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Mindfulness in EducationOver the past decade, the practice of mindfulness has gained increased traction in schools. Field-tested, highly-adaptable curricula is rapidly becoming a fixture in classrooms across the US as well as other countries, benefiting students and educators alike.
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Mindful Students |
Students are told to “pay attention” countless times each school day, yet most have never been taught HOW to pay attention. Mindfulness develops the brain’s capacity to direct and re-direct awareness. This, in turn, empowers students to recognize various emotional states without being controlled by them—freeing them up to choose a skillful response rather than a knee-jerk reaction.
Outcomes of mindfulness interventions with students include:
While the body of research on mindfulness in youth is not yet as developed as it is for adult populations, initial studies are promising. Click here for a great sampling of research on the Mindful Schools website. |
Mindful Educators |
The multitude of stresses on teachers leads to frustration, disillusionment, and burnout at an alarming rate (one half million teachers leave the profession each year!). Regular mindfulness practice creates opportunities for educators to cope more effectively with stress and re-connect with the values and ideals that attracted them to the field in the first place. The presence in the classroom of a teacher at peace with him- or herself can have a profound impact on students as well.
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