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Experts agree that when children get about 60 minutes of movement a day, they enjoy improved physical and mental health and academic performance. Unfortunately, the latest statistics show most kids in the United States get nowhere near that goal, missing out on the benefits of physical activity.

Teachers can help improve those statistics. They occupy a unique position of influence in a child's life. By getting their students moving while building a positive learning environment and teaching valuable life skills, educators can inspire their students to exercise in the classroom and live active healthier lives.

Teachers can learn how to incorporate physical activity and social-emotional learning opportunities into the classroom with the Social Emotional Learning Through Sports and Physical Education course from Fresno Pacific University. Participants in the course explore many physical activity opportunities available to their students and encourage a less sedentary lifestyle.

"Educators should take this course because Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is critically important in today's schools and classrooms," said Bill Cockerham, Ph.D., the course instructor. "This is also true for the athletic field or physical education gymnasium. Students will learn how to create and support an environment that promotes SEL principles."

With the course, teachers also earn professional development credits applicable to earning a Social Emotional Learning certificate .

The Lack of Physical Activity Is Growing

According to the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), experts estimate less than 24% of children between the ages of six and 17 in the United States participate in 60 minutes of physical activity per day.

At school, time spent in physical education has been reduced in recent years, and some activities are no longer done out of safety concerns. The CDC reports that in 2017, only 51.7% of high school students attended physical education classes in an average week, and only 29.9% did so daily.

Those are important issues to address because routine physical activity is tied to so many good health outcomes.

The Benefits of Physical Activity

Getting active and moving more during the day helps students in a variety of ways.

Physical Benefits

In a guide for classrooms, the CDC that regular physical activity helps children maintain cardiorespiratory fitness, build strong bones and muscles and control weight. It also can reduce the risk of developing heart conditions, cancer, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity.

Mental Health Benefits

The benefits of physical activity don't stop with physical health. According to the CDC, getting more active can also help children better control their anxiety and depression, as well as increase self-esteem. Studies also have shown that routine exercise proves especially beneficial for students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, including an association with reduced use of medications.

Learning Benefits

Physical activity also leads to better students. When they routinely exercise, the CDC reports that students in the classroom

Improve concentration and ability to stay on-task in the classroom

Reduce disruptive behavior, such as fidgeting

Improve their motivation and engagement in the learning process

Improve their academic performance, getting higher grades and test scores.

What Teachers Can Do

Teachers can find many resources through the CDC and online sites created by teachers that offer strategies to get kids moving in class . Some of these ideas include

Movement-based learning stations. Students stand, walk and move around at these stations while learning.

Ball-toss spelling. Students toss a ball to each other for each letter in a word.

Morning Motion Movement. Integrating a series of light exercises into the morning routine, such as yoga or Pilates

Nature Walks

Creative workstations. These desks offer students the ability to move, including desks with pedal stations or seats that swivel.

The CDC, SHAPE America, the National Academy of Medicine and other national organizations also offer advice for schools in helping children reach 60 minutes of physical activity every day. They include these guidelines.

Do not replace physical education/recess with classroom physical activity

Integrate physical activity into planned academic instruction to reinforce academic concepts

Provide physical activity, such as physical activity breaks, outside of planned academic instruction

Ensure that barriers to classroom physical activity, such as lack of equipment or available space, are minimized

Do not withhold classroom physical activity from students as a disciplinary approach

Physical activities should include all students, regardless of ability

Tying Physical Activity to Social-Emotional Learning

While the FPU course provides teachers with ideas on engaging activities to get students moving, it also gives them strategies to help students build SEL skills.

These skills set students up for life-long success. They include developing a growth mindset, honing the ability to focus, regulating emotions, setting goals and learning the importance of preparation and practice.

Teachers also learn SHAPE America's national standards and grade-level outcomes for K-12 physical education that define what is considered a "physically literate" student. Those standards include exhibiting responsible personal and social behavior that respects self and others, a centerpiece of SEL.

