The positive benefits of teaching mindfulness to children have been proven across a number of studies. Incorporating mindfulness into everyday classroom activity is becoming more and more common. A five or ten-minute daily mindfulness practice can see students reduce stress and anxiety, increase concentration and engagement, sleep better, improve social skills, and develop problem-solving and decision-making skills.
All pupils have done a brilliant job this year incorporating mindfulness into their routines. We have been using the Calm App a lot to help us get into our mindful state for short but effective lessons.
Mindfulness is not only a popular topic for researchers and academics; it’s also becoming quite the mainstream phenomenon.
One of the reasons for the popularity of mindfulness is its simplicity. It is easy (relatively, anyway), inexpensive, and can be practiced by anyone at any time.
In Term 2 we have welcomed Nikki Roberts into our school each Monday through her work with the Family Resource Centre in Cahersiveen. Nikki is exploring her popular ” I Am” programme with the children.
The “I AM” course is a gentle and thought provoking course that offers the participant calm, relaxing and peaceful meditations through the use of self-soothing techniques and exercises to allow introspective and contemplative reflection.
“I AM” seamlessly integrates with both the Visual Arts and SPHE curriculum. The course considers how art, meditation and mindfulness can be used to manage stress, increase one’s ability to cope in challenging situations and build mental and emotional resilience. She is working with the children to become the best version of themselves and they are responding so well to her lessons.