Do you remember being a child and stepping into your car or aeroplane, house or magic time machine? The grown ups only saw a tatty cardboard box but you knew it was much more. Alternative Therapist, Linda McCroft, advocates a return to childhood simplicity where kids can simply be, well – kids!
The crazy, fast paced world of youngsters today is far removed from what you or I probably remember. Children have their own TVs, video games and computers. There’s more competition between children as young as three as they challenge to be the best, score the most points, slay the dragon, and have the latest high tech toys.
More and more, modern kids seem to be suffering from ‘modern’ ailments – things like stress, hyperactivity and ADHD. There are several theories why – some link to diet, others to lifestyle, lack of parental attention, too much TV or computer games. Today’s children may certainly be in need of something special – but I don’t think it’s more entertainment.
I believe that ‘something special’ is Relax Kids.
I discovered Relax Kids at a Mind, Body, Soul event in October 2004. I had recently qualified as a crystal therapist and was looking for ideas for music to use for a five year old child client. Children are inquisitive and do not lie still so I needed a distraction. The Relax Kids CDs were just what I was looking for. They provide calm background music while a narrator tells magical stories with the child as the main character. My little client loved them and I was able to work with the crystals uninterrupted as he drifted off to a world far away as Aladdin on his magic carpet.
A few months later I began to sell the products to friends and family and had some wonderful feedback. Each CD has up to 15 mini stories and most children are asleep before they have heard five. The CDs are aimed at 3-11 years but the ambience they create means they are also good for background music to young babies and toddlers. My oldest customer is a lady of 73 who uses the nature CD every night to cure her chronic insomnia. I guess there’s still a child somewhere in all of us!
When Marneta Viegas, creator of Relax Kids announced she had developed a class structure for the Relax Kids concept I knew I had to complete the teacher training. Marneta trained as a school teacher before working for 12 years as a popular children’s entertainer in London, even performing at Buckingham Palace. During those years she noticed a marked change in children’s behaviour which led her to draw her love of fairy stories and understanding of meditation together, to create Relax Kids.
I’m now a qualified Relax Kids teacher and offer classes to schools and children’s groups for ages 4-10 years. Classes are a wonderful way of introducing children to a fun way to relax. Each class has a theme and begins with some up-beat music and movement games where the children can let off steam. Some calmer games follow: maybe we’ll stretch like a tall tree, waving our branches in the wind. Or be shining shells as we sit on the floor and stretch our arms up high, then gently close our ‘shells’ as we lower our arms to touch our ankles. Breathing exercises complete the ‘workout’ as we blow bubbles of love into the room or take deep breathes of sunshine into our bodies. Children then imagine a magic mirror and repeat affirmations to empower them and increase self-esteem; for example, I am calm, I am special, I am confident. Finally it’s time to lie on the floor, close their eyes and allow their imaginations to take part in the magical stories I read from the Relax Kids books.
It is amazing to see the difference in children in such a short time. At the start they are noisy and boisterous but long before the end of the class they are quiet and calm. Some even fall asleep!
The classes and the range of books, CDs and cards help children learn what no one else teaches them; how to be peaceful wherever and whenever they want, how to concentrate their mind, how to use their imagination in a focussed and positive way and how to push the pause button and consider options before action. The Relax Kids story-visualisations have been designed to encourage children’s imagination and creativity. In the process, they will be led into a positive and peaceful emotional state.
I believe every adult strives for three things in life: love, peace and happiness. Most of us spend our lives working to pay for things we’re told will make us happier but deep down we know that the adverts are selling us false dreams; the latest face cream or new car really isn’t going to change how we feel inside. Relax Kids aims to challenge this way of thinking and give the next generation the power to create their own peace, love and happiness – without depending on gadgets or designer gear!
Linda McCroft from Alternative Approach is based in Attleborough and is a qualified Relax Kids Teacher. For further information about classes or to purchase any of the Relax Kids products Linda can be contacted at relaxkids@alteranativeapproach.co.uk or on 07879 628884.