Children's Dharma Meditation Program
Empower Your Child with the Power of the Truth of their Sacred NatureSunday Program for Children Ages 5 to 12
At Dzokden Rime Institute in Belgrave, we believe that even the youngest among us hold incredible inner wisdom. Our Children’s Meditation & Dharma Program offers children ages 5 to 12 a chance to explore their Buddha nature in a joyful, supportive environment—through stories, movement, meditation, chanting, creativity, and friendship.
This is more than a dharma and meditation course—it’s an invitation for your child to begin a lifelong journey of inner peace, self-awareness, and compassionate action.
Monthly Class Format
Each 90-minute class, held monthly, is lovingly designed to nurture a child’s natural sense of wonder, curiosity, and kindness. Here’s what you can expect:
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Guided meditations tailored for young minds
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Creative arts & crafts projects rooted in Buddhist values
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Interactive stories & games exploring wisdom and compassion
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Movement & yoga to connect body and breath
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Chanting & music to open the heart
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Peer sharing & discussion to build emotional intelligence
Program Overview
Classes cover topics such as:
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Patience & Concentration – through glitter jars and mindful walking
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Loving Kindness & Compassion – with prayer flags and “wish catchers”
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Generosity & Joyful Effort – through games and gratitude cards
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Interdependence – with “web of yarn” and ecology activities
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Shambhala Vision – exploring peace and harmony through art and story
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Buddha Nature – culminating in a collective flower mandala
Our themes draw from the six perfections of the Bodhisattva path:
Generosity, Patience, Joyful Effort, Ethical Conduct, Concentration, and Wisdom.
Building Inner Peace, Strength and Community
All adult facilitators have valid Working with Children Checks, and the team works together to create a peaceful, respectful, and inspiring space.
Why Parents Love it
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Peaceful setting at our Tibetan Buddhist centre
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Concurrent adult meditation class (so you can recharge, too)
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Donation-based access—ensuring no one is turned away
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Small class sizes for personal attention (max 10–20 kids)
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Led by dedicated facilitators with Dharma, parenting, and mental health experience
Many parents have asked us: “How can I introduce my child to mindfulness and compassion in a way that’s natural and meaningful?” This program is the answer.
Why This Matters
Children today face pressures that adults never imagined at their age—social complexity, anxiety, and emotional overload. Our program helps them:
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Regulate their emotions with simple meditation tools
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Build confidence by discovering their inner strength
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Understand kindness, gratitude, and generosity
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Develop spiritual insight and resilience
This isn’t just Dharma for kids—it’s emotional education, spiritual connection, and community-building, all wrapped into a nurturing and fun experience.
Building our Golden Age Peace Keepers of Tomorrow
Help inspire your children to become the peace builders of tomorrow—compassionate, wise, and courageous beings who can truly change the world. At Dzokden, we believe the Golden Age begins with the awakening of a child’s heart—not just to stillness, but to fierce, unshakable compassion. Guided by Khentrul Rinpoche’s vision of the Shambhala warrior, our Children’s Meditation & Dharma Program nurtures the inner strength, clarity, and purpose needed to help others, no matter the challenge. These young Dharma practitioners are not just learning to be calm—they are learning to care deeply, think clearly, and act with loving determination. Through meditation, ethical values, and joyful connection to their Buddha nature, they are stepping into their sacred role as peace builders and compassionate warriors of Shambhala, planting the seeds of the Golden Age of Dharma here on Earth.
Inclusive and Accessable
We welcome children of all backgrounds, abilities, and learning styles into a safe, compassionate space where every child is valued. Our curriculum is adaptable for neurodiverse learners and sensitive to individual needs—whether a child is reflective, expressive, or requires sensory or mobility support. We work closely with parents and caregivers to ensure the experience is meaningful and accessible to all.
Our facilitators hold valid Working with Children Checks and are committed to the highest standards of safety, inclusion, and emotional wellbeing. At Dzokden, we’re creating more than a class—we’re building a welcoming Dharma community where every child can connect with their inner wisdom and thrive.
Meet our Teacher Sarah Perry
Dharma Student, Youth Mentor, Meditation Teacher and Mother
“I created this program from my heart. It’s the kind of experience I would want for my own children—joyful, safe, and full of wisdom they can carry for life.”
At the heart of the Children’s Meditation & Dharma Program is Sarah Perry—a devoted mother, passionate youth mentor, and long-time student of Tibetan Buddhism. Guided by Dzokden Rime Institute’s Spiritual Director, Khentrul Rinpoche, since 2010, Sarah has deeply immersed herself in the Kalachakra path through retreats, empowerments, and volunteer work, including editing Rinpoche’s books. Her Dharma practice is not just study—it’s how she lives and teaches, blending spiritual depth with real-world compassion to create a nurturing space for every child she meets.
In addition to her Dharma practice, Sarah has worked in the mental health field supporting young people, and previously led staff mindfulness programs as a lawyer—earning recognition for her work in wellbeing. As a mother of primary-aged children, she understands the need for meaningful spiritual support. This program was inspired in part by her own daughter’s interest in meditation, and her insight into what many families are seeking today.
UPCOMING SESSIONS
June 2025
July 2025
August 2025
September 2025
October 2025
November 2025
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