Holistic/Somatic Psychotherapy
Social/Emotional Learning (SEL) and Mindfulness Training for Schools.
Social/Emotional Learning (SEL) and Mindfulness Training are the development of self-awareness, focus, compassion, and inter-personal skills that are necessary for school, work, and life success.
Mindfulness means maintaining a present-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, or surrounding environment. It also includes the intentional nurturing of positive states of mind such as kindness and compassion.
What Mindfulness Is Not: … a disciplinary tactic … only calmness and happiness … a silver bullet for everything that ails … the absence of thought … religion.
Why is mindfulness training right for my school and my classroom?
Mindfulness helps create space and replaces impulsive reactions with thoughtful responses. We know there is a correlation between the skills taught in SEL programs and academic achievement, positive behavior, and healthier life choices. Mindfulness curriculum (SEL learning) can be quite helpful if:
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Students are acting out, impulsive behaviors are common, and there is a lack of compassion among students or staff.
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Students demonstrate a lack of self-regulation. This means they are unable to handle stressors and interpersonal challenges with clarity and calm.
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Students lack the ability to control their attention. Of course it's normal for children to get distracted. However, when distraction and lack of focus become problematic, it is important that students learn how to focus and train the attention.
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School staff and administration also sometimes need help with communication, getting along with others, assertiveness, and problem-solving. These skills help school staff and administration build a healthy, supportive, and successful work environment.
How it all comes together in the classroom:
1) A 45 minute introduction to Mindfulness will be given to school staff and administration. This will include:
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Definition and background of mindfulness
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Summary of the work of Mindful Schools
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Benefits seen in children
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Demonstration of some of the lessons done with the kids so the adults get an experiential understanding of mindfulness
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Summary of research and neuroscience supporting mindfulness
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Description of the program and what it looks like in the classroom
2) Mindfulness Lessons for the classroom that will include:
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16 lessons in each class (visiting classes for 15 minutes 2x/week)
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Mindfulness bells for each class
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Mindfulness workbooks for each student
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A Classroom Teacher Manual for all teachers
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Three additional 30-minute teacher and staff trainings
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One additional 1 hr parent training.
3) Lesson Titles Include the following:
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Mindful Bodies
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Mindful Listening
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Mindfulness of Breathing
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Sending Kind Thoughts
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Body Awareness
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Generosity
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Mindful Seeing
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Mindful Movement & Walking
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Kind and Caring on the Playground
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Mindful Eating
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Mindfulness of Thoughts
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Gratitude
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Mindful Test Taking
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Mindfulness of Emotions
The benefits of mindfulness in schools:
For staff and students: SEL gives people—from childhood through the full life span—the tools they need to build and maintain positive relationships, control strong emotions, and express empathy.
Benefits of Mindfulness-supported by 30+ years of research and current neuroscience concerning adults, as well as a growing literature on youths:
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Cognitive Outcomes: Better focus and concentration. Improved attention and executive functioning.
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Social/Emotional Skills: Improved self regulation as well as compassionate attitudes and behavior. Greater social and emotional skills, including emotion regulation, behavior in school, and empathy.
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Well Being: Decreased stress, anxiety, and depression. Enhanced well-being, including lower test anxiety, stress, post-traumatic symptoms and depression.
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When kids are calm, and equipped with social-emotional skills, they’re better able to learn and contribute to a positive school climate.
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In general, children are not taught how to regulate emotions when encountering challenges, and certainly not when their buttons are pushed, or 'triggered.' Knowing how to handle stress is vital to personal and professional success.
