Plantando semillas: La práctica del mindfulness con niños

by Thich Nhat Hanh

With plenty of didactic activities, this book is a complete collection of Thich Nhat Hanh’s techniques for stress reduction, concentration enhancement, self-confidence, improved communication, and achieving peace in children and adults. It includes a CD with songs and exercises to help practice meditation.

Genres: Parenting, Buddhism, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Childrens, Education, Philosophy

256 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2011

About the author

Thích Nhất Hạnh was a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, teacher, author, poet and peace activist who then lived in southwest France where he was in exile for many years. Born Nguyễn Xuân Bảo, Thích Nhất Hạnh joined a Zen (Vietnamese: Thiền) monastery at the age of 16, and studied Buddhism as a novitiate. Upon his ordination as a monk in 1949, he assumed the Dharma name Thích Nhất Hạnh. Thích is an honorary family name used by all Vietnamese monks and nuns, meaning that they are part of the Shakya (Shakyamuni Buddha) clan. He was often considered the most influential living figure in the lineage of Lâm Tế (Vietnamese Rinzai) Thiền, and perhaps also in Zen Buddhism as a whole.

Reviews

[Vui Lên · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sách tiếng Việt tên "Trồng một nụ cười"

Một cuốn hay đủ hay cho thầy cô, cha mẹ hoặc những người đang làm công việc giúp đỡ người khác làm quen với chánh niệm và đưa thực tập chánh niệm vào môi trường công việc của mình.

Sách còn nhiều câu chuyện thực tế được kể từ các sư thầy, sư cô đệ tử của thầy Thích Nhất Hạnh nên sẽ làm cho bạn nào đọc nhiều sách của thầy cảm thấy một vài sự mới mẻ, cảm hứng. Mình cũng đã có nhiều chỗ xúc động vì sự chân thật và khó khăn trong con đường thực tập chánh niệm, mang chánh niệm tới với trẻ em của các thầy, cô.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

(5) Practical applications aside, this is an easy read and even easier to incorporate into daily life. Highly recommend for anyone who is struggling to gain an understanding of mindfulness and anyone who works with children and teens. I will definitely buy a copy for my personal collection!

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love all things Thich Nhat Hanh. That being said, this is a lovely tool for raising mindful, present children. I enjoyed reading through this slowly, taking time to absorb the material. It's a book I wouldn't mind having on my shelf as a reference.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of good mindfulness exercises to do with wiggly kids; visualizations; explanations were helpful for talking with kids too

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great book written like a lesson plan for a group of kids (little ones to teenage). I plan on starting one where we coul get together once a week and go through the book. It deserves 5+ stars! I checked this out from the library, but I am planning on buying my own copy. There is an option to get this for a kindle, but then you don't get the CD, which not only is great with the book but could be used as a background music for a kids yoga class. This book is wonderful and I hope many enjoy it and share with children, it would make such a difference in this world!

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found the exercises to be really great. I saved them to use with my girls. This has more information for classrooms than individual families, and more for little kids than bigger ones. It also has more of a Buddhist focus than I use with mindfulness, but it's thoughtful and helpful.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great guide with lots of practical activities. A real pleasure to read.

[Jim Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

My rating here might be a little skewed, because though this was good, it was not what I expected it to be. Not quite fair to rate something based on my own misconceptions of what I was about to read, so maybe bump this up to a 3 1/2 or a 4.

What I was looking for was a book to help me introduce my kids to meditation. Or rather, to help them go more deeply into meditation practice, help them make it a more regular thing. My 13 year old has a bit of experience, my 6 year old some marginal experience, and I'm very interested in helping them get more out of it, helping them make it a useful, meaningful practice. I realize that just having them imitate my practice isn't going to work for them-- they are not middle-aged-office-worker-dads.

This book does have tips and insights and sample guided meditations for working with young kids, and I was happy to find that stuff, but overall the book is geared more toward teachers who want to introduce kids to mindfulness, or to children's-group leaders at Buddhist retreats and meditation centers. Many of the practices are group-oriented (which is not a bad thing at all) and some just wouldn't be appropriate for a parent to try to lead (like, the ones teaching kids to be patient with their parents; would be pretty self-serving). None of it's bad; like I said, a lot of is just other than the exact thing I was looking for.

