How to explain chakras for kids: a guide for parents

The chakra system is a complex concept that can be difficult to explain to children. However, there are a few simple ways to make it more understandable for your little ones.

What are chakras?

Chakras are energy centers located along the spine. They are said to be responsible for our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

How can I explain chakras to my child?

One way to explain chakras to children is to use an analogy. Let’s use flowers as an example. Just as flowers need water, sunlight, and nutrients to grow and bloom, our chakras need energy to function properly and allow us to thrive. When our chakras are open and balanced, like a well-nourished flower, we feel happy and healthy. When our chakras are blocked or closed like a flower that is in need of water, sunlight, and nutrients, we may feel sad, angry, or stressed.

Another analogy to use would be to imagine our bodies are like a house, and our energy is like the electricity that powers it. When the electricity is flowing freely, all the appliances in the house work properly, and the house is comfortable to live in. But when there is a problem with the wiring, the electricity can get blocked, and some of the appliances may not work properly. The chakras are like the circuit breakers that allow electricity to flow throughout our bodies so we can be happy and healthy.

What are the seven main chakras?

Although most people are aware of the seven main chakras, there are an estimated 365 or more chakras throughout the body. When teaching Reiki to others, I focus on the 12-chakra system. However, for the purpose of not overwhelming children, we will focus on the seven main chakras, which are located along the spine. Each chakra has a different color and symbol, and each is associated with different emotions and physical functions.

The Root Chakra is located at the base of the spine. This chakra is responsible for our sense of security and stability. Like a sturdy stem that anchors the flower to the ground. When this chakra is open, we feel grounded and secure, just as a flower with a strong stem can withstand the elements.
The Sacral Chakra is located in the lower abdomen. This chakra is responsible for our creativity and emotions. When this chakra is balanced, we feel creativity and the ability to express our emotions freely, just as a flower's petals open and bloom to reveal their beauty.
The Solar Plexus Chakra is located in the upper abdomen. This chakra is responsible for our self-esteem and confidence. This chakra resembles the beautiful center of a flower. When this chakra is balanced, we feel confidence and a sense of self-worth, just as the sunflower's heart radiates warmth and positivity.
The Heart Chakra is located in the middle of the chest. This chakra is responsible for our love, compassion, and relationship with ourselves and others. When this chakra is open, we radiate love and compassion towards others, just as a flower's petals open to welcome bees to pollinate them.
The Throat Chakra is located in the throat. This chakra is responsible for our communication and self-expression. When this chakra is balanced, we communicate clearly and express our truth, just as a flower's fragrance fills the air.
The Third Eye Chakra is located between the eyebrows. This chakra is responsible for our intuition, wisdom, and imagination. When this chakra is open, a flower's bud unfolds to reveal its full hidden potential.
The Crown Chakra is located at the top of the head. This chakra is responsible for our spiritual connection. When this chakra is balanced, we experience a deep sense of connection to something greater than ourselves, just as a flower grows toward the sun for nourishment.

Just as a gardener carefully tends to their flowers, we can create our own beautiful inner garden, allowing our chakras to blossom and radiate their unique energies.

How can I help my child balance their chakras?

Like great gardeners, we can nurture our garden of chakras by incorporating healthy practices that promote energy flow and balance. Some ideas include:

Reiki. Reiki is a gentle and non-invasive healing technique that has been used for centuries and can be safely used on people of all ages, including pregnant women and children. Reiki clears blockages, increases the flow of energy, promotes relaxation, and increases self-awareness and personal growth. You can read more about Reiki and its benefits on the Chakra To Ya blog here.
Yoga: Yoga is a great way to open and balance the chakras. There are many yoga poses for children.
Meditation: Meditation can help children to focus on their breath and relax their minds. This can help to open and balance the chakras.
Mindfulness: Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to the present moment. This can help children to become more aware of their thoughts and feelings, which can help them to balance their chakras.
Crystals: Crystals are said to have certain healing properties. Some crystals are said to be good for balancing specific chakras. A great starter crystal would be Amethyst. You can read more about Amethyst and its healing properties on the Chakra To Ya blog here.
Connecting with nature: Nature is full of prana, or life force energy, which can help us feel grounded and connected to the earth, helping us to balance, nourish, and energize our chakras. The sights, sounds, smells, and textures of nature can all help to stimulate our senses, which can help to open and balance our chakras.

Additional Tips

Use simple language: Avoid using jargon or technical terms.
Use visuals: Use pictures, diagrams, or videos to help your child understand. Check out the Chakra To Ya print-from-home Chakra affirmation and FAQ flashcards here.
Make it fun: Play games, sing songs, or do activities that make learning about chakras enjoyable.
Be patient: It may take some time for your child to understand the concept of chakras.
Lead by example: Children learn by watching the adults in their lives. If you want your child to learn about chakras, be sure to model healthy behaviors that will help them to balance their own chakras.

By understanding the analogy between flowers and chakras, we can empower ourselves and our children to cultivate a holistic approach to well-being, nourishing not only our physical bodies but also our emotional, mental, and spiritual selves, just as a gardener nurtures the flower's roots, stem, petals, and crown.

Additional helpful resources you may like: