Top Tips for Developing Mindfulness in the Classroom

GUEST POST BY TAMMIE PRINCE @Ed_Tmprince 

​The UK government document, Mental Health and Behaviour in Schools, outlines that one in ten children and young people has a clinically diagnosed mental health disorder. It goes on to explain that one in seven children have a less severe mental health problem.  A key point that is made is that in order for children to be successful, the school needs to play a role in the development of their resilience and mental health.
The development of mindfulness in the classroom arms our children with the needed life-long skills that support their current and future mental health and wellbeing.

What is mindfulness?

​Mindfulness can be defined as the mental state achieved by focusing on the present moment while also accepting our feelings, thoughts and bodily sensations.
We have all witnessed children exhibiting the signs of stress.  They do not have the skills to cope with situations that seem to be beyond their control and show frustration in a variety of ways. Sometimes it is crying, temper tantrums and angry outbursts. Other times they are withdrawn, quiet and nonresponsive.
Mindfulness gives children the strategies to cope. Studies have shown that childhood mindfulness development has numerous positive benefits.  Some include stress relief, mental focus, discovering life balance, deepening social skills, better sleep, greater self-esteem, emotion control, improved decision-making skills and development of mathematical skills. 

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Top 5 Beginner Mindfulness Strategies for Children

1. Developing your own mindfulness can happen at the same time as you develop the children’s mindfulness.  But, be an active participant in mindfulness. Once you take part in the practice, you will feel the benefits and you will become a calmer teacher as well.  A happy teacher leads to a happy class.
2. Be clear about the strategies you are teaching the children, why they are important and how they can help them now and in the future. Encourage them to use them independently and praise the use when seen.
3. Make mindfulness part of the everyday schedule of the class.  It needn’t be an add-on once the strategy is taught. Make it part of the regular day, particularly as a way of calming the class during transition times. Remember, however, that every strategy will not work with every child and that is okay.
4. It is important that everyone who works in your classroom and with your children know about your use of mindfulness strategies so they can encourage and model mindfulness throughout the day and not just at specific times.
5. Ensure you have access to some meditation music that you like and use it often through the day and when doing mindfulness strategies, if appropriate.

Deep Breathing

Deep, controlled breathing tricks the mind into thinking it is relaxed and is a simple strategy to use.

• Inhale for a count of 5
• Pause for a count of one 
• Exhale for a count of 8
  

​Repeat as desired.

Mantras

​Begin each day with a combination of deep breathing and a positive mantra of the day or week.
While playing soft meditation music, have the children begin a simple deep breathing meditation. On the exhale they repeat the chosen mantra.  Repeat at least five times.
Examples of possible mantras:

• Today I am strong. Today I am happy. Today I am confident.
• I am good.
• I am at peace.
• I am loved.

Mindful Listening

Help children to focus on the present moment by using a bell or musical triangle for this simple strategy.

• The children are to sit comfortably and close their eyes.
• Take a few cleansing belly breaths to help relax.
• Explain to them they are to listen to the bell and when they stop hearing the sound, they are to give you a signal; raising a hand, putting head down, etc.
• To round it off, talk the children through a couple of belly breaths and then begin the lesson.

Mindful Colouring

Research shows that colouring allows the brain to relax and focus on one thing; colouring. 10 minutes of quiet colouring while soft meditative music plays in the background helps to slow the breathing to a calmer state, helps to relax the shoulders and brings peace to the moment. Research also shows that mindful colouring following the learning of a difficult skill or topic supports the retention of the lesson material.

Body Scan

A quick scan helps children bring awareness to how they are feeling without judgment and allows them to remove focus from what is causing stress.

1. Have the children either sit comfortably with their hands in their lap or lie down with their arms to their sides.
2. Have them take a deep mindful breath (Idea 1) 
3. Direct them to become aware of their body in a gentle voice and then instruct them to slowly move their awareness noticing the different sensations from their: Head, Face, Neck, Chest, Arms, Hands, Fingers, Torso, Legs, Feet, Toes 
4. Remind them not to judge the sensations. Just accept that they are there.
5. Have the children remain at rest for a few more deep breaths, being aware of your body breathing.

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Guest Author: Tammie Prince 

Tammie has been an educator for 25+ with experience in two countries, UK and USA. She is currently a Headteacher of a primary school, a National Leader of Education and the author of the Bloomsbury Education book, 100 Ideas for Primary Teachers: Mindfulness in the Classroom, being published in October 2017.  Tammie is an active blogger (check it out here), sharing mindfulness ideas for the classroom and for the adults that teach them to support mental health and well-being.  You can follow her on Twitter and on Facebook.