Starbright–Meditations for Children

Best book for bedtime and teaching meditation and visualization
I love this book. Better yet my 3 1/2 year old loves it too. When I first introduced the idea of meditating before a nap he was a bit resistant. I explained to him that it would help him relax for sleep and not be so keyed up which doesn’t allow him to sleep. Eventually (later that night) he decided that he wanted to try it out. And then he began to request it before bed every night for the last week.Bedtimes which were once easy had become a nightmare in the last 6 months and I wanted nothing to do with it anymore. Giving up I let my husband handle putting him to bed and took a walk. When I returned I remembered that I purchased this book and decided to try it out. And it’s been a blessing. My husband was so happy to finally be able to put our son to bed without any arguing and clamoring from our son. My son will tell me “I’m so relaxed right now mom. I want to go to sleep.” Ha! How amazingly wonderful! He’s so happy and loves going on lil meditative journeys before bed. This is a great way to teach meditation.Oh, and for those parents who have kids that are real movers and think “There’s no way my kid(s) is gonna sit for that,” don’t fret. My son will interrupt sometimes, especially at the intro now since he knows it, but he settles and listens better when I read the stories within the garden. He still adds to the story as he’s not closing his eyes but he’s listening and “feeling” the stories. He’s such a physical kid that to add that part makes him more engrossed in the storyline. Also play to the child’s feeling and interest to keep him present with the story. Get comfy, dim the lights, and start reading.I’ve also noticed that once I got used to the idea of what the garden was for it allowed me to creatively embellish the story. For example, in one meditation with the Busy Ants there’s a party and he wanted me, his dad and sis to come along too. So I made up that a lil bumblebee took a card and dropped it off at our kitchen counter (and it magically got bigger so that we could read it) and we came to the party as well. Often times he’ll suggest that our cat is with him along with his guardian angel. When I leave him to ‘play’ in his garden I tell him that his preschool friends are there as well. I think the familiarity really helps to also lessen any fears and anxieties. We’ve also taken the time for him to describe his guardian angel and that has helped make him more familiar.Besides sleep this has also helped when I used the first visualization technique to help him heal after he had gotten vaccines. The next day he told me he felt much better and could walk without pain.I’ve tried Moody Cow Meditates and Mindful Panda as a way to teach my son about meditation and relaxing but this one has a wonderful, enjoyable straightforward technique for calming the mind. Plus there are no pictures in this book, it’s left completely to the imagination which is wonderful as I feel that sometimes the pictures can overstimulate a child’s mind as well. Still I would recommend the Mind Jar in Moody Cow (the book, eh, borrow from a library first as I think it’s meant for much older kids like 7/8 and up) and the book Mindful Panda anyway as I felt they were wonderful tools for children to have as well.

Troubled sleeper
I must say I was skeptical at first. My four year old is always moving and on the go, how was I going to get her to sit for more than a few seconds for something like meditation? But the first night, after two separate sessions, one for nap time and one for bed time, had her so relaxed I didn’t have to fight with her about laying down for bed, for the first time ever. She just asked for some water, laid back down and I heard nothing more from her for the rest of the night.Baring the complete 180 in my daughters bedtime tantrum the meditations themselves are amazing, Very easy for me to read aloud the first time, with only one or two fumbled words. I can also see myself expanding on them, when I have the time to do so, making them longer and more detailed.Truly a must buy for anyone who wants a more relaxed bedtime routine.

Sweet and helpful book, my son says “5 stars!”
I purchased this book on a recommendation from a friend, as my 8yr old has been anxious, having frequent nightmares, and struggles with nighttime and going to sleep, and I have been unable to help him resolve with the methods I have used thus far.We are just one night in, and he absolutely looooved the “story” I read to him, and is already telling me all about his special star. He requested that I give the book a 5-star review.If I see a need, I will come back and update again after a few weeks, but for now, we highly recommend!To be clear, this is a book for a parent to read to/with a child. A sort of relaxation/meditation passage book. Absolutely lovely.

Changed my daughter’s life!
Up until a few months ago, my ten-year-old daughter suffered from severe anxiety. In desperation, my husband and I took her to a therapist who recommended (among other strategies) that we use “Starbright” at bedtime.I read the stories to my daughter and her twin sister, and they loved them! The meditations are so peaceful and relaxing, and they can be adapted to any belief system. With my daughters I add guardian angels, because that is my belief. At work (I’m a preschool teacher) I avoid Christian symbols and focus on the beauty of nature.By the way, my daughter’s anxiety is almost entirely gone. I know that’s not entirely because of this book, but it certainly helped!

This is a great book equipped with tools for parents to teach they’re children to relax before bedtime. My children love going on these imaginary adventures created by the author. These adventures are easily altered to suit each families needs, beliefs, or experiences. It is great for children who worry or have trouble winding down. I would definitely recommend this to parents who are open to trying new and creative avenues with they’re children to help them sleep and calm themselves easier.

Great value and excellent customer service. Thank you.