A Prayer for Children: Calm

Helping Children Calm Themselves

How might we help our children find a sense of calm when they are overwhelmed, stressed, or their emotions are bigger than they can handle? Can we lead them into quiet time and prayer when big feelings or sensory overload upset them? 

It’s important for us to understand and acknowledge our children’s feelings and emotions. We can share with them that it’s okay not to be happy all the time; it’s okay to be angry, sad, frustrated, worried, scared, and more. Acknowledgment validates them and their feelings. 

When your child is upset, offer a hug or some quiet time to talk. Share practical ways that you as an adult work through your own feelings. For example: 

 
When I’m worried, I’ve learned it helps to take a walk outside.  

If I’m feeling overwhelmed, I pause and focus on one or two things that I love doing.  

Focusing on my breathing helps me when I’m upset. 

When I’m sad, I write my feelings in my journal. And it’s also okay to cry. 

 
Consider setting an example by telling your child when you are experiencing a challenging emotion. Share how you are going to handle it. That helps them learn to describe and share their own strong feelings when they occur. For instance, a parent might explain, “Right now, I am feeling overwhelmed, so I am going to take a break and listen to some calming music.”

Other things we can do to help us and our children:

Focus on what feels positive in the present moment, rather than thinking about past problems or worrisome imaginings about the future. 

Read uplifting and positive articles, focus on the good in the world, and imagine what we’d like to see or experience to bring more calm into our lives.

Use our hands in creative endeavors. Coloring, painting, and working with clay creates calm by being centered in the moment. Consider spontaneous doodling or scribbling with your child.  

The fresh beauty of nature can calm us. If you can’t walk with your child outdoors, use nature scenes in a book, on a device, or from your imaginations. For instance, “Let’s pretend we’re walking by the ocean. What sounds might the seabirds make? The air smells like salt, seaweed, and warm sand. Hear the waves rolling in. Right now, let’s picture peace and comfort coming in, just like the tides.”

If you’re walking outside, absorb it, breathe it in. Feel the wonder of our earth beneath your feet. Pause often and talk about what you’re seeing, what you can touch, smell, hear. Ask your children: What might those birds be calling out about? (Try to whistle and mimic their calls.) Which tree do you like the best? What does the air smell like to you? What would you love to see as we walk? Where might we send love and thoughts of well-being? Walking in nature can be a prayer. 

A Prayer for Calm in Children

Turning inward for prayer, I feel so much gratitude for all the children in my life. I know their connection to the Divine is permanent, strong, and forever available to help them navigate every year of their growth, health, and emotional development. They are perfectly made, just as they are, and divinely guided every step of the way. Thank you, God, for all our beautiful children.

A Shared Family Prayer for Calm

As a family, we now gather to honor the joy, love, and calm connection of praying together. We give thanks for all the blessings of life and for the way we grow in consciousness. We honor the light of loving-kindness within ourselves and all others. We are grateful for our ability to feel deeply, love unconditionally, and find peace in the world and within ourselves, now and always.

Together we affirm:

Did you know? All children are welcome to pray with Unity Prayer Ministry associates.