Other standards include competency in various motor skills and movement patterns; applying knowledge of concepts, principles, strategies and tactics related to movement and performance. Taken together, these competencies demonstrate the knowledge and skills to achieve and maintain a health-enhancing level of physical activity and fitness.

Cockerham noted that Fresno Pacific University's professional development courses allow teachers to "implement what you learn in your course today into your classroom tomorrow." The course offers teachers the chance to learn stress-reduction techniques for both themselves and their students.

Other courses that address physical activity include teaching Lifetime Fitness, Active Bodies, Healthy Minds and Walking For Fitness.

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The Benefits of Physical Activity and Exercise in the Classroom

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The benefits of physical activity for children are many, including enhanced academic performance and improved physical, mental and emotional health.

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Efficiency in Learning

The hippocampus needs time to process information because it is partially responsible for short-term memory and navigation

As students return to the content, the brain is able to refocus

Movement helps to develop social skills, which are important for connecting to comprehension and critical thinking skills

Realigning the body/brain connection helps re-energize learning

Stress Relief, Mood Elevation and Social Perks

If students are uncomfortable or stressed the brain will not retain new information easily, especially when critical thinking skills are being relied upon or the student is needing to connect new information to their personal experiences, prior knowledge or abstract thought

Student-to-student and student-to-teacher relationships are a key component in successful learning - Research has shown that fun, safe environments where students are kind and supportive of one another equate to more academic success

There is much less physical movement in modern day life, especially for children when P.E. and recesses are being reduced to focus more on academic achievement

Our best ideas often come when we are having a break

You may reduce feelings of being overwhelmed by the content

Class Cohesion

Heightens the student's attendance and participation in class

Builds relationships and overall concern for the well-being of others

Develops self-esteem and a sense of belonging

Boosts listening skills and communication

Promotes laughter and fun while learning

Improves self-discipline and motivation

The Role of Oxygen in Learning

Approximately 90% of the oxygen in our body and brain is stale until we take a deep breath, yawn, get up or move our bodies

Lack of oxygen results in confusion, lack of focus and memory problems

The movements themselves can be very brief and simple. Thirty-seconds to two-minutes is enough time to make all of this magic happen. Some examples of simple breaks are bending over at the waist and touching the toes, marching in place, walking the class around the room, squatting five times, jumping jacks, moving a piece of paper in a figure 8 motion around and between the legs, or clapping loudly and quietly at given intervals. Teachers can pass papers out by playfully throwing the paper in the air so students have to get up and move. Before peer editing work or correcting each other's math quizzes, students can crumple up their work into a ball and the class can have a one minute 'snowball fight' and when the teacher says "freeze," all the students pick up a paper near them, flatten it out and then correct it. The ideas can be functional as well as fun.

In learning environments where movement is integrated, students love being there, they academically perform better, and the information needs less review because students retain the content more efficiently. A creative teacher will start to see endless ways to bring more excitement into their lessons and the students will love them for it. Let us know some of your best ideas, if you come up with some winners.

Alright, now let's get moving and learning!

Read our upcoming blog posts for some examples of more complex movement breaks in the next few weeks!

At the Literacy and Language Center, Inc. we believe that movement is an essential tool for every student. We work with students using a student-centered approach and positive language reinforcement that augment our multisensory programs. We create a customized program for each student to meet their unique needs and to address academic weaknesses while honoring the student's strengths. Give us a call if you'd like to know more about our services.

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The Benefits of Movement in the Classroom

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The hippocampus needs time to process information because it is partially responsible for short-term memory and navigation As students return to the content, the brain is able to refocus Movement helps to develop social skills, which are important for connecting to comprehension and critical thinking skills Realigning the body/brain connection

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Physical Education (PE) isn't the only class that should emphasize movement! Whatever the grade or subject area, every teacher can effectively incorporate movement into the school day. Most students take fewer than 5,000 steps during a non-PE school day. (That's including one recess!) Health experts recommend at least 10,000 steps or 60 minutes of physical activity a day.

