Due to the Corona Virus Covid19 crisis, I’ve had to switch all my Hypnosis Sessions to online, something I usually only did with out-of-town and international clients.  One recent client finishing up her sessions was a long time educator, who now has to supervise her students (and their parents) via Zoom. Intrigued I asked, “How is that going?” She replied, “Great with the kids, but the parents are all having a real problem. Her smile on the screen grew a bit bigger.  “They want to know how to get the kids to sit still and learn!”

I laughed out loud. I know exactly how that feels! I have done hundreds of sessions with children, teenagers and even adults with short attention spans. I have also sat with parents explaining how to do a home version of hypnosis with their children. So, here are some tips on how to get children to sit still, behave, pay attention and learn.

First, wear them out with exercise first. Three times a day get them up and moving, remember growing up with PE class? Racing around the playground with your friends at recess? Discharging all that pent up youthful energy before attempting to engage the brain is critical. Organize short games, jump on a trampoline, chase each other around the couch for a short period of time. But stay in charge of when it starts and when it ends, always leave them with a promise of more soon.

Second, No junk food! All that sugar, caffeine and carbs are not conducive to learning no matter how convenient. It will cause blood sugar spikes and crashes and disrupt a child’s ability to concentrate. Here are some great tips on family nutrition here at Kids Health.org – https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/eating-tips.html And a wonderful to explain (and teach!) it to the kids themselves from PBS TV’s Arthur – https://pbskids.org/arthur/health/nutrition/tips-kids.html

Third, the parent needs to become the “Family Hypnotist” using a technique called “Direct Suggestion”. In short, constantly throughout the day tell them how well they will do today, how well they will focus, grasp concepts, and learn new things. Constant positive messages will cause pictures of success to form in their minds and will get their synapses firing in the right direction.  You will find that the “wiring together” of the behavioral and cognitive neurons will have a very positive result.

Fourth and not least, the parent must do some self-work in order to maintain their mental and spiritual stability in these challenging times. Prayer, mediation, visualization, whatever works for you to remain calm and on an even keel. Children and even teenagers, despite popular culture’s suggestions, are acutely tuned into their parent’s moods and mental situations. If you are fearful, frustrated and in chaos, the kids will be too.  Imagine trying to learn in that environment!

If you’d like more information about hypnosis sessions for anyone in the family, book a free 30-minute telephone consultation here, online, at www.FamilyFirstHypnosis.com