Tarot can be a fascinating and insightful tool, but when it comes to children, its appropriateness often becomes a topic of debate.
This guide aims to explore various aspects of introducing tarot to children, addressing concerns, benefits, and guidelines for age-appropriateness.
Lets talk about:
🌕 What is the Appropriate Age for Introducing Tarot to Children?
🌔 Can Tarot Be Beneficial for Children?
🌓 Addressing the Concerns: Is Tarot Safe for Kids?
🌒 How to Introduce Tarot to Children
🌑 Conducting Tarot Readings for Children
What is the Appropriate Age for Introducing Tarot to Children?
The main question we receive on this topic is of course about age. The thing is, there isn’t really an “official” age to go by. Let’s talk about this below.
And it should be said, there are of course a lot of mixed feelings with this topic. Some outright say that tarot is for adults only, while others believe the opposite.
Considering Maturity and Understanding
- There is no specific ‘minimum age’ set universally for tarot involvement. However, it is generally advisable to introduce children to tarot only when they are of an age where they can understand its symbolic nature and not interpret the images too literally or be frightened by them.
- Children around the age of 10 or older might begin to grasp the symbolic and metaphorical nature of tarot cards, but this can vary greatly depending on the individual child.
- All kids are different. Remember that regardless of age, some children just might not be suitable to this kind of learning experience. Parents must carefully consider their own kids personality, character and whether or not tarot is appropriate for them no matter what age.
We think the key to doing this successfully is to keep it light-hearted. While it’s okay for adults to associate serious life meanings to our readings, kids are likely not ready for such inwards reflection.
Keeping it friendly, light-hearted, and not so serious is likely the best approach for getting a young person involved with tarot.
Can Tarot Be Beneficial for Children?
While we need to be considerate when it comes to age, there are some potential benefits that young children could have when it comes to tarot.
Educational and Developmental Benefits
- Creativity and Imagination: Tarot cards, with their rich imagery, can stimulate a child’s imagination and creativity. They can be used as storytelling aids or as tools to encourage creative thinking.
- Emotional Intelligence: For older children, tarot can serve as a tool for self-reflection and understanding emotions. It can help in discussing various human experiences and emotions in a controlled and safe environment.
Is Tarot Safe for Kids?
Something parents need to be very careful with is how a young child might react to the cards. Let’s run through these below.
Understanding the Parents’ Perspective
- Misinterpretation of Imagery: Some tarot cards contain imagery that might be intimidating or misunderstood by children. Parents and guardians should be mindful of the deck chosen for use with children, possibly opting for decks with child-friendly imagery.
- Mature Themes: Certain themes in tarot might be too complex or mature for children. It’s important to filter the content and ensure that discussions around the cards are age-appropriate.
How to Introduce Tarot to Children
There are some “good” ways to introduce tarot to young people, let’s cover these below.
Guidelines for a Child-Friendly Approach
- Choose the Right Deck: Select a tarot deck with artwork that is suitable and appealing to children. Many decks are designed with whimsical, child-friendly imagery.
- Simplified Explanations: Simplify the meanings of the cards. Focus on basic concepts and avoid delving into more complex or mature themes.
- Supervised Learning: Ensure that tarot exploration is supervised. Guide the child through the cards, turning the experience into an opportunity for learning and bonding.
- Focus on Positive Aspects: Use the tarot cards to highlight positive messages and life lessons, avoiding any frightening or negative interpretations.
Conducting Tarot Readings for Children: Parental Guidance and Ethics
When it comes to parents performing tarot readings for their children, the decision must be approached with caution, sensitivity, and a clear understanding of the purpose and nature of the reading.
To Read or Not to Read: Weighing the Decision
- Purpose of the Reading: Parents should first consider the purpose behind conducting a tarot reading for their child. Tarot readings should be used as a tool for positive guidance, encouragement, and fostering understanding, rather than prediction or decision-making.
- Child’s Comfort and Interest: It’s important to gauge the child’s interest and comfort level with tarot. If a child is curious and views the tarot as a fun and engaging activity, a reading can be a delightful experience. However, if a child is disinterested or uncomfortable, it’s better to refrain from doing a reading.
Ethical Considerations in Readings for Kids
- Avoiding Predictive Readings: Tarot readings for children should steer clear of predictions about future events. Children might take predictions to heart and may not have the emotional maturity to understand the fluid and metaphorical nature of tarot.
- Focus on Empowerment and Growth: Readings should be framed in a way that empowers the child. For instance, instead of focusing on outcomes, use the cards to explore different scenarios and the values or lessons they might represent.
Age-Appropriate Content
- Ensure that the content of the readings is age-appropriate. Avoid complex or mature themes and keep the narratives simple and uplifting. The readings should be more about exploration and less about providing definitive answers.
Parental Discretion and Guidance
- Parents should use their discretion and judgment when performing readings. They know their child best and should tailor the reading to suit the child’s personality and emotional maturity.
- Guided Interpretation: It’s crucial for parents to guide the child through the interpretation of the cards, ensuring that the child understands the symbolic nature of the imagery and the messages.
Conclusion
Introducing children to tarot can be a beneficial and enriching experience when done responsibly and with consideration of the child’s age, maturity, and understanding.
Tarot can be a creative and educational tool, aiding in the development of imagination and emotional intelligence. However, it is essential to choose the right deck, simplify the concepts, and ensure that the approach is positive and age-appropriate.
As with any tool used in child development, parental guidance and supervision are key to ensuring a safe and valuable experience.