Mindfulness
Why Mindfulness?
As we all try to navigate these new days as parents, we are encountering unique challenges. Our routines are altered, our plans adapted and our children a bit unsettled.
Our district understands the adversity students and parents are facing and we would like to support parents however we can.
One of the most effective paths is through a program called mindfulness. The goal of mindfulness is to assist in self-regulating our emotional state through maintaining a present moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, physical state, and surrounding environment with an attitude of curiosity, openness, and acceptance.
Mindfulness Sessions - Video
Parent University session (All Grades) -- January 18, 2022
Elementary
- Intro to Mindfulness/5 Finger Breathing
- Fun Ways to Use Your Breath in Mindfulness
- Using Your Breath as an Anchor in Mindfulness (Breathing Ball)
- More Fun Ways to Use Your Breath in Mindfulness
- How to Make and Use a Mindfulness Jar
- Seated Mindful Movement
- Heartfulness/Ice Breath
Intro to Mindfulness/5 Finger Breathing
Fun Ways to Use Your Breath in Mindfulness
Using Your Breath as an Anchor in Mindfulness (Breathing Ball)
More Fun Ways to Use Your Breath in Mindfulness
How to Make and Use a Mindfulness Jar
Seated Mindful Movement
Heartfulness/Ice Breath
Teens
Adult
- Intro to Mindfulness
- Responding to Fight, Flight, Freeze Response
- Visualization
- Mindfulness and Emotions/The Guest House
- The Mindfulness Anchor of Breath
- Open Awareness Mindfulness
Intro to Mindfulness
Responding to Fight, Flight, Freeze Response
Visualization
Mindfulness and Emotions/The Guest House
The Mindfulness Anchor of Breath
Open Awareness Mindfulness
Resources
Websites
Ted Talks
All It Takes Is 10 Mindful Minutes: Andy Puddicombe
Why Aren't We Teaching Mindfulness?: AnneMarie Rossi
Podcasts
10% Happier with Dan Harris
Apps
Calm (subscription needed)
Insight Timer (free)
Breathe (free)
Headspace (subscription needed)
Stop, Breathe & Think Kids (in-app purchases)
Recommended Books
Mindfulness for Beginners by Jon Kabat-Zinn
The Mindful Child by Susan Kaiser Greenland
The Mindful Teen by Dzung Vo M.D.
Happy Teachers Change the World by Thich Nhat Hanh
The Way of Mindful Education by Daniel Rechtschaffen
Recommended Childrens' Books
I Am Peace; A Book of Mindfulness by Susan Verde (ages 4-8)
Sitting Still Like a Frog; Mindfulness Exercises for Kids by Eline Snel (ages 5-12)
Breathe Like a Bear by Kira Willey (4-8)