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Mindfulness in the Classroom

Research Highlights for the ED2 Teacher Leaders Mindfulness Day

Why?

Mindfulness is paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, nonjudgmentally. – Jon Kabat-Zinn

Why might you want students to: Pay attention on purpose? Be in the present moment? Be nonjudgmental?

Impacts of Mindfulness

Strong body and boosted immune system

Positive mind and emotions; reduced stress

Better brain (learning, memory, empathy)

Improved focus

Increased compassion and altruism

Stronger relationships http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/resources/studies

Impacts of Mindfulness cont.

http://www.eomega.org/workshops/mindfulness-in-education-teacher-training-0#-workshop-description-block

Research shows that mindfulness practices can: decrease stress, anxiety, and depression in

children improve emotional regulation, ability to focus,

and social relations teach students how to “pay attention” instead

of just telling them to do it

One literature review (Meiklejohn et al. 2012)

Teacher training in mindfulness skills can increase teachers’ sense of efficacy and wellbeing, improve classroom management skills, and help maintain supportive relationships with students.

Six elementary studies and eight high school studies show that training students in mindfulness helps their working memory, attention, social skills, academic skills, emotional regulation, and self esteem. Students report improved mood and decreased anxiety and fatigue.

Mindfulness in Science Education

Most studies at university level so far

The Listening Place article (Piersol, 2014) outlines interviews and findings with 8 adults regarding “listening to place and strengthening ecological relations”: Forming trust and “surrendering” to local places Shifting into new senses of time/seasons Seeking quiet spaces Whole body immersion into a place Unique tools for wandering and wondering Sharing places with others

Teaching Practices of Mindful Teachers (Sherretz, 2011)

A process, rather than response, orientation – more student engagement

Multiple paths to an answer (not right/wrong)

An emphasis on the fun of learning

Giving students choices

Elaboration of thinking through questioning and modeling metacognitive strategies

Mindful Teachers

To teach mindfully we need to be mindful. There’s no way around it. If you are a parent, teacher, therapist, or anyone else with children in your life, then the greatest gift you can give to them is your authentic presence. http://danielrechtschaffen.com/mindful-education/

CARE Program

How Do Teachers Develop Their Own Mindfulness?

5-10 minutes of meditation or other mindful activity a day (gratefulness; mindful walking or journaling) What activities from this morning could you incorporate? Mindful Mornings: Find a colleague or several who want to

spend 10 minutes mindfully together each morning

Check The Tree of Contemplative Practices diagram for activities you already do or could try

Check the ASCD Education Update: The Mindful Educator for several ideas

What are Teachers Doing in Their Classrooms?

Teaching specific mindfulness skills to students (meditation, breathwork, mindful listening)

Links from ASCD Mindful Educator Update

“Brain breaks” using sites like Go Noodle that introduce singing and stretching throughout the day

Having a “peace corner” in your classroom that is quiet and soothing with soft places to sit, tactile objects, or quiet music

Using classroom meetings, peer mediation, or other collaborative and democratic models of decision making and peace making (e.g. Take Ten)

What do you need to consider?

Patricia Jennings (2013) gives 5 guidelines for introducing mindfulness into education: Recognize that this is different than the current focus on

content/standards/tests and be realistic and respectful of current realities, including parents’ spiritual values

Build a strong evidence base and know the research Understand developmentally appropriate practices Integrate mindfulness into the existing curriculum Engage teachers, parents and administrators in

practicing mindfulness

Discussion

Responses to research

Personal responses from your own experience

Sara’s encouragement: Contemplative and mindful practices have changed my life, teaching and relationships in many positive ways. Mindfulness is a necessary balance to our technology-driven, multi-tasking, often impersonal world.