Tapping for Render Hearts:

A simple EFT Practice for Children

This simple method has the potential to help children grow into adults with deep inner peace and genuine self-confidence.

If every child were given these benefits, our chances for lasting world peace would far surpass anything promised by military power, weapons, or threats. In fact, if everyone learned to cultivate this kind of peace, our need for armies, bombs, and conflict would likely disappear altogether. War becomes unnecessary for those who truly live in peace.

1. The Basic Idea

Each night, as children are tucked into bed, parents can ask:

“Can you tell me about your good and bad thoughts, and the good and bad things that happened to you today?”

As the child shares their experiences—both the pleasant and the difficult—the parent gently and lovingly taps or softly rubs the EFT points.

2. Expected Results

Experienced EFT practitioners understand the value of tapping on the “bad” things (we’ll discuss tapping on the “good” things later). When a child tells their story, they are naturally “tuned in” to the problem, making the tapping process highly effective in resolving or at least easing the emotional intensity of the issue.

This is especially important for children, who are constantly absorbing emotional material from their parents, teachers, peers, television, and the world around them. Over time, these influences accumulate—what we adults might call our “emotional garbage.” If left unresolved, these stored emotions become invisible barriers that limit our growth and potential. Unprocessed fears, guilt, grief, and trauma can echo loudly in our adult lives, often at great cost to both our inner peace and our well-being.

Examples of the "bad things children might bring up:

"Daddy scared me when he yelled at me."
"I saw a monster eating people on television."
"My teacher doesn't think I'm very smart."
"I can't run as fast as Jimmy."
"Donna is prettier than I am."
"The minister said I have to be perfect or God won't love me."

There are, of course, countless examples of experiences that take up residence as uninvited guests in a child’s psyche. Most of these are imagined stories—fictions—that end up shaping a child’s life far more than their formal education ever could.

Attentive parents have an excellent opportunity to prevent these “self-confidence suckers” each day. The process itself can be nurturing for both parent and child, as children love to be touched, tapped, or rubbed in loving, attentive ways.

While you’re connecting in this way, you can naturally ask more questions about “what happened today,” allowing the child to open up and reveal deeper layers of feeling. You can also offer gentle reframes (alternative perspectives) as you tap—often with far greater effect than if you raised these ideas in ordinary conversation.

This approach can even help pre-verbal infants. Although babies can’t describe what’s wrong, their cries or signs of distress clearly show that something—a fear, a trauma, or physical discomfort—needs soothing. In these moments, the infant is “tuned in” to the problem and thus primed for EFT. Adding gentle tapping to your comforting “there, there” and soothing words can bring significant long-term benefits.

You may notice that this process doesn’t necessarily include the traditional EFT Setup phrase. While children seem to need it less than adults, it can still be valuable to include. A playful and affirming phrase that children love might be:

“Even though I have this ____________, I’m still an awesome kid.”

In this case, tapping during the “good” story not only reinforces the positive experience but can also gently release the underlying fear. In this way, addressing both the “good” and the “bad” moments provides a balanced and powerful healing effect.

And of course, we are all children at heart (even if some of us have gathered a few wrinkles). This process isn’t limited by age. Wouldn’t it be lovely if someone asked you about your “childhood stuff”? And even sweeter if you could release it, day by day? You might even exchange this gift with a friend—or offer it to yourself.

After all, it’s never too late to have a happy childhood.

Help your child discover the power of peace within.

**My book John Taps Away the Blues shows how tapping can turn tears into calm and confidence.**

Click Here To Get The Book