Adding physical activity to classrooms will result in more focused, better-behaved students who can accomplish even more throughout the school day.

Physical Activity Improves Academics and Social-Emotional Well-Being

It should go without saying that movement is good for us. Emerging research suggests that more physical education, recess, and physical activity can improve academic achievement (CDC, 2015). Physical activity in the classroom has been shown to increase cognition, memory, and recall.

Increases in daily physical activity are also positively associated with socialemotional aspects of learning such as mood, behavior, and stress level.

A Classroom Culture

Most teachers already implement sensory or movement breaks, which are a great start.

Examples of effective movement breaks can be found at www.GoNoodle.com and www.brain-breaks.com. Once physical activity is woven into the daily routine, it can become part of the classroom culture. Students and teachers will feel the positive effects of being active.

Lead by example! Let students see you enjoy moving in the classroom throughout the day.

Simple Strategies for More Movement in the Classroom

Don't just sit around: When students need to be seated, consider seating such as physio-balls, balance discs, or ergonomic stools. Standard desks can also be modified for movement by using resistance bands or rubber bands around the legs of the desk to use as a wiggle bar.

Stand up: When convenient, students can use standing desks or stations).The act of standing burns more calories and expends more energy.

It also increases blood flow, oxygen uptake, and muscular fitness.

Walk and talk: When students work in pairs, why not walk and talk? Teachers can encourage movement through walking in the classroom and the school building as space allows.

Keep count: When students arrive at school, keep count of their steps using inexpensive pedometers or phones (for older students). Tracking steps is motivating and can be incorporated into the classroom and reinforced at home. Help students set goals, track steps, crunch numbers, chart progress, and more.

Take it outside: Students enjoy the change of scenery and benefit from fresh air.

Outdoor space allows for plenty of gross motor movement. Physical activity should become an expectation during the school day.

If teachers appreciate the connection between exercise and learning, students will too.
Lynn Pantuosco-Hensch is a professor in the Movement Science, Sport, and Leisure Studies Department at Westfield State University.

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Making Movement a Part of Your Classroom Culture | NEA

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Physical Education (PE) isn't the only class that should emphasize movement! Whatever the grade or subject area, every teacher can effectively incorporate movement into the school day. Most students take fewer than 5,000 steps during a non-PE school day. (That's including one recess!)

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https://www.edutopia.org/blog/move-body-grow-brain-donna-wilson

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Edutopia is a free source of information, inspiration, and practical strategies for learning and teaching in preK-12 education. We are published by the George Lucas Educational Foundation, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization.

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https://www.teacherlists.com/blog/15-ways-to-get-kids-moving-in-the-classroom/

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https://www.weareteachers.com/mindfulness-activities-for-kids/

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Elizabeth Mulvahill, B.A., Certified Teacher

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63 Simple Mindfulness Activities for the Classroom

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Help your students build the lifelong skills they need.

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https://www.edutopia.org/article/4-ways-get-students-moving-class/

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Build students' sense of engagement by incorporating activities that get them out of their seats to work with course content.

©Alamy Stock Photo/Photo Alto

For a high school English teacher, it seems as though every time of day has a reason why students may feel more tired, lethargic, or less engaged: It's the morning, or it's right before their break, or it's after lunch, or the school day is almost over. And I don't disagree-learning and school can be demanding, exhausting, and not always entertaining.

But adding more movement and discussion into the classroom can awaken your students' interests, passion, and sense of community. While getting students out of their seats may be intimidating for some of us, or seem chaotic, there are so many strategies that are easy to implement, and you will surely see the difference in your students' energy levels.

Four Corner Discussions

Replace anticipation guides with a classroom four corner discussion. Before reading a text or at the beginning of your new unit, come up with a few debatable statements that are relevant to what you are learning. For example, here are a couple of statements I use with my ninth-grade students as we read Romeo and Juliet: "True love can conquer all problems," and, "Our lives are governed by fate," among others that are relevant to the text. Then, I divide the room into four different corners: Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree, and Strongly Disagree. Make sure to label these corners of the room to make this activity easier.

