More than ever, it is essential to incorporate mindfulness instruction in the classroom. Our children are anxious and stressed. Parents and teachers experience stress and anxiety as well. Our lives are hectic, and we frequently find ourselves dwelling on the past or fretting about the future. We require mindfulness because it guides us to be in the present, relishing and taking in what is right in front of us.
Teachers are aware that when kids are at ease, safe, and relaxed, they learn more effectively. Imagine if we could give our kids the gift of mindfulness, which is the ability to use their breath and their mind to lead a healthy and happy life, in addition to the gift of self-improvement and the skills they need to grow up to be kind and successful people.
Mindfulness’s Beneficial Effects in the Classroom
The advantages of mindfulness have frequently been seen by teachers and students in the classroom. Here are two advantages provided by the Phd Dissertation Proposal Help service writer.
Increased Attention and Learning Capabilities
A study cited by Masters Dissertation Proposal Help service from Mindful Schools found that 83% of pupils who used mindfulness exercises in the classroom displayed improved focus. Additionally, mindfulness training in the classroom has been linked to better cognitive control in students, according to research by the American Psychological Association.
Improved Social and Emotional Capabilities
According to a study cited by Mindful Schools, 89% of students showed improved emotional regulation when mindfulness was used in the classroom. The study also found increased empathy and participation in the classroom.
4 Mindfulness Techniques
Teachers will also benefit from mindfulness because, as we all know, a happy teacher creates a happy learning environment. Here are four strategies for adding mindfulness to the curriculum and promoting calm in the classroom.
Breath-Based Mindfulness
We frequently inhale quickly into our chests when we’re stressed or anxious. It’s possible to use your breath to relax your body and mind by taking deep breaths into your belly. Put your left hand on your chest and your right hand on your stomach to practice mindful breathing. Feel the gentle rise and drop of your breath. When you breathe in, count to three. When you exhale, count to three again. If it’s more comfortable for you, close your eyes.
Try mindful breathing on your own first, then with your students. They can act as though they are inflating a balloon in their stomachs, or you can show the breath visually with a Hoberman Sphere. Throughout the course of the academic day, you can use this easy breathing technique to calm yourself down in challenging circumstances or during transitions.
Sensory Experiences for Mindfulness
Sensory experiences also assist children in focusing and relaxing. In the classroom, try listening to soothing music or other soothing sounds. You could also take the kids outside to listen to nature’s sounds. They could make mind jars or play “I Spy”.
With the help of their sense of smell, the kids in this activity are asked to identify items that have distinct, recognizable smells (such as cinnamon, cheese, flowers, or popcorn) that have been placed in jars. Ask your kids to shut their eyes, give each of them a cotton ball or a sponge, and then ask them to guess what they are holding to get them focused on their sense of touch. It’s great to have sensory tables with ice cube trays, sandboxes, water containers, or other themed decorations. Slime, Play-doh, clay, or shaving cream can all be used to promote imaginative play.
Guided Imagery for Mindfulness
Guided imagery fosters the development of children’s imaginations. It also aids in the integration of new knowledge with prior knowledge. If it’s comfortable for them to do so, ask your students to close their eyes as you slowly walk them through a hypothetical journey whenever you introduce a new topic in class. When studying the ocean, for instance, ask the students to picture themselves boarding submersibles and exploring the ocean floor in search of fish, animals, and trees.
After taking a few slow, deep breaths to end the guided relaxation, have the class discuss and then draw what they imagined. Depending on the topics of your curriculum, you might take them on make-believe excursions to outer space, the beach, the forest, or an uninhabited island. You might also take them on a safari or up a volcano. Encourage your kids to relax and recharge by taking them on adventures through relaxing stories.
Movement Promotes Mindfulness
Humans are born with the ability to move. Our distant ancestors either hunted for food or spent their days avoiding predators. Although it used to be a necessity for human existence, the movement has now become a luxury. By incorporating movement into your classroom, your students will be able to tap into their natural learning style. Yoga is a simple way to incorporate movement into your school day. Children can imitate their surroundings to improve their self-expression and confidence. They can do yoga from their chairs, the gym, or even outside. Using body movements that correspond to your class topic, once again, makes the motion meaningful and relevant to your students.
For instance, you could practice the Downward-Facing Dog Pose to represent a sheepdog, the Cat Pose to represent a lion, and the Extended Child’s Pose to represent a penguin (to be a turtle). To come up with yoga pose sequences your kids will adore, use yoga books or pose cards as a starting point.
Wrapping up
Students of all abilities and grade levels benefit from mindfulness in the classroom by becoming more focused and feeling less stressed. This chronic stress can last into the college years and cause academic disengagement as well as mental health issues (Leonard et al., 2015). Spend some time engaging in mindful teaching in the classroom to aid in the academic, emotional, and social development of your students. Because teachers are known as the epitome of knowledge since they are the source of education for students (bestassignmentwriter, 2022).
Consider starting one mindfulness exercise on your own. Once you’ve done that, present it to your students, tailoring the experience to fit their needs, even if it’s just for two to five minutes each day during breaks or transitions. Every week, month, or term you might try a new mindfulness exercise. Alternatively, you could just pick one concept (like mindful breathing) and practice it all year long. If you start teaching your students about mindfulness and meditation now, they will remember it for the rest of their lives.