How Do You Share an Understanding of the Three Principles with Children?

–Writtenby Natasha Swerdloff

Parents often contact me because they want to help their children. Their love and concern for their little ones are evident, but ironically, it is precisely this deep concern that can sometimes put more pressure on the child. Without realizing it, parents’ concerns can create an additional burden for the child. 

That’s why my approach always starts with the parents. By talking to them first, we can work together to address any unintended pressure they may be putting on their children. After that, I talk to the child to understand and support them at their level. But the journey doesn’t stop there. I also guide the parents on how to share and communicate with their children in a constructive and supportive way. This blog will delve deeper into this process and give you some concrete tips on what to keep in mind when sharing your understanding with your child.

First and foremost, it is important to understand that, in many cases, children already have a natural understanding of the Three Principles. Often, they know much more about them than we do. But sharing this understanding with children is very much like sharing it with anyone else.

The Right State of Mind:First, we must make sure that we ourselves are in the right state of mind. We must see the world through the Three Principles ourselves if we want to help anyone, whether they are children or adults.

Create a lighthearted and playful atmosphere:Especially when we’re spending time with children, it’s important to create a lighthearted and playful atmosphere so they’re open to learning something new.

Listen deeply:It is essential to listen very attentively to children in order to understand where they’re coming from and what might be holding them back. We need to listen on a level where we can intuitively sense how best to help them.

Share at their level:When we share the Three Principles, we should do so in a way that children can understand and relate to. For example, they can understand that when their minds are confused, they don’t make the best decisions. They can also recognize the feeling of calm when their minds are clear.

When we want to share with children, it’s good to use creativity because it gives them insight into how their thoughts influence their experiences.

Think of a snow globe. When you shake it, everything inside gets covered in snow—it’s like when we have a lot of thoughts and feel confused. After a while, when the snow settles, things inside the globe become clear again. It’s like those moments when we feel calm and happy. 

With the snow globe, we can show children that just as the snow settles, our thoughts and feelings can also settle, so that we feel more at ease.

The key to capturing children’s attention lies in our ability to first deepen our own understanding.

That’s also what we call “grounding.” As parents, we naturally want the best for our children, which is why it’s important that we approach them with authenticity, openness, and empathy.

Remember that children often intuitively understand these principles. Therefore, our task is not so much to “teach” them as it is to “remind” them of what they already know. Through playful approaches, such as the snow globe example, we can make these concepts more vivid and relatable to them.

Finally, I would like to encourage all parents to take the time to reflect on their own inner experiences and insights. Once we truly understand and live by the Three Principles in our own lives, this will naturally radiate out to the young people around us, with whom we wish to share them.

So go for it, and may your journey of sharing the Three Principles with your child be filled with insights, connections, and moments of love.