Like us, children need balance of mind, body and spirit, direction and help in their lives. So where do we start? We focus on what is deficient or scarce in children at the time – what they need to include more of and what issues are pressing at the time. Then when the issues have been resolved, we focus on ensuring a balance of the following needs plus more. Our purpose is not to overwhelm you but to make you aware that when elements are missing in our lives then we see acting out, stagnation or decline in overall health, school performance and relationship bonding. We also want to role model balance, wisdom and change.

What happens when we focus too much on one or neglect one of the following children’s needs? We need to make sure that we incorporate all of the following in wisdom, balance and in their time and season.

• PLAY (with other children, outdoors, and with developmental toys)
• SPIRITUALITY (prayer, service, scriptures, communing with God and higher self)
• MEDITATION (learning to sit still, handle boredom, manage strong emotions and impulses, think, connect to higher power, breath, clear mind)
• WORK (chores, helping, homework, cleaning up, organizing, budgeting time and money, following through)
• CREATIVE PLAY (free time to create, imagine, dress up, pretend, wonder, discover)
• STRUCTURE (routines, planned activities, developing habits, setting up bedtime)
• EXERCISE (Dance, sports, stretching, yoga, running, swimming, etc)
• BRAIN GYMNASTICS (exercising the mind so brain can do mental exercises)
• MUSIC (singing, drums, learning instruments, listening, attending musicals, feeling rhythm, creating lyrics)
• NATURE (Camping, hikes, fishing, science, outdoor play, climbing, exploring)
• GOOD NUTRITION (water, vitamins, minerals, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, omega 3’s and unsaturated fats, anti-oxidants, natural products)
• CONVERSATION (1 on 1 interviews & group talks, really listening, being interested and teaching children)
• MORALS (learning manners and what’s right from wrong, experiencing consequences to behavior)
• THINKING RIGHT (it’s okay to be mad, it’s not okay to be bad, empowering to dream big then break goals into small steps)
• ESSENTIAL OILS (natural ways to stimulate healing in their bodies)
• COLORING and CRAFTS (using colors and projects to increase self esteem and release negative emotions)
• MENTAL STIMULATION (allowing curiosity and exploration to flourish).
• REST (learning to rest, relax, be bored, sleep, shut down, etc)
• IMPULSE CONTROL (learning to wait, take turns, controlling anger, self-discipline)
• HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS (Nurturing but not smothering, flexible but with firm limits, learning respect)
• LOVE and AFFECTION (time together, just being, holding, caring for each other, learning to be unselfish)