Teach Your Kids Tarot: A Step-by-Step Guide

Tarot cards, often seen as mysterious and esoteric tools for divination, can also be incredible instruments for creativity, storytelling, and personal growth. Teaching your kids to read tarot can be a fun and enriching experience that fosters their intuition, imagination, and emotional intelligence. This guide will provide a step-by-step approach to introducing tarot to children in a playful and age-appropriate manner.

Understanding Tarot

Before you begin teaching your kids about tarot, it’s important to have a basic understanding of what tarot is. Tarot decks typically contain 78 cards, divided into two main sections: the Major Arcana (22 cards) and the Minor Arcana (56 cards).

• Major Arcana: These cards represent significant life events and themes. Each card holds deep symbolism and provides insight into one’s journey.

• Minor Arcana: This section deals with everyday events and experiences. It’s divided into four suits: Cups (emotions), Pentacles (material aspects), Swords (thoughts), and Wands (action).

While tarot has roots in mysticism, it can also serve as a tool for reflection and understanding rather than prediction.

Step 1: Choose the Right Deck

Selecting the right tarot deck is crucial when teaching children. Look for decks with colorful illustrations, engaging themes, or even those that tell stories. Some popular child-friendly decks include:

• The Wild Unknown Tarot: Features beautiful animal imagery.
• The Cosmic Tarot: Offers vibrant colors and imaginative designs.
• Tarot for Kids by Liz Dean: Specifically designed for younger audiences with easy-to-understand concepts.

Encourage your children to pick a deck that resonates with them personally; this can make the learning experience more enjoyable.

Step 2: Create a Comfortable Learning Environment

The atmosphere in which you teach is vital. Create a safe, calm space where kids feel comfortable expressing themselves. Here are some tips:

• Set the Mood: Use soft lighting or candles to create a cozy environment.
• Gather Supplies: Have a journal for notes, art supplies for creative expression, and perhaps some snacks to keep energy levels up during sessions.
• Limit Distractions: Turn off electronic devices or use them sparingly to maintain focus on the cards and discussions.

Step 3: Introduce the Cards

Start by familiarizing your child with the different cards in the deck. Here’s how you can do that:

Major Arcana

Begin with the Major Arcana, as these cards often convey powerful messages about life’s milestones. Introduce them one at a time:

1. Card Meaning: Discuss the symbolism of each card. For example, “The Fool” represents new beginnings and taking risks.
2. Storytelling: Encourage your child to create a story around each card based on its imagery and symbolism.
3. Personal Connection: Ask your child how each card might relate to their life or feelings.

Minor Arcana

Move on to the Minor Arcana once they are comfortable with the Major Arcana:

1. Suits Overview: Explain each suit’s meaning—Cups for emotions, Pentacles for material aspects, Swords for thoughts, and Wands for actions.
2. Number Meanings: Discuss how numbers influence card meanings (e.g., Aces represent beginnings while Tens signify completion).
3. Visual Exercises: Encourage kids to draw connections between the images in the Minor Arcana and their own experiences.

Step 4: Teach Basic Spreads

Once kids understand individual cards, introduce simple tarot spreads that help them interpret multiple cards together:

One-Card Pull

Start with a One-Card Pull where they ask a question or seek guidance on a specific issue.

1. Question Formation: Teach them how to frame open-ended questions like “What should I focus on today?”
2. Interpretation: Let them examine the card drawn, discussing its potential meanings.

Three-Card Spread

Once comfortable with one-card pulls, move on to a three-card spread representing Past, Present, and Future.

1. Position Explanation: Explain what each position signifies.
2. Discussion: Help them discuss how the cards interact with one another.

Step 5: Encourage Intuitive Reading

Tarot isn’t just about memorizing meanings; it’s also about intuition and interpretation:

1. Personal Interpretation: Encourage kids to trust their instincts when reading cards.
2. Artistic Expression: Allow them to draw or paint their interpretations of cards as an artistic outlet.
3. Journaling: Inspire them to keep a tarot journal documenting their readings and insights over time.

Step 6: Integrate Themes of Empathy and Emotional Intelligence

Teaching tarot can serve as an excellent opportunity to foster empathy and emotional intelligence:

1. Discuss Feelings: After readings, engage children in conversations about emotions related to different cards.
2. Role Play: Use card meanings as prompts for role-playing different scenarios that require empathy or problem-solving.
3. Story Sharing: Encourage kids to share stories associated with particular cards from both personal experiences and literature.

Step 7: Make It Fun!

Integrating games into learning can enhance engagement:

1. Tarot Bingo: Create bingo cards using various tarot card images; this helps reinforce recognition of symbols.
2. Story Time Games: Have them use randomly drawn cards to craft collaborative stories.
3. Creative Art Projects: Organize art sessions where children create their own tarot-inspired artworks based on their favorite cards.

Step 8: Foster Community Engagement

Encouraging your child to connect with others who share an interest in tarot can cultivate social skills and community spirit:

1. Meetups or Workshops: Look for local tarot workshops suitable for kids or create your own group sessions at home.
2. Family Readings: Involve family members in group readings where kids can practice their skills in front of an audience they trust.

Conclusion

Teaching kids tarot can be an enriching experience that nurtures creativity, emotional awareness, and critical thinking skills. By following this step-by-step guide, you can create an engaging curriculum tailored to their interests while ensuring the lessons remain light-hearted and enjoyable. Remember that at its core, tarot is about exploration—both of oneself and the world around us—so embrace this journey together!