After announcing a statement, have students stand still for a few moments so they can think about their position and then tell them to move to the corner of the room where they can discuss their position with like-minded peers. After giving two to four minutes of small group discussion time, pause their conversations and have a short whole-class discussion with representatives from all sides. Then move on to the next statement. This increases movement while students practice their speaking and listening skills, along with their academic language.

Gallery walks are a commonly used strategy in the classroom to get students to walk around the room and interpret or analyze different materials displayed on desks or walls. Perhaps you are a history teacher and you want students to observe several primary sources, or maybe you are an English teacher who wants to expose students to a variety of poems or short stories. You don't have to stick to words-students can observe, discuss, and reflect on images as well.

Gallery walks are relatively easy to prepare for, while getting students out of their seats and engaging with content. This activity allows for higher exposure to your content, which is a great way to front-load a topic or to have students dig deeper. Recently, my students did a gallery walk to observe and discuss a variety of political cartoons, poems, and articles all around the unit theme of Power and Oppression.

Depending on your class size, you may want to post or display five to 10 artifacts that you would like students to interact with. Allow students to walk freely with a partner or a group to the different artifacts and either have a small-group discussion or write down their answers for you to review later on.

Silent Discussion Boards

Another way to increase movement and collaboration is through silent discussion boards. Around the room, put up poster paper or butcher paper, each with a question written on it. The questions should be open-ended and relevant to the topic you are currently teaching. Have students silently walk around the room and write their answers on the poster paper. They are able to walk freely and should write on each poster paper more than once.

As the conversations grow, students are essentially creating a collaborative mind map with their peers. They can stem off each other's statements and ask their own questions, or respond to another classmate's ideas. As they return to the different discussion boards, they can see how each conversation has grown and evolved.

This activity is particularly empowering for more introverted students who may otherwise not feel as confident about sharing their opinions.

This activity can be used as a community builder or as a way for students to further discuss a topic or concept from your classroom. As you play music, the students walk around the classroom. Once the music stops, they find the closest person to them. Ask a question that they discuss with their partner. This could be get-to-know-you questions like what their favorite TV show is or a content-related question for them to explore together.

You can instead ask the question before starting the music to give students more thinking time and to alleviate any anxiety that students may feel about talking to others.

This is a fun activity to get students moving and socializing with students in the class that they otherwise may not interact with much. It also takes out the awkward panicked feeling of a student needing to find a partner for an assignment.

These four activities are simple, easy ways to awaken your class and increase engagement. Having students moving and talking not only builds important social and public speaking skills but also adds some fun to the learning environment that empowers and engages learners.

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Build students' sense of engagement by incorporating activities that get them out of their seats to work with course content.

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https://www.waterford.org/education/mindfulness-in-schools/

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One of the best ways to prepare your students for a rich school career is by teaching them social-emotional skills. Mindfulness activities are a simple, enjoyable way for everyone from young children to older students to learn these skills. Rooted in Eastern spirituality and psychological research, mindfulness is proven to transform our brains in a way that leads to better grades and coping skills.

But the benefits of mindfulness in schools extend to educators, too. Stressed teachers often feel overwhelmed and ineffective in classroom management. But by practicing mindfulness, teachers can learn emotional regulation techniques that change the way they view their jobs and interact with their students. Both their psychological health and classroom environment improve by practicing mindfulness.

How can you use the benefits of mindfulness to your school's advantage? Read on to learn what mindfulness is and how it changes the way our brains respond to stressful situations. Then, find tips for implementing mindfulness activities with your students and as an educator.

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is a practice that originates from Buddhist philosophy, and it has been used as a calming technique for centuries.[1] In the twentieth-century, psychologists began using meditation and mindfulness to treat disorders like depression and anxiety. They found that patients who completed mindfulness programs were better equipped to handle challenges in their daily lives.[2] Educators have recently begun to apply mindful principles to address the emotional needs of students and have seen profound results so far.