That said, I will certainly implement some of this stuff.

Some of it (the Pebble Meditation, for instance) is stuff that I can do with my daughter almost right away.

And some of it will translate to my work in the human service field. Though I typically work with adults and older teens, much of the focus on compassion and listening has obvious value in that field, isn't only about how we interact with young children.

And, as always, Thich Nhat Hanh's philosophy of "interbeing," of "no independent origination," permeates the book. And that's a good thing.

[Emily Anderson]

So helpful, sometimes reading how to teach something can help you learn even more. I started reading this wanting to bring some mindfulness practices into my relationship with my son and to prepare to teach him as he grows. There are so many practical activities which hardly require any materials. I love the CD that comes along with the book, I play it whenever my son and I are in the car it helps me stay centered while I'm driving and it helps keep him calm too. Based on what I've learned I'm working on a workshop for children in my spiritual community.

[Ricardo Sandoval · Rating 4 out of 5]

Es muy bueno e interesante, en teoria. Pero, como apreciación personal, se me hace muy difícil de aplicar con niñ@s hiper-estimulad@s como lo están las nuevas generaciones. Simplemente no veo manera de que mi hija de 9 años —por ejemplo — se ponga a meditar y a pensar en las enseñanzas del Buda. No way. Not here.

[Cyndie Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full of calming and useful group and individual exercises for helping kids build focus, understanding, compassion, and equanimity. While it can be used for parents and in a more secular context - is most applicable for teachers and caregivers within a group setting and has strong Buddhist specific references.

[Ngo Linh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nội dung sách về cùng trẻ thực hành chánh niệm. Rất phù hợp cho bố mẹ, thầy cô, hoặc các bạn nhỏ tự đọc.

Nhiều bài thực hành rất ý nghĩa và đơn giản, dễ thực hiện trong gia đình, trường lớp. Cách diễn giảng Đạo cũng dễ gần, dễ nắm bắt đối với trẻ nhỏ.

Bao giờ con lớn tầm lớp 1 mình sẽ đọc lại để thực hành cùng con 🫶🏻

[Maeve · Rating 3 out of 5]

A guide to meditation and mindfulness for parents (and those who interact with children daily). It includes information on different practices/exercises/activities as well as the steps to incorporate it into daily life.

[Akibsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Es un libro con actividades para niños acompañados por adultos. Con explicaciones detalladas y amplias. Aunque está basado en el Budismo, puede aplicarse con facilidad en contextos laicos. Contiene un CD con canciones integradas en las actividades.

[Cherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really beautiful book full of insight, tips, and practices to use when teaching mindfulness to children. Wish my school was a bit more up on these things or I would incorporate them into the classroom; will use some of these ideas for sure, with them, and also, with my daughter. Excellent.

[Halden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some great exercises for working with children.

[Michaela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how this book is like a little lesson plan for mindfulness. It shows us how we can instill mindful thoughts and self reflection into children.

[Amy Makortoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely love this book.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Handy book for practices involving children and staying present --

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really beautiful book, full of great ideas and super inspiring stories and advice to practice mindfulness whatever your age :). The CD is super too including very good singing!

[Memernes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una maravilla para releer una y otra vez. Con muchisimas enseñanzas aplicables al aula.

[nadia pk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Um ótimo livro para ser se você cria um ser humano.

[Sara Scalf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not necessarily a book I’d recommend but I took away some good tips and reminders. Need to get a nice chime/bell ;)

[Marina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a gift to humanity!
I loved it all ! Full of kindness!!!

[Bllu Catalano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Planting Seeds: Practicing Mindfulness with Children by Thich Nhat Hanh is essential reading for those who work with children or who wish to help their own children learn meditative practices.

This is for all spiritual backgrounds and traditions. Don’t get hung up on this being Buddhist. These practices are not specific to any religion. They are a system. Every human, however young, has the power to develop their spiritual self, the teachings say. Some commune with god or God, some with nature. The goal is that we commune, and that we find ways to help our children connect to the goodness in the world. Whatever the wisdom is labeled, the reader of this book is provided with a wonderful guide for helping children lower stress and anxiety. No more need be said. For our times, that's essential reading.

