several things at once with the same attention and level of “perfection.”

However, our brain isn’t trained for this; on the contrary, it only wears us out more when trying to do this.

The education that children receive today is that it’s better to do several things rather than do one thing well.

Therefore, they’re immersed in a constant coming and going of thoughts and orders without really being able to listen to what their will dictates.

Teaching the art of silence means leaving this space for reflection, even when you’re busy.

In general, the best ideas and the most creative works arise when there is plenty of tranquility and you’re in an environment that allows you to think, analyze and decide.

Understand and admire the world

Silence is a great tool for children to contemplate what they have around them and how they got to that state.

They wonder how that tree became so tall; how that bird could build that nest branch by branch; at what time the sun hides between those buildings on the horizon.

We live so alienated, at a pace that isn’t ours, that we don’t notice simple but very obvious changes that occur right in front of us.

This capacity for observation is fundamental to foster critical thinking and analytical skills. Teaching the art of silence is a good way to develop it.

The Montessori silence game

This is one of the best activities when it comes to teaching the art of silence. This game, proposed by the Italian educator Maria Montessori, invites children to generate a place of reflection and relaxation.

It is very simple to do:

1. Children should sit on the floor, arranged in a circle.
2. Ask them to imagine being flowers, rocks or another immobile object. They should remain silent for 30 seconds.
3. Upon hearing a sound that you indicate or being called by their name, children should open their eyes.
4. Ask them to explain what they felt in that moment of silence.

Every day that you practice this activity, add a few seconds of silence. It is an extremely beneficial activity and, at the same time, very different for children.

It allows them to exercise discipline, self-control and patience.

As a mother, you must take care to offer your child everything necessary for his or her integral development. This includes what is often invisible yet extremely valuable.

Silence fits into this category: introduce your child to the relaxing world of the absence of sounds.