Children and animals typically progress faster than adults when using vibrational essences because they have fewer layers of character and defenses built up over periods of time in response to the wounds we all experience in life.  However, if children have been abused or abandoned--if the wounds are deep and one is not using essences to address typical developmental issues--this is not the case, and additional forms of therapy are strongly advised.  At right is the buttercup which is helpful for children who experience low self-esteem, compare themselves to others, don't want to show their work, or feel insignificant (courtesy of FES).  All flowers shown on this page are helpful for adults as well as children. 

Essences may be used for a great many situations, problems, and goals with children (probably anything you can think of!).  Nightmares; bedwetting; shyness; social, learning, and school issues; neediness; daydreaming; hypersensitivity; fears; bonding problems; abuse; abandonment; and trauma are some of the possibilities.  At left is the mariposa lily, probably one of the most important essences needed today.  It helps provide nurturing feminine energy and has been used successfully with adopted children; for "failure to thrive" issues in children living in orphanages; in cases of abandonment, abuse or any form of alienation from oneís mother or the ability to mother; and in healing of the inner child (courtesy of FES). 

Children usually love taking essences.  The bottle containing the essences may be decorated with decals or stickers, one may create lovely affirmations to be used with the child when taking the essences, and taking the essences can become a special time.  Children also respond well to receiving the essences massaged on in creams with added essential oils.  At right is the pink yarrow, helpful for children who somatize family problems or who are experiencing a great deal of trauma in their environment, such as violence or divorce (courtesy of FES). 

Essences may even be given to babies.  You can rub the essences on the wrists of the baby, on the inside of the ear, or on the fontanel if itís not closed yet (the skin is very thin there and the essences enter the bloodstream through the skin).  If the child is still nursing, the baby will receive any essences the mother is taking through the mother's milk.  Since the childís behavior and responses may be influenced by the mother, giving the essences to both may be helpful.  Some people have reported that just placing the bottle of essences in the crib has an effect on the baby through the vibration of the essences.  At left is the shooting star, helpful for children who feel alienated and not a part of the human family.  It is indicated for handicapped children, for children who experienced birth traumas or who may have birth defects, and for autistic children as part of a long-term program (courtesy of Steve Johnson, Alaskan Flower Essence Project). 

There has been a great deal of work done using flower essence therapy with children who have been diagnosed as having Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity.  It has been found that, in the majority of cases, children suffering from these disorders experienced some trauma stemming from early childhood.  When the trauma is treated with flower essences combined with other forms of therapy, the symptoms associated with ADD and ADHD often decrease or disappear.  It is most helpful if parents are willing to consider dietary issues which may also be a contributing factor.  At right is the California wild rose, helpful for children who are apathetic or who, for whatever reason, may not want to be fully present with vitality in their bodies (courtesy of FES).

Click here to read a wonderful goldenrod story about a young boy (found in Radical Healing by Rudolph Ballentine).