Here are 10 ways to practice Mindfulness in the classroom and in your daily life!
I began my mindfulness journey in 2014. In the beginning, my training was focused on mindfulness strategies to use in the classroom. Specifically, with students who were living in poverty or who have gone through trauma sensitive situations.
Since my first introduction to mindfulness. I now have taken a course with mindfulschools.org, and ventured towards making this a personal experience instead of a strategy that is only used in my classroom. I hope to continue learning about this topic, and sharing my knowledge and experiences with others!
Please note that mindfulness is a strategy that may not work for everyone, but has worked for me a great deal; personally and professionally. Below are strategies I have use and love! If you have any questions, please feel free to email me or leave a comment.
Mindfulness: Personally…
1. Mindfulness is about being non judgmental with yourself and others. This means not only in our daily actions, but also when we take a minute to pause and have a mindful moment. How do we have a mindful moment? Being non-judgmental is simply noticing when you get angry or stressed and acknowledging it, rather than being hard on yourself and making those emotions worse. It’s noticing that you may not have been fully engaged in a conversation with someone, and stopping what you are doing to be present in their conversation. I like to think of this when I am on my phone checking my social media or an email etc., and a family member,colleague or friend is needing my attention, meaning, I don’t actually know what they said to me because I wasn’t fully present during our interaction but rather my mind was trying to “multi-task”.
This is the easiest step towards mindfulness…being present. Or when a student is talking to you and you are trying to multi-task. Try stopping and making full eye contact in what they are saying. You will begin to be satisfied with all interactions. However, if you fail to do this…be non-judgmental! Meaning, notice you may not have been fully present, accept it and try again next time! We are only human!
2. A mindful moment is taking a minute to pause, be present and taking some deep breaths. I have started doing this while I teach. In between lessons when it is a transition period, I take 2-3 deep breaths and then begin. I seem to calm down and “re-charge” my brain for a new lesson. Sometimes I take deep breaths while driving, or before and after meetings etc. They are simple and I can do them while working at my desk and such.
3. I also use a FREE app called “Insight Timer”, which provides guided mindful moments (which I do before bed or in the morning), because that is when my mind races about teaching the most! All my ideas come to me then, or I analyze everything that happened through the day. This has helped me with sleep a great deal!
4. I also use a website called “calm.com” and this is FREE (with in-app purchases) and has wonderful calming music with various scenic backgrounds.
5. I also use aromatherapy, which can be done through essential oils or scents that giving you a feeling of calmness.
Mindfulness: in Education…
1. ClassDojo has helped me with this A LOT! They have excellent growth mindset and mindfulness lessons for kids.
2. For the younger ones, give them a stuffed animal and do “deep belly breathing”, which is when they have to breath in and out and watch their stuffed friend rise and fall. This settles their bodies before rest or a transition period!
3. Calm.com and GoNoodle also have wonderful resources for the classroom. They have excellent growth mindset and mindfulness lessons for kids!
4. I also do ABC Yoga! It is fun when my kinders learn a new letter, (really is for any lower elementary level) we do that yoga pose the whole week and breathe! I don’t know if this is for them or more for me! I love it!
5. The power of YET!…
Please also check out https://www.3marigolds.com/. Jenny Morrill is a main inspiration for why I began mindfulness. Her knowledge and mindfulness seminars are full of wonderful information!
Other mindfulness related posts:
I can't wait to read more about this!
I hope you enjoyed it!