"Mindfulness can be thought of as moment-to-moment, nonjudgmental awareness, cultivated by paying attention in a specific way, that is, in the present moment, and as non-reactively, as non-judgmentally, and as open-heartedly as possible."
Jon Kabat-Zinn
One of the most incredible things I have seen in my time working in the field of education is the acceptance of mindfulness as an essential skill that children should develop. The health benefits of mindfulness have been widely researched, and organizations such as Mindful School, based out of Oakland, have done a lot to further the mindfulness cause.
I began practicing mindfulness meditation when I was a public school teacher in Australia over seventeen years ago. I began exploring meditation as a way to be more present. I attended a meditation center, went on meditation retreats, and eventually taught mindfulness meditation in Sydney, Australia.
When I started practicing mindfulness meditation, I was reluctant to talk about it with my colleagues because I did not know anyone else who meditated. I also was concerned about what they would think. I spoke to my fourth and sixth-grade students about some of the simple practices that I experienced on the retreats I attended. By introducing simple mindful breathing and eating techniques, the students were able to be introduced to mindfulness in subtle yet powerful ways.
Fast forward nearly two decades, and I am amazed at how much mindfulness techniques continue to enhance my life. I feel such joy when I hear about how more and more schools are weaving mindfulness practices into their curriculum.
At Lake Forest Country Day School, I continue to integrate mindfulness into the routine of the students that I lead. During our weekly Lower School community gatherings. I lead a "mindful moment" where students, faculty, and parents simply place their hand on their belly and pay attention to their breath. Each time that I teach this skill, I marvel at how something so simple can make such a big difference.
For our students that have difficulty making good choices in the classroom, they can draw on their breath as a calming technique. For our parents who become frustrated at the end of the day when their children do not want to do their reading, they can quiet their mind by attending to their breath. For my faculty, they know that they are encouraged to take a moment to gather themselves so that they are not hijacked by their strong emotions on an off day.
This common practice allows our school community to care for themselves in a shared way. It has been one of the most positively commented on initiatives that I have led at the school. I believe, and research shows, that helping children (and adults) to become more aware of their emotions and patterns of behavior can have a profound effect on their wellbeing.
Although mindfulness is much more ubiquitous, it can still feel somewhat mystic and strange for many school leaders looking to become more informed. If you would like to learn more about mindfulness, I suggest you do three things.
Read The Miracle of Mindfulness: An Introduction to the Practice of Meditation by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh.
Develop your own mindfulness practice. An excellent way to start is by downloading and following the Headspace App.
Explore the resources on the Mindful Schools website. You will find many ways in which you can explore mindfulness in a manner that feels approachable for you and your school.