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From the Outside In: An Introduction to Sharing Mindfulness with Children September 5, 2013 Sara Marlowe MSW, RSW, www.mindfulfamilies.ca. Listening. Warm-up Practices. ‘ Ball game ’ A positive / pleasant experience had today What I like to do on Saturdays / outdoors.. Etc.
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From the Outside In: An Introduction to Sharing Mindfulness with ChildrenSeptember 5, 2013Sara Marlowe MSW, RSW, www.mindfulfamilies.ca
Warm-up Practices • ‘Ball game’ • A positive / pleasant experience had today • What I like to do on Saturdays / outdoors.. Etc. • A special talent I have in my family • ‘Friendly’ mindfulness competition
“Compulsory mindfulness is an oxymoron.” -- Susan Kaiser-Greenland
“The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence.” -- Thich Nhat Hanh
Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgementally. Jon Kabat-Zinn
OR Knowing what we are doing, while we are doing it!
Movement • Sitting • Listening • Seeing • Touching • Nature • Art • Sports • Etc…
Benefits of Mindfulness • Stress reduction & wellness • Healthcare – pain, oncology, internal medicine • Mental Health • Artists • Parenting • Children • Education • Healthcare • Mental health
The Attitudinal Foundations of Mindfulness • Beginner’s mind • Non-judging • Non-striving • Patience • Acceptance • Trust • Letting be… • Compassion
Research has found… • Potential Benefits of Mindfulness for Children: • Build empathy & compassion • Manage stress • Gain self-knowledge • Increase in self-acceptance • Decrease in anxiety • Improve social skills • Improve school-related functioning • Improvement in executive functioning • Improvement in attention • (Greenberg & Harris, 2012)
Dan Siegel… “We can teach children that they are not the experiences they are having, and instead teach them to be in relationship to their experiences.” (2010) “If you can name it, you can tame it!”
Bringing Mindfulness to your Classroom Research shows (Meiklejohn et al., 2012)… • Students learn mindfulness in the classroom most effectively when taught directly by their teachers • If teachers want to bring mindfulness into their classrooms – best that they develop their own practice and pursue training • MBSR / mindfulness course • Retreats • Daily mindfulness practice • Community of Practice
Flook. et al., (2013) Found that educators: • who completed an 8-week MBSR course experienced less stress, more self-compassion and an increase in classroom organization. • who did not complete the MBSR course experienced more burnout and stress by the end of the school year
Mindfulness & Neuroscience
How can we Engage Children in Mindfulness Practice? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJG698U2Mvo
* Planting seeds* Experience before verbal explanation* Embodied teaching* Do activities that lead to experience of success* Follow children’s lead* Teacher’s role is of co-learner & guide* Imagery and visualization may be very useful* Ask lots of questions to make more vivid Considerations for Sharing Mindfulness with Children
Considerations Con’t * Invitation vs. behaviour management tool * Flexibility – willingness to change direction to meet where students they are at * Collaborative rather than competitive activities * Scaffolding - Age considerations * Parental engagement * Use movement… lots of movement * Be creative and have fun…
How to get started… • Cultivate / continue your own mindfulness practice • Attend workshops trainings specifically on how to teach mindfulness to children • Read and learn and read some more… • Form a practice group with others and set a set a regular time to meet to practice with CDs or or guiding each other
How to get started con’t… • Experience and practice any mindfulness • activities before bringing them to children • Practice leading exercises with other • mindfulness practitioners and get feedback • Be open to feedback – and attune to • responsess of participants
Some Quick Ways to Relax… • Deep breath – long exhales • Relax your tongue • Three-minute breathing space • Hand model of the brain • “Calm jar” • Take a time out • Observe your experience • Remember this is one moment – the next moment will be different
Developing the Positive Brain Three good things today & one thing YOU did that made them possible… REFLECT
Take Home Messages • Teach what you know… from your direct experience. • Mindfulness can be playful, fun & fit into current curricula
Expressing Gratitude • Journal • words or pictures • Calendar • add for each day • Mural • chalkboard wall / paper
References Beaudoin, M. & Zimmerman, J. (2011). Narrative therapy and interpersonal neurobiology: Revisiting classic practices, developing new emphases. Journal of Systemic Therapies, 30(1), 1-13. Burke, C. (2009). Mindfulness-based approaches with children and adolescents: A preliminary review of current research in an emergent field. Journal of Child & Family Studies, 19, 133-144. Flook, L., Goldberg, S., Pinger, L., Bonus, K., & Davidson, R. (2013). Mindfulness for teachers: A pilot study to assess effects on stress, burnout, and teaching efficacy. Mind, Brain & Education 17(3), 182-195. Greenberg, M. & Harris, A. (2012). Nurturing mindfulness in children and youth: Current state of research. Child Development Perspectives, 6(2), 161-166. Hawn Foundation. (2001). The MindUP Curriculum: Grades 6-8: Brain-Focused Strategies for Learning-and Living. Scholastic Teaching Resources. Kaiser Greenland, S. The Mindful Child. (2010).New York, NY: Free Press. Lantieri, L. (2008). Building emotional intelligence: techniques to cultivate inner strength in children. Boulder, CO: Sounds True Inc. Meiklejohn et al., (2012). Integrating Mindfulness Training into K-12 Education: Fostering the Resilience of Teachers and Students. Mindfulness. Rechtschaffen, D. & Cohen, J. (2010). Mindfulness & Yoga for children: Teacher training. Course Manual. Saltzman, A. (2008). Still quiet place: Practices for children & adolescents to discover peace & happiness. Course Manual.