A November 16th article from Stuff.co.nz highlights the results of a pilot study by the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand showing a mindfulness in primary schools programme may have “improved students’ self-control, attentiveness, respect for other classmates and enhanced the school’s mood.”
The eight-week programme includes:
- “Week One: Coming Home: Introduction to mindful breathing – and mindful movements like ‘opening the curtains’, ‘the penguin’ and ‘seaweed’.
- Two: Happiness Here and Now: Exploring the difference in happiness – how material things offer a temporary boost, whereas actions create a sustainable sense of wellbeing. Encouraging children to foster friendships and be kind.
- Three: Everything for the First Time: Experiencing things freshly in each moment, helping students appreciate newness and things they often take for granted rather than getting stuck in unhelpful habits.
- Four: All things Rising and Falling: Exploring physical sensations in the body. By now, children are aware their breathing is always rising and falling. Now that’s extended to emotions and how emotional states are ‘triggered’.
- Five: Moving Still: Using a mind-jar (a glass jar filled with water and glitter) and engaging in the ‘neuron dance’, students learn about the brain and how mindfulness can settle a scattered mind.
- Six: Kind Heart, Happy Heart: Mindful breathing, sending kind thoughts and practising gratitude.
- Seven: Everything is Connected to Everything Else: Seeing the different connections between things and how being isolated and alone can be harmful.
- Eight: Touching Base, Touching stillness: Kids bring in an object that reminds them to practice mindfulness.”
