Mindfullness in Schools

What is Mindfulness? Mindfulness is a scientifically-based approach to developing focused attention and emotional regulation. Mindfulness means paying attention in the present moment to our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and our surrounding environment with out trying to change it, run or hide from it. Whatever arises, welcome it in.

“Mindfulness is paying attention to the here and now, with kindness and curiosity, so that you can choose your behavior.”

Amy Saltzman, MD

Why is Mindfulness important in schools? Schools give all children the opportunity to learn Mindfulness. Having a group of peers all sharing their unique experiences, helps create the sense that we are not alone and we are all one. Some known benefits of Mindfulness can be, increased attention/focus, cultivating resilience, emotional regulation, self-awareness, decreased test anxiety, and a deeper compassion for self and others, just to name a few. Teachers also benefit from taking a pause for their own health and well-being. Mindfulness creates space for both students and teachers to replace impulsive reactions with thoughtful responses.

As the work spins faster and faster and technology continues to grow and pull us into its web, mindfulness, resilience and being a focused learner will be crucial skills for all children.

Jayneen Sanders

How do Social Emotional Learning and Mindfulness work together? Mindfulness is an inside-out approach, whereas SEL is an outside-in approach. “The practices, skills and outcomes of mindfulness and SEL are largely complementary. Their commonalities make them good partners, while their differentiation suggests that one approach can profitably be integrated with the other. Mindfulness can support students in paying closer attention, enabling them to better learn academic content and SEL skills”, according to Mindful Schools a California based organization who is one of the key players in the movement to integrate mindfulness into the everyday learning environment of K-12 classrooms. Read the full article on the powerful synergy of SEL and Mindfulness. 

Our fast paced world has forgotten to take time to pause, notice, sense and feel. Children need to feel a sense of autonomy. Mindfulness offers an inquiry based practice where there is no right or wrong, rather just an observation with curiosity. As the Mindfulness muscle increases, the individual builds an awareness of what they need in the moment of challenge, adversity or even to acknowledge a moment of joy and happiness.

During the pandemic, I continued to bring the practices of Yoga and Mindfulness each week to the children either pre-recorded, virtually or in-person with mask on. During a time of uncertainty, uncomfortableness and challenge, maintaining the foundation of children’s internal and external awareness and cultivating resilience, were very important and needed more than ever

Currently teaching in the Hartland School district. If you would like to inquire how you can start a program at your school, please contact me.