How Do We Implement Mindfulness in Schools?

Here are some recommendations for implementing mindfulness in your own school:

• Build consistency and school-wide buy-in.
  
  Make time for staff and students to learn about the theory and science behind mindfulness, so students know how to talk about mindfulness and understand its purpose. Creating consistent space for mindfulness practice in the school day can positively affect the entire school culture, emphasizing acceptance, self-care, and empathy.
  ‍
  ‍
• Provide teachers with dedicated time to engage in mindfulness practice themselves.
  
  In order to help students reap benefits, teachers also need time and support in adopting it. Research has also shown mindfulness to be helpful to teachers, improving their own emotional wellbeing, helping them understand student perspective, and freeing them up to be more effective in the classroom.
  ‍
  ‍
• Allow students to make their own time for mindfulness.
  
  Encourage students’ awareness of their own emotions by allowing and encouraging them to identify times when they can use and practice mindfulness. In order to adopt mindfulness as a tool for mental health and happiness, students have to have the space and time to practice it.

‍

Mindfulness works well within the classroom. A practical approach is to first develop teachers’ competencies in classroom management. Encourage professional development or learning circles and have teachers hold conversations among themselves on  how they can bring mindfulness to the classroom. Let them pen their reflections based on their experiences in the classroom and how they responded to difficult situations.

Mindfulness in Class and during Co-curricular Activities: Integrate mindfulness sessions into the co-curricular activities of the school. Conduct mindfulness sessions in the classrooms using online videos and send frequent reminders on using relaxation techniques during form teachers’ time. Conduct mindful walking sessions with students and let students connect with nature and their inner being.

Mindful Eating:  Mindful eating is a powerful tool to help overweight students gain control of their eating habits and reduce binge eating. During cohort breakfasts, have students focus on their food and themselves and be in the present moment when they were eating. Teach students the harm caused to the environment through food wastage and how everyone must do their part by eating mindfully and only eating what they need.

Mindfulness Workshops for Graduating Students: Conduct mindfulness workshops for graduating students to help promote their physical, mental and emotional health especially during the most challenging year of their school life, to manage their well-being and handle examination stress.

Mindful Minutes: Mindful minutes involves intentionally setting aside five minutes each morning to practice simple breathing exercises as a whole school. Focused breathing regulates the breath, stress, anxiety and in turns manages our emotions.  It is very important to start the day right with a routine to have a clear and calm mind. This allows the students to be refreshed and energized for the day.

Mindful Drawing: Mindful drawing is a great way to practice mindfulness as it involves observation, focus, being in the present moment and settling the mind. Bring in specialists to facilitate the use of art therapy with both teachers and students to calm our mind and void our mind of distraction and clutter. Art is also a great way to express our emotions and feelings and enhance self-awareness and contribute to a collective collage.

‍

The content above is summarized from some of the feature articles on this website.