But to say more, Buddhist practice springs from shedding judgement and learning ways to connect to the compassionate, loving self. As parents and caregivers, this intention touches the essence of our challenge with kids: how to limit our baggage, how to nurture and encourage uniqueness. The more we give care to the young, the more we realize our own hangups, and the wisdom contained in this book give parents tools to practice kindness to ourselves and others, and by so doing, teach.

This book draws on decades of development at the Plum Village community, where children are invited to stay with parents. The chapters provide stories and wisdom in the simple, concise manner that has made Thich Nhat Hanh an accessible and popular author--and an effective leader. There are many stories and anecdotes provided to show how some of these wisdoms developed and were employed.

I highly recommend this book for caregivers of any kind. Each and every trick for relaxing, letting go, and connecting to the loving self is worth its weight in gold. Teaching a child to help de-escalate stress or tension is a gift that will grow and help them for the rest of their lives. If you seek tools to help your younger students or family with lowering tension as well as gaining better insight into themselves, this book is for you.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will edit this review when I have finished the book.

But, I absolutely relate to the idea of firstly taking care of myself, then my children/family and then my community.

This book answers my need on how to model mindfulness to my children, while learning the tools of taking care of myself.Ad nourishing and sustaining my relationships.

I enjoy the CD. The music is very calming for me, and the guided meditation is helpful.

I have been looking at how to combine Buddhism with family life. I am a parent at home with two young children and not able to practice as a monk/nun would practice. I also am more drawn to a Buddhism without specific beliefs.

Essentially, I feel like this book makes Buddhism available in the context of leaning emotional regulation and nurturing social relationships - within a family context. Two goals that have been sorely missing from my experience of religion and life. These issues are very acute in my life, living in Israel.

This book gives me the tools to address the social injustice in our region, in a gentle and compassionate way.

[Carly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very good book. I think all parents and educators should read it. If not to follow it's lessons precisely, at least to get a feel for the idea of increasing mindfulness in our children and our teaching. Do not let the idea that it is based in Buddhism fool you into thinking that any other religious person could not benefit from it. I have found that most Buddhist teachings I have read firmly believe that no one should convert to Buddhism, but they feel that some of their practices could be adapted to many other religious groups and also to secular groups such as the standard school classroom and therefore respectfully share their ideas. Here in the US we are so hurried all the time and never disconnect. It would do us all a great deal of good to stop and follow our breath more often. It would also do us some good to look at things from more than one perspective and gain understanding of our fellow humans on this earth.

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think it speaks to the state of my mindfulness practice that I skimmed the rest of this book before returning it to the library. I don't think that skimming a mindfulness book is really what it's all about, but it was a good read. I incorporate a lot of mindfulness into my therapy practice with anxious, depressed, and inattentive kids. I'm also doing it myself and am really appreciating any attempts that I make in that direction. It's the gift that immediately gives and keeps on giving. I'm also enjoying how much Molly naturally embodies the practice of mindfulness. We go on walks and she tells me everything she is seeing and smelling. She can hear a plane before I can and notices tiny bugs on the sidewalk without trying. She has taught me mindfulness more than anything before. I love this book and think some of the group activities would be great for CAPS or a classroom!!

[Sps · Rating 3 out of 5]

Most of the practices and ideas in here were familiar to me from Happiness: Essential Mindfulness Practices, but they are all tailored for adults who want to bring mindfulness practice into children's lives. Some of it feels like dopey New Age blather, e.g. most of the songs on the included CD. But the practices are real, and the questions and answers with Buddhist teachers are illuminating. I bet a child raised with lots of mindfulness practice would have a wonderful, unshakeable source of strength and peace.

[Marcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a unique and wonderful book that anyone involved with children--whether as parents or teachers--should read. It's both practical and imaginative. There are wonderful activities that range from artistic to thoughtful to meditative. The activities centering around food are quite terrific in the way they help to inculcate an awareness about food, health, and agriculture. There are great ideas for helping teach kids to concentrate, to be considerate, all sorts of important lessons that they can learn by doing rather than through a lecture.