Mini Mindful Moments
- Amy Such
- Jan 9
- 3 min read
Mindfulness has become increasingly popular in schools over the past 15 years thanks to initiatives such as the Mindfulness In Schools Project (MiSP). Teachers, parents and researchers have repeatedly reported the benefits of a mindful practice including increased mental wellbeing, focus and concentration, self-esteem and self-regulation. Within a busy classroom, these are all vital skills to have in order to access learning and maintain relationships.
What is mindfulness?
Mindfulness means paying attention to what is happening 'in the moment', on purpose and without judgement. This is quite an abstract concept, so for children, we might simplify this to thinking about noticing our breathing, recognising how our bodies feel and paying attention to our senses.
How does mindfulness work?
Mindfulness works by helping the brain slow down and focus. When children feel stressed or upset, their brains can go into 'fight or flight' mode, and this makes it harder to think clearly, to listen or to learn.
Mindfulness helps to activate parts of the brain linked to attention, emotional control and decision-making. Over time, through regular practice, mindfulness can help children:
Notice emotions earlier
Calm themselves more quickly
Manage their response to emotional triggers
Why might we introduce mindfulness into schools?
Schools can be a busy, stressful places for children. Our learners face many demands including academic pressures and social challenges. These can result in children experiencing big emotions that they haven't yet learnt how to manage.
Studies show that children who practice mindfulness in school often show improved attention, better emotional regulation and fewer behaviour difficulties (Dunning et al., 2019, Schonert-Reichl et al., 2015, Zenner, Herrnleben-Kurz & Walach, 2014).
What does mindfulness look like?
Mindfulness doesn't have to be a full 30 minute meditation followed by a further 30 minute sound bath! It can be something as small as taking 3 minutes to breathe (an excellent example of this is the Three Minute Breathing Space - something I've often used to ground attendees at the start of a meeting).
In the classroom, there are lots of little activities that children can complete. Some of these may require resources (such as Milkshake Breathing) and you might like to present them as a whole class activity. Others don't need any extras (e.g. Finger Breathing) and can be shared with children as tools for their daily school toolkit.
Golden Thread Psychology has created a Mindful Moments resource to support you in bringing mindfulness into your classroom.
This consists of:
A poster - this can be displayed around the room and can be used to remind the children of their mindfulness tools on a day-to-day basis.
Mindfulness cards - print and slice across the gold dotted lines to create cards that could be stored in a child's work tray, den or safe space or sensory diet box, to act as prompts during moments where the child might be seeking a break.
Mindfulness keyring - broken down further, these emblems can be printed, laminated and attached to a keyring to be worn by the adult or child, as a non-verbal communication tool for bringing mindfulness into moments that might present as overwhelming.
Click below to download your pack!
A note of caution
Importantly, research suggests that mindfulness is safe and helpful for most children when taught appropriately and voluntarily. For some children (for example, those who have experienced trauma), the act of slowing the brain can be very painful and exposing. This is why any mindfulness practice should always be approached as optional, supported by nurturing, understanding adults who have a comprehensive knowledge of the children they are working with, as well as mindfulness as an approach.
If you would like more information about bringing mindfulness into your school, or you would like some help and guidance around supporting your learners' mindfulness practices, please get in touch via email hello@goldenthreadpsychology.co.uk or phone 01926 895588.
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