Practical Mindfulness in Education: An Approach for a Mindful Classroom

Although mindfulness might seem like simply catch phrase or a trending topic in social media it is much more than 280 characters. The practice of Mindfulness is a set of strategies and practical tools that helps alleviate behavior issues, lessen student stress and frustration and bring a sense of community and cooperation to any classroom. When you embrace mindfulness, you are not so short tempered and easily angered. While you feel these emotions, you conquer them quickly and focus on how to change and grow rather than stew and become grounded in anger.

Mindful leaders create a calm atmosphere where everyone feels invested and part of something bigger. When students feel connected- mindfulness spreads. It is a haven, where every student has a voice, both heightened and recognized. It is an arena, where tackling issues and problem-solving is not fearful and hesitant, but exciting, reinforcing determination and personal responsibility. Here are some well-tested, effective mindful strategies that can be incorporated into any classroom.

●       Pause and breathe before tests (relaxation and focus breathing) - My students now ask to pause and get mindful. They share stories of how they use these practices to communicate better with their families, as well as themselves.

●       Mindful speech (think before we speak) -It is so important as educators to seek a mindful spirit, use positive language and think before we speak. This sets the tone for the class.

●       Intentional & purposeful listening- Have students sit up and lean forward to better focus and take command of their environment.

●       Eye contact -You can keep your classroom both positive and productive, if you acknowledge students by looking them in the eye and modeling this to your students.

●       Calm actions (walk and keeping hands to ourselves)- As a mindful teacher, you can anticipate any issue and be proactive when you stay in the zone of proximity.

●       Respond not react (use focused response, not quick, unfocused reaction - take 5 deep breaths before making a decision) - When we use mindful language and model cooperation, students have a sense of community. This leads to purposeful and more focused learning

●       Positivity and patience (focus on the Can’s and Do’s not the Can’t and Don’t) - When we lose our grasp at times -- when we can’t seem to be able to pause, breathe and focus -- we can become saturated with frustration and doubt. Mindfulness is about recognizing our next path. When we are calm and present as educators, students follow our lead. This is what we can do.

Why is mindfulness practical in education? When you smile and engage, even the grumpiest of people soften. Practiced mindfulness becomes a state of mind, a behavior engrained. Therefore, from the moment you greet your students at the door, the first day of school, it is critical that you empower them with the strategies and tools of mindful listening, thoughtful speech, kind interaction, attention to breathing and calm focus. It promotes personal obligation and engages the mind into a place of partnership and participation, which ultimately leads to an awareness of others and one’s own impact on the collective.

To some educators, Mindfulness is a myth, a fable only real in fairy tales. In my experience, it is worth every minute. After you implement these simple techniques, student grades will go up, behavior will improve, and students will begin to use these strategies more frequently at school and at home. At first, students will giggle and stare at you with doubt and annoyance. But, you need to keep doing it. Model it. Practice it at the beginning of class, during brain breaks and before tests. Then slowly but surely, students feel the benefits. You must be passionate about it to get your students to buy in and adopt it. Once they do, you will see them become more determined, centered and self-reliant. This point of convergence: focus, confidence and personal responsibility, leads to a more successful attitude.

Mindfulness practices are integral to personal growth. But they are also indispensable in a classroom. A mindful classroom is bustling and boisterous- energetic and purposeful. Students feel safe to take risks. They collaborate because they feel respected, and they learn because they enjoy the company and atmosphere. When students own their space, they fully commit to matriculation. There is optimism and motivation that together guide the flow of learning.

Mindfulness is not a solution. It is a strategy that when practiced and reinforced clears the fog and helps us see a safe route back to clear skies. If you let it, mindfulness erases any negativity, changing your outlook. This mindful outlook establishes a sense of pride in the classroom that allows students to thrive independently. But it also, creates a cohesiveness for learning that is immeasurable.