I am often asked, “How do you use NLP on kids?” Kids are actually easier to work with than adults, because they have much less critical factor and their “stuff” doesn’t get in the way. Here are 10 tips as to how you can use NLP anchoring on kids.
1. Spatially anchoring circles with states to function as resources
Pick a spot on the floor, and this is where the child’s circle of “excellence” or “magic” lies. You can simply elicit a desired state in the child, and ask them to step into that circle when the timing to set the anchor is good. Simply put inside the circle as many resources as the child needs. The circle can be folded up and placed inside the pocket of course.
2. Spatially anchoring circles with images or objects to function as resources
A variation of the above is to imagine or draw the circle on the floor and ask the child to create an object, … a painting or something like that, and put that inside the circle.
3. Anchoring lucky charms and photographs
Anchoring objects is also a way to help the child access a positive state. Be sure to not anchor only one charm, in case it gets lost. So for instance, anchor a lucky charm for the one upcoming test, and create a new one for the next test. Anchor a child to a photograph: this is a good idea in a situation where he or she gets homesick being away from his/her parents.
4. A self anchor
Naturally letting children put an anchor on themselves that can be fired at any time.
5. Anchoring a word
Let the child repeat and visualize a certain word as the anchor.
6. Anchoring a child to your touch and sound
Touching your child in a specific location while saying a certain motivational word is an excellent way to allow your child to associate into the feeling of being praised.
7. Integrating or collapsing an anchor
An anchoring integration, which is mandatory to learn inside an NLP Practitioner training, works extremely well on children. You can cancel out a negative state in a certain context with a more positive resource. You can also flatten a negative anchor that naturally occurs, with a more positive one. Also consider working on habits.
8. Anchoring a child in a naturally occurring state
Those are the easiest ones! When a kid doubles over in laughter, you may want to anchor that.
9. Anchoring age appropriately
Your elicitation should be age appropriate! This is a great source of fun for any NLP Practitioner working with a very young child. Not just making your elicitation age appropriate and fun, but also turning on your own creativity and imagination.
10. Anchoring your child in a routine of love
Some things I remember from my childhood are: the tea and cookies that were waiting for me when I would come home from school, regular bed time stories, and my family coming into my room to sing happy birthday. So many years later, I am still positively anchored to all of these things.
