It’s back-to-school time! Notebooks are ready, pencils sharpened, laptops fully charged (hey, we’re talking up-to-date Feng Shui here). Your kids are ready to learn!

But, when they head off to do their homework, are they walking into a room that will help them learn or into a room that will actually block the flow of knowledge?
In other words, does their bedroom get an “A” or an “F” in learning?

Here’s Master Peter Reiss’ Feng Shui Guide to a Learning Friendly Kid’s Room (K-4).

Getting In

First things first. If the door is blocked the ch’i or energy can’t get in. Studying without Ch’i in the room is like trying to read with the lights out. No matter how hard you try you won’t get very far in the book.

Clear out everything from behind the door. Hooks on the door? They’re invitations for piles of jackets. Hangers in the closet help keep space clear. (It’s also good to start early—hanging things up where they belong is a great life lesson.)

Placement

The best place for your child’s desk is in the Knowledge area of the room. We use the Bagua or energy map to determine the all the different areas but an easy way for now is to stand in the door looking in. Stand in the door looking in. The immediate left corner of the room is knowledge. If the door itself is in knowledge try centering the desk on the same wall (Career) or in the far left corner (Wealth).

Color

The Feng Shui Color for Knowledge and Wisdom is blue. Soft blue is a calming, supportive color for a child’s room. Soft green also works (think Spring and new growth). Raise the vibrational level for learning by adding blues of different shades and brightness. You can use sheets, furniture, art, but remember: not too bright. “Jangly” ch’i is not study ch’i. (And please, no red walls!)

Use Blue in the Knowledge to boost the ch’i level. Oh, and a blue study chair is a great idea, too.

Light

Light energy is Feng Shui Power. Make sure there’s plenty of clear bright light in the study area. It’ll help keep the study ch’i up and the sleepy ch’i down.

Adding a bright light near the Knowledge area will also be a boost. How about a blue lamp?

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous? That’s a good Feng Shui term for “all that stuff”. To create a proper environment to nurture that young mind the mantra should be “less is more”. Less stuff to move to create More room to spread out the home work projects. Less stuff to distract so there’s More concentration on the task at hand.
Less stuff to trip on as your son or daughter tries to find the desk while carrying More and More homework.

Remember, the more patterns and habits you establish now when the kids are little, the less you’ll have to battle as they grow.

Coming Next:Part 2: Feng Shui For Your Middle Schooler.

Coming Soon: Part 3: Feng Shui For Your High School Teen and Part 4: Feng Shui from College to the Empty Nest.

Want to use this article in your newsletter, blog or web site? You have my blessings as long as you include the following complete statement with it (including links). Please also write ©2009 Feng Shui by Peter Reiss.

Liked this article?—Then check out acclaimed Feng Shui Master Peter Reiss’ blog at http://FengShuiConsults.com. Want more tips? Sign up for Master Reiss’ Feng Shui Newsletter at http://FengShuiConsults.com and start out with Nine Tips in Nine Days: Simple Power Tips to Change Your Life.

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Want to help your child grow up happy, healthy, smart and balanced? Make sure they eat well, take their vitamins, and exercise. Of course you already do all of that. But have you taken a good look at their bedroom? What you do there can help your little one grow or it can hold your child back.

Here’s Master Peter Reiss’ Feng Shui Guide to Creating a Good Ch’i Child’s Room.

COLOR

In Feng Shui colors have multiple uses. Each color has its life area meaning and its own energy.

Intensity: Ch’i (energy) intensity varies as the color intensity changes.

A baby’s eyes need contrast, vivid colors and light to develop. Strong primary colors are important to have in baby’s environment. Toys and pictures are a great way to bring them in. What you don’t want is a primary color room.  Way too jangly ch’i!

Try a light off-white early on – good for contrast. Later go to soft blues or soft greens to create a calming environment.

WHAT? NO PRETTY PRINCESS PINK?!?!

Color Choice: In Feng Shui different colors have different energy “meanings.” Some are very appropriate for kids’ rooms, some very much not.

Good choices:

• Blue – Knowledge
• Green – New growth
• Yellow – Health

Not so good choices

• Red – Fire (very high intensity)
• Pink – Love & Marriage (more about this later)

You can always add accents of red, pink or any other colors. Use your artistic and design sensibilities. Just avoid doing the whole room that way.

SPACE, SIZE & PLACEMENT

Space Size:

In Feng Shui we look not only at the physical balance of the space and its contents, but also at the balance of the space to the person living there.

Rule of thumb:

Grown-ups big: big space

Kids small: smaller space

Try to create a protected environment. Cozy is a good goal.

Bed Size:

Remember as your child grows bigger in size, he or she is still a child. Bed sizes should progress from crib to youth to twin. (More about larger beds later)

Bed Placement:

So, where should you put that single bed in that small room? In a corner with head and side against a wall. The primal urge for safety is to retreat to the cave. Create that safe cave or den for your child. (More later about this too.)

STUFF

I know you were waiting for this one.

Many of today’s kids live in a permanent state of overwhelm. Help them maintain a personal space (their room) that is supporting balanced focus instead of adding to the chaos. (Be realistic, though. It’s a matter of degree. Some chaos is a normal state for most pre-teens and teens. Think back.)

