Using Guided Imagery With Your Child
By Caron Goode
Whatever
you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius,
power and magic in it. —Goethe
Guided
imagery is a dynamic way to increase a child’s
chances for successful development of inner talents and personal
resources. Parents, teachers and other service providers can
use imagery with confidence to increase a child’s mental
focus, help clarify values, increase study efficiency or instill
other successful traits.
What is guided imagery?
Imagery is the ability to visualize or mentally create pictures
and feelings. You can use this technique to empower children’s
success, joy and balance the same way an athlete envisions winning.
Thoughts and feelings are not separate from each other. A thought
triggers a biochemical response in your body. A feeling or sensation
triggers a corresponding chemical response in the brain. Imagery
lets children empower their awareness and direct their mind/
body into skill development and positive emotional states.
Mind-body science has shown us that thinking about running a
race can trigger the same bodily feelings as the physical act
of running. Obviously, running the race gives you the elation,
physical exercise and tension release. What imagining the race
beforehand can do for you and children is set the stage by focusing
specific goals and preparing the physical body. In the same way,
imaging successful coping skills can empower your intention of
joy and anchor triumph in your body.
Guided imagery is the method of creating pictures in the mind
accompanied by sights, sounds, sensations and feelings. It directs
the mind and body to the optimal inner state for physical and
emotional healing. Positive images specifically calm the nervous
system, strengthen the immune system and trigger healing activity.
When we daydream, we allow our minds to free-flow to places
where we want to be or to spaces that bring us feelings of joy,
comfort, safety and peace. Guided imagery helps us reach these
places when we feel the need to be there, like during times of
stress and frustration, childhood nightmares, trauma or abuse
memories or just general tension.
View
imagery as daydreaming with a purpose. Help children use their
imaginations to see a picture in their mind.
Imagery stimulates
the children’s senses to make their participation more
real and active by adding the props.
How effective is imagery?
Health field specialists use guided imagery to reconnect people
to pastoral, peaceful images with accompanying sights, tastes,
smells and feelings. This produces a relaxation response and
strengthens the immune system. Specifically with cancer patients,
successful imagery gives back to patients a measure of control,
enhancing their immunologic response to stress and diminishing
anxiety and fear about treatments.
Guided imagery helps children of all ages build confidence and
self-esteem and strengthen their resources. Children can learn
to express feelings they are generally unable to verbalize especially
associated with stress or trauma. Imagery has been useful in
particular for:
• calming
hyperactivity
• helping children cope with a death in the family
• overcoming anxiety
• soothing panic episodes
• healing psychosomatic complaints
• developing sensitivity
The
reason for this success lies in children’s
ability to close their eyes and use their imaginations to see
another
viewpoint, feel more deeply or gain perspective on the overall
situation.
© Caron
B. Goode
Caron Goode, Ed.D.,
is a parenting expert who speaks and writes about how parents
can nurture their children’s gift. Go to Inspired
Parenting to find out your parenting style, order Nurture
Your Child’s Gift: Inspired Parenting and sign
up for the online parenting magazine.
