Helping Children Hear Their Inner Voice – and Why It Matters More Than Ever

A few weeks ago, I read a book to one of my kindergarten classes about embracing your gifts. Afterward, I asked the children what they thought their special gift might be. One child raised her hand and said with such certainty, “My gift is that I listen to my inner voice.”

I was stunned—in the best way. What a powerful thing for a young child to recognize and say out loud.

It reminded me why I do this work. Helping children connect with their inner voice—what I often call their Inner Wisdom—is one of the most important things we can do as parents, educators, and caregivers.

What is the inner voice?

It’s that quiet, steady feeling inside that helps us know when something feels right, or when it doesn’t. It’s the voice that says, “That wasn’t kind, and I want to make it right,” or “I don’t feel comfortable doing that, even if my friends are.”

Sometimes it shows up as a whisper. Other times it’s a feeling in the belly or heart. But it’s always there—waiting to be heard.

Why does this matter?

When children learn to hear and trust their inner voice, they begin to make choices that reflect who they really are—not who others want them to be. This becomes especially important in the teenage years, when peer pressure, social media, and self-doubt can pull them away from their center.

An attuned inner voice becomes a compass. It helps them stand strong in their values, walk away from situations that don’t feel right, and speak up for what they believe in.

How can we help children connect with their inner voice?

• Create quiet space. In a noisy world, children need time to hear themselves think and feel. Moments of mindfulness, time in nature, or even a simple pause before making a choice can help.

• Ask guiding questions. Instead of rushing to solve a problem for them, try asking, “What do you think is the right thing to do?” or “What does your heart say?”

• Celebrate their insights. When a child makes a choice based on their inner knowing, notice it. Let them know you see their wisdom—and that it matters.

  
  

A gift that lasts a lifetime

When a child learns to trust their inner voice, it plants the seeds of self-trust that will grow with them. They’ll carry it into friendships, relationships, careers, and challenges we can’t yet imagine.

Let’s keep creating space for children to connect with their inner wisdom. It might just be the most important gift we can help them unwrap.

Child spending quiet time in nature