Mindfulness is a technique that aids a person to remain present and “in the moment.” In a busy world, it’s increasingly had to do but a worthy venture for any person no matter their age. Students and teachers alike can benefit from this practice not just in their personal life but the classroom as well. It not need be part of a curriculum; a teacher can adopt it as their teaching style without requiring approval from a board.
Benefits of Mindfulness
For a student, there are plenty of positive results from this practice. It includes increased attention in class, improved working memories, impulse control, reduced anger issues, better interpersonal relationships and social skills, improved self-esteem and mood, only to name a few.
Adoption of Mindfulness
There are simple activities to bring about mindfulness in a class. Before doing that, take the time to teach the theories and principles of mindfulness. Students are likely to adopt something they understand and perceive to be beneficial, especially outside the classroom. Given that humans are relationship oriented, understanding the relationship between the mind, body, emotion, and subsequently, action, makes us more aware that we are, quite literally, alive.
Mindfulness and Religion
Teachers need to be inclusive when adopting mindfulness in their classroom. Religion tends to be a factor that discourages more people to practice mindfulness. More inclusive language needs adopting for it to be a success. Focusing on the mind and consciousness instead of the soul and spirit means that everyone from all walks of faith can participate.
One can look for ways to draw similarities from their religion. Another way of presenting it is as a life skill like self-reflection and introversion; they aren’t religions practices per say but improve one’s life. As a life skill, mindfulness in some institutions is part of social, personal and health education. Just as students are taught relationships and legal matters, mental health is an equally important tool they can learn at an early age.
Including mindfulness into the curriculum need not be a complex affair. Five minutes of silence before a class, mindfully reading or even walking around the schools are simple ways to introduce this practice. When you present it as part of a school’s culture makes it more palatable, and they’ll see it as a roof tune up. There are plenty of books appealing to all ages that can aid in implementation.
Wrap-up
It, however,begins with the teacher. The facilitator ought to believe in and practice mindfulness outside of school hours. Parents can also be roped into to the practice- much of what happens in the household affects how well a child performs in school. It can be something they also take up at home.
