Raising a Spirited or Sensitive Child? This Soulful Practice Might Be Just What They Need
- Jenny Clark
- Aug 4
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 5
I remember watching my child one day, eyes wide, asking big questions, swept up in the magic of something tiny like a snail’s trail or a patch of sunlight. They seemed to feel everything all at once. Even then, I could tell they were tuned into something deeper. Sensitive. Intuitive. Lit up by the world and sometimes undone by it too.
If you're raising a child like this, you’ll know the beauty and the bigness of it. These children don’t just see the world, they feel it. They soak in the mood of a room. They ask impossible questions at bedtime. They carry dreams and worries around like treasures in their pockets. And in a world that’s moving fast, always pushing for more, it’s no surprise they can sometimes feel overwhelmed.
That’s exactly why we’re offering something a little different at Nest this season: a soulful, story-led circle for children called The Leverets Circle, a guided shamanic journey designed just for little ones.
What is a shamanic journey (for kids)?
You might be picturing drums and feathers, and yes, those elements are part of it but at its heart, this is about storytelling, imagination, grounding, and gentle connection to the self and the world around them.
Shamanic journeying is one of the oldest spiritual practices in the world. It uses rhythm, visualisation, and ritual to guide the listener into a state of calm focus, where they can explore their inner world, meet animal guides, and feel supported by something bigger than themselves.
For children, it’s a way to build emotional resilience, spark creative thinking, and connect with nature and their own intuition through story, play, and guided visualisation.
Why it matters for sensitive children
Research tells us that sensitive or "orchid" children those who feel deeply and are highly attuned to their surroundings, often thrive when given the right environment. According to Dr. Elaine Aron, who coined the term Highly Sensitive Person (HSP), around 15–20% of the population have this trait and it shows up in children too.
These children aren’t “too much”, they’re wired differently. And when we honour that difference, support their nervous systems, and nurture their creativity and emotional world, they flourish.
A shamanic circle gives them a sacred pause. A safe space. A story to enter. A rhythm to follow. A sense that they are not alone that the feelings they carry are valid, powerful, and even a little bit magical.
What happens in the Leverets Circle?
The Leverets Circle is named after the baby hare who lies quietly in the grass, still and alert, taking in the world and growing stronger. It’s a beautiful metaphor for our children watching, listening, learning. Trusting their instincts.
In these sessions, children are gently guided through a story-led journey that includes:
Drumming and rhythm to help settle the nervous system
Animal guides and visualisation, sparking imagination and comfort
Simple rituals and grounding practices they can use again at home
Creative expression through drawing or sharing (if they choose)
A closing circle to reflect and reconnect
There’s no pressure to share or perform only a soft invitation to explore.
Who is it for?
If your child is:
Deeply empathetic or emotionally aware
Often anxious, overstimulated, or highly imaginative
Drawn to animals, nature, magic or myth
Curious about the world beyond the everyday
Needing a gentle tool to support self-regulation
...then this circle is for them.
We’ve created this offering for the Nest community because we know how important it is to meet our children where they are, especially when the world can be a lot. The Leverets Circle is a space for grounding, connecting, and remembering the quiet magic within.
Final thoughts
Raising a sensitive child is a gift. And like all gifts, it sometimes comes with its own learning curve. But with the right support the kind that honours their way of being, they can thrive in the most beautiful ways.
If you’re looking for something gentle, soulful, and rooted in ancient practice (with a playful twist), we’d love to welcome your child into the Leverets Circle.
Let them step into story. Let them feel the beat of the drum. Let them remember who they are.
Leslie Marsh is a masterful guide in mindful movement, storytelling, and emotional support for young children. With formal training in NLP, Ericksonian Hypnotherapy, and Reiki, she draws on rituals and practices learned from shamans in Peru, Nepal, Canada, and North America, yet always distills them into something playful, accessible, and rooted in children’s experience.
At her open day through Spiralheart, Leslie invited kids into a space where yoga blends with guided visualisation and gentle storytelling. The atmosphere felt like a pause a grounding ritual where children could reconnect with themselves in a loving, intuitive way.
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