Our society has never been so fast-moving, and our children are growing up with technology that we could never dream of when we were their age. They can connect with friends across the globe at the touch of a button, and all the knowledge they could ever want is available to them, twenty-four hours a day.

But are they missing out on some of the simpler things that Earth has to offer? Undoubtedly, some would say. We can encourage them to play outside or gaze up at the night sky to find familiar shapes in the heavens. But we can also bring the elements into our homes, and let our little ones marvel at the treasures of the periodic table.

The fascination humans have with crystals dates back at least six thousand years, to the ancient Sumerians of Mesopotamia, and the ancient Egyptians adorned their clothing and jewellery with polished stones in the belief that they warded off illness.

Whether you believe crystal healing to be pseudoscience, or a gift from the Universe where everything has failed, it’s hard to discount the beauty and colour that they have to offer.

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Crystal consultant, Bunmi Aboaba from Crystal & Rox, recognised that children love to explore with their senses, and here, she shares a few ways that you can encourage your child to find joy in the little things.

A word of caution: Please be mindful and never leave a small child unattended with crystals. They can easily be swallowed, or stuffed into ears and noses, and larger pieces can cause injury if they are dropped.

Activities

Simple tasks such as getting your child to describe the colour, shape, and pattern of a crystal can help them with their critical thinking. Start with the primary colours; blue, red, and yellow, and slowly introduce orange, green, and purple as they grow more confident. This is also a great technique for practicing mindfulness. By focussing on a single object, they are able to become adept at staying in the present moment, a skill that will benefit them throughout their lives.

Creating artwork and jewellery with your child is a fun and creative activity. Elasticated thread and small crystals drilled with holes are available in specialist shops and online, and can produce wearable pieces that your child will cherish. Small stones can make lovely embellishments to a painting or drawing by using PVA glue or an ultra-low temperature glue gun. Be sure to always keep close watch whenever using adhesives.

Helping with challenging situations

Once your child is at an age where you feel comfortable leaving them unsupervised with small items, place a crystal on their bedside table, or even under their bed. Place them in the tub to add a touch of fun to bath time. Give them a variety of stones to choose from, but don’t overwhelm them! Let them discover which catch their eye, or feel a particular attachment towards. You could suggest that they pick out which three they like the most, and add more in over time. You can also give them tumble stones to carry around in their pockets. Tumble stones are typically a couple of centimetres in width, and have a smooth surface that feels wonderful in the hand.

If you find that your little one gains great enjoyment from interacting with crystals, you could help them create a crystal grid. These are groups of crystals arranged in a geometric pattern. They are available in kits, or you could explore and research together to create a combination that your child feels would benefit them the most.

Here are a few common issues that children have to cope with, and the crystals they can use to help them along the way.

Low self-esteem and nerves: Tiger’s Eye, Rose Quartz, Carnelian

Nightmares: Amethyst, Moonstone, Smoky Quartz

Anxiety and distress: Sodalite, Red Jasper, Agate

Hyperactivity: Hematite, Lepidolite, Lapis Lazuli

Lack of focus: Aquamarine, Amazonite, Fluorite

If you’d like to test the waters to see how your child will respond to the suggestion of bringing crystals into their lives, you could try gifting them the stone associated with their zodiac sign, or the month they were born in. These stones are said to represent the vibrations of the stars and planets at our time of birth.

Please Note: Crystals must only be used in tandem with medical treatment and professional advice. They are an aid, and should not be used as a replacement.