As a teacher with 19 years experience of working with children of all ages and a hypnotherapist of 5 years I can tell you with some degree of expertise that children are amazing!
Hypnosis is something that we all do every day. We may not know it for what it is but whenever we are daydreaming or involved in a film or book, doing something automatically without thinking (such as walking) we are in a state of hypnosis.
Children are extremely good at this. They are able to use their imaginations to create fantastic worlds, creatures and stories. They hyper-focus on the games they play on computer consoles etc and they can listen dreamily to a bedtime story.
Occasionally their vivid imaginations can work against them (for instance fear of the dark) and in some cases an off-hand negative comment can burrow its way past the critical factor and imbed itself as a 'truth' leaving the child convinced that they are ugly, clumsy, rubbish at art, shy and so on. Unless steps are taken to counteract this false belief these children could well grow up into adulthood certain of the knowledge that they will never be any good with numbers or love or public speaking and so on.
In addition the subconscious mind does not hear a negative (by negative I mean words such as 'don't'). Saying to a child 'don't run' is to tell the subconscious to do exactly that 'run' . Take away the word 'don't' in these common phrases and what are we really saying?
Don't lie to me
Don't hit your sister
Don't be scared
Don't run
It's quite simple to turn these round to a subconscious positive
Tell me the truth
Be gentle with your sister
Stay calm
Walk
If you are a parent or someone who works closely with children you can use this knowledge to your advantage by telling them stories that show characters overcoming obstacles and personal set-backs. Set an example for your child by pointing out the positives in every situation (easier said than done I know!) and allow them to be creative when playing.
Most of all remember that no-one is perfect and it is OK to make mistakes now and again provided you are prepared to learn from them and enjoy the journey of parenthood with all its twists and turns.
If you would like to know more about how hypnosis could help you or your child please call Sam Harris on 07944 286 807 or e-mail me at sam@hypnotherapy-tamworth.co.uk I am fully CRB checked, insured and a member of The National Council for Hypnotherapy.
Sam Harris
B.Ed HONS Dip C Hyp Dip NLP Life Coach Dip Meridian Therapies MNCH
www.foralteredawareness.com