Start the conversation early. Help your kids learn the difference about what they want and what they really need and will really use.

Try the Feng Shui In-Out Yin-Yang Clutter Preventer.

Of course, accumulating “stuff” is inevitable.  This creates the perfect opportunity to teach your little one how to make deposits in their Good Karma Bank Account.

Charity is one of the two most powerful ways to bring good things into your life (The other is education.)

When your son or daughter gets a new toy, help them pick out an older one that isn’t used anymore and bring it to a thrift shop. Show them how good giving can make you feel. (Hint – this works for adults, too. A good example is always the best teacher.)

Okay – here’s the “more later” I promised you.

A pink bedroom with a double or queen bed set-up to allow access from either side – this is an adult bedroom. It’s the wrong ch’i environment for your little girl. (Size and placement also applies to boys.)  Our job as parents is to encourage our kids to be kids.

Finally –

No matter how you set-up your baby’s room, the most powerful Feng Shui tool you have is…you. Give them your time and your attention, your support and encouragement, and, most importantly, your unconditional love. Now that’s good ch’i!

Want to use this article in your newsletter, blog or web site?

You have my blessings as long as you include the following complete statement with it (including links). Please also write ©2009 Feng Shui by Peter Reiss.

Liked this article?—Then check out acclaimed Feng Shui Master Peter Reiss’ blog at http://FengShuiConsults.com. Want more tips? Sign up for Master Reiss’ Feng Shui Newsletter at http://FengShuiConsults.com and start out with Nine Tips in Nine Days: Simple Power Tips to Change Your Life.

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Getting engaged? Whether it’s your first time down the aisle or your third, the bride is blushing and the diamonds should be sparkling.

Here’s the Feng Shui Master’s 5 Factor Guide to choosing just the right ring for your one and only true love.

#1 SHAPE

Looking with a Feng Shui Eye, diamond shapes come in three categories:

Not So Great

• Marquise – sharp points can mean prickly ch’i!
• Pear – a tear shape for happy love?
• Oval – is love a race?

Pretty good

• Princess – a shape of even balance, but watch those sharp corners!
• Round – love does make the world go round

Great Feng Shui

• Emerald – traditional, elegant with 8 sides*
• Asscher – a squared Emerald shape
• Radiant – a modern Emerald shape
• Old Miners – a rounded square – perfect balance

*The Bagua, the Feng Shui energy map that represents all facets of life is an octagon. Shouldn’t your ring reflect all of life, too?

#2 COLOR

In Feng Shui we use color energy to lift and enhance different aspects of life.

Feng Shui Love Power Colors:

• White – your future, children
• Pink – love, romance, partnership
• Red – fire, passion

The standard diamond is white and perfectly suited to bringing “future” energy to your ring. After all, isn’t that what an engagement ring is for? If you do want to add other color energies, use other gemstones, like red rubies for passion ch’i, to achieve the balance and intention in your heart. (There are natural red or pink diamonds but quality ones are very rare and very expensive.)

#3 STORY

The energy of the past carries into the present and on into the future.

A new diamond is like the proverbial blank slate; ready to absorb and hold your love ch’i. It’s when you’re looking at heirloom or estate pieces that “predecessor ch’i” becomes a factor. Just like the new ring will be imprinted with your energy, older pieces may carry the energy of past owners and past events. (There really are “cursed” diamonds.)

Family Heirlooms

Ask for the true stories and check into your true feelings. Did Grandma and Grandpa really have a wonderful marriage? If the answer is yes and you had a wonderful relationship with Grandma then go ahead. You can add another layer of love ch’i to an already blessed stone.

If the true story is not about love or you didn’t get along with her, ask yourself why you’d want to wear a ring weighted with dark feelings.

Estate Jewelry

All pre-owned pieces carry negative energy. Some are neutral or even positive. But unless you’re a good energy reader it would be wise to ask for help from a friend who is. You’ll have enough to deal with in married life without adding someone else’s “karma.”

(Disclosure: I bought Debra antique diamonds for both our 10th and 20th anniversaries. Of course, I took a deep look into the stones’ ch’i before deciding.)

#4 BALANCE

To choose wisely, keep logic and desire in balance.

Size, cut and clarity all impact price. Too high a price can put stress ch’i into the ring and into the relationship. Budget well, buy smart and that simple half carat will outshine all others.

Of course, what will really make it shine is Feng Shui Factor #5 –

#5 LOVE

Love really does make the world go round.

Do you believe in magic? Do you believe in love? No matter how big or how small, a diamond ring chosen in love and given in love can be a link between lovers; a love link will only grow as life happens.

Remember, in life and love it’s not really the shape or color or age or cost of your ring that has power. It’s your desire for one another and your hearts’ commitment to sharing the rest of your lives together.

Want to use this article in your newsletter, blog or web site? You have my blessings as long as you include the following complete statement with it (including links). Please also write ©2009 Feng Shui by Peter Reiss.

Liked this article?—Then check out acclaimed Feng Shui Master Peter Reiss’ blog at http://FengShuiConsults.com. Want more tips? Sign up for Master Reiss’ Feng Shui Newsletter at http://FengShuiConsults.com and start out with Nine Tips in Nine Days: Simple Power Tips to Change Your Life.

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