Quiet and kids seem like opposites. In fact, many parents get nervous when their kids are too quiet, because it may mean they are up to something. But even kids need quiet, and quiet can be hard to find in today’s world.
When I was a kid, television was our evening entertainment, but it was off during the day. And phones were attached to the wall, left behind when we went outside or on vacation. Silence was still difficult to find, unless one lived way out in the country, but noise was not as prevalent as today. Now many kids barely know what silence sounds like. They always have the tv on or video games going or music on their phones. And they don’t realize how much stress that can bring them.
Ways to Teach Quiet
How can we teach children to value quiet? Here are a few ideas:
1. Model the value of silence. Turn off your phone and spend time quietly reading, praying, or meditating. Don’t have the tv or radio going constantly at home.
2. Limit your children’s time watching television, playing video games, and listening to music.
3. Have a family quiet time when everyone does quiet activities such as reading, writing, creating art. No talking allowed.
4. Get out into nature together. Take time to stop and quietly listen to the sounds around you. Maybe have a contest to write down all the sounds you hear and see who has the longest list. And if you have a few moments where there are no sounds at all, even better.
5. Have a quiet place in your home—either a separate room or a section of a room with pillows and a privacy curtain or barrier—where kids can go when they want to be quiet.
6. Teach breathing exercises, meditation, or listening prayer. Help your children understand that time need not always be filled by words and sounds.
7. Talk about silence and how it makes them feel. Some kids may feel nervous or unsettled by quiet, because it is strange to them. Others may find it relaxing. Help them learn to appreciate the peace that quiet can bring.
