A Child's Way (Jeannie Battagin)

This book is a tool designed to provide inspiration, support and specific resources for creating and sustaining a practice of Christian Meditation among children from First Grade through the end of middle school (Eighth Grade). It is for teachers, parents, grandparents and all those who feel the call to practice Christian Meditation with children - Jeannie Battagin

Table of Contents Acknowledgments………………………………………….…..ix

Foreword by Laurence Freeman OSB……………………....xiii

The Journey………………………………….………………....1

How To Use This Book…………………………………….…15

How To Get Started…………………………………………..17

Initiate and Sustain a Meditation Practice………………..17

Become Familiar with Resources………………………….17

Envisioning a Plan and Getting Permission………………18

Creating an Environment…………………………………19

The Format of a Session…..…………………………….…19

A General Introduction to the Components of a Session: Centerpieces, Stories and The Practice……………………21

Grades 1-3…………………………………………… ..31

Age Developmental Characteristics……………………….33

Centerpieces………………………………………………..38

Stories………………………………………………………45

The Practice………………………………………………...55

Grades 4-6…………………………………………..61

Age Developmental Characteristics……………………….61

Centerpieces………………………………………………..63

Stories………………………………………………………65

Stories………………………………………………………72

The Practice………………………………………………..85

Grades 7-8………………………………………….93

Age Developmental Characteristics………………………93

Exploring a New Approach………………………………..97

Appendices………………………………………………….107

1. Questions Children Ask……………………………...108

2. Suggestions for Working with Behavioral Issues…..110

3. Letters to Parents……………………………………..113

4. Introductory Workshop for Parents and Teachers...121

The World Community for Christian Meditation…………124

WCCM Center and Contacts Worldwide………………….126