Krishna Consciousness for Children

Love for Krishna can be developed through practice and the sooner one starts better it is. The process of devotion needs one to purify ones body and soul and the same is done through a gradual process of engaging ones senses in devotional practice. The human senses due to the influence of Maya for ages are reluctant at first but gradually they start to sense bliss in devotion which attracts neophyte devotees to increasing love for Krishna. Children born in Krishna conscious families are fortunate to be influenced by pure devotional service at an early stage in life and this opportunity should be utilized to make them progress in their devotion.

There are a number of activities that can be taken up by parent wishing to have their children become engaged in devotional service. The materialistic up side of most devotional activities is that it creates a distaste for harmful material activities like alcohol and gambling thus creating a positive cycle of material and spiritual growth. Humans have a tendency to keep their senses busy by engaging them in something at any time and devoid of a spiritual presence in their lives they naturally tend to be inclined to activities not generally in the interest of their material progress as well. Hence the need to engage the children in your family to practices that will make them better individuals and more loving towards everyone.

Reading Krishna conscious literature

Children should be given little story books on Krishna past times, Ramayan and Mahabharat. They are ineteresting to read and also a great way to learn the moral principles in life by way of example. Our temple has a Sunday program for children in which they are taught from the religious books, given music lessons and take up activities like painting and singing bhajans. This program most certainly engages children and they become inclined to take up other spiritual activities.

Chanting

The process of chanting the Mahamantra is very simple and it can be learnt by Children very easily. They are also likely to develop the ability to focus which can be useful in academic environments. The process of chanting the Mahamantra is so sublime it raises even the soul of the person listening to it and the children when they listen to your own chanting at home can become interested and inclined to chant themselves hence the need to lead by example.

Prasadam

Inculcating the habit of offering food to Krishna before eating can allow children to become Krishna conscious at a very early stage. Krishna’s prasadam has the power to cleanse the contaminted soul. Even if one does not do other devotional activities but takes prasadam served to Krishna almost automatically that person is attracted to Krishna and takes up other activities that increase his love.

Prayers and Mangal Aarti with Family

Children should learn to pray before and after all major activities during the day including getting up in the morning, having prasadam and going to bed. This allows them to learn the process of soothing their mind and prepare themselves physically and spiritually to take up that activity. Mangal aarti with the family can allow them to discipline themselves in their spiritual practice and create a positive circle of good habits and greater devotion.

Other means of engaging children in devotional practice and service is through art based on Krishna past times, practice of the regulative principles and Imbibing good qualities through the knowledge of the Bhagavad Gita and greater love for Krishna. Children are like clay at their early stages in life and it depends on the parents how they mould them. By mixing the love of Krishna with the clay the form that is achieved will be in harmony with Krishna’s creation, the children will be full of love for everything that exists and through their love for Krishna become attractive to him thus getting his mercy in all spiritual and material endeavors.