But what does "mindful" mean, and how can you use mindfulness in the classroom? Mindfulness refers to the process of focusing your attention in the present. It involves a moment-by-moment awareness of sensations, thoughts, and feelings that you experience. The idea of a mindful mindset is to help ground yourself in your surroundings while dealing with stressful or overwhelming experiences.

One of the most important components of mindfulness is not only awareness but an attitude of acceptance and curiosity towards your thoughts and emotions.[3] Mindfulness activities can help you find the roots behind stress, anxiety, or other negative feelings. By recognizing these feelings for what they are and accepting them, you can better overcome psychological distress. Anyone, from children to adults, can find a greater peace of mind through mindfulness techniques.

In terms of curriculum, mindfulness falls under the umbrella of social-emotional learning (SEL). While schools traditionally focus on academic instruction, social-emotional development is just as crucial for student success. According to a meta-analysis of 207 studies, classroom SEL programs can result in an 11% increase in academic achievement, 25% improvement in social skills, and 10% decrease in misbehavior or mental health issues.[4] Mindfulness can be a fun, effective way for teachers to help students develop these skills.

Why Mindfulness Techniques Can Retrain Your Brain

To understand why mindfulness can significantly relieve student stress, it's important to recognize the cognitive science behind mindfulness and anxiety. According to brain imaging reports, practicing mindfulness can alter the structure of your brain in a way that improves your reaction to stress.[5] People who practice mindfulness, for example, often have increased blood flow in their brain and a thickened cerebral cortex.[6] These changes are associated with a stronger attention span and ability to regulate negative emotions.

Mindfulness can also affect the amount of grey matter in your brain. In your hippocampus, for example, mindful activities increases grey matter density-which can strengthen your memory, compassion, introspection, and self-awareness.[7] These activities can also decrease the amount of brain matter in your amygdala, which reduces stress and anxiety.[8] Not only do mindful techniques strengthen your brain's ability to learn positive coping strategies, but they lower the power and frequency of negative emotions.

Even in small doses, mindfulness for students can lead to promising results. Just practicing mindfulness for half an hour a day or less for eight weeks can lead to noticeable cognitive changes.[9] And while it's true that most brain imaging studies focus on adult patients, researchers believe that the results are positive across all ages. Not only is mindfulness one of the most popular anxiety relief strategies for elementary students but, according to neuroscience, it's also the most effective.[10]

Benefits of Mindfulness in the Classroom

The benefits of mindfulness for students range from academic to social-emotional improvements. Students who receive mindfulness training in class generally have higher test scores and grades than their peers.[11] The more they practice mindful activities, the more their focus, social skills, self-esteem, and ability to regulate their emotions improve, too.[12] Plus, students who learn mindfulness often have healthier sleep schedules and are better prepared for their day inside and outside of the classroom.[13]

Mindfulness in schools also helps to reduce unhealthy or disruptive behavior in classrooms. For example, students who receive mindfulness training usually have lower stress levels, and they also have lower rates of anxiety or depression.[14,15] Thanks to an improved mood and better sleep habits, they're also less likely to feel fatigued at school. Plus, bullying rates are significantly lower in schools that implement mindfulness programs.[16]

In a nutshell, mindfulness in elementary schools is proven to increase:

Academic achievement

Focus

Social skills and emotional regulation

Self-esteem

Sleep habits

Compassion

It is also shown to reduce:

Additionally, mindfulness programs are an effective way to reach students with disabilities. Children with learning disabilities, particularly attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), have higher grades and lower instances of emotional disruption after receiving mindfulness training than those who receive no training.[17] For children with special needs, mindfulness can help them learn social-emotional skills to connect with their peers.[18] By using mindfulness strategies, educators can give every student the tools they need to thrive in class.

Fun Mindfulness Activities for Students

Luckily for educators, teaching mindfulness in schools is as fun as it is effective. Students report that mindfulness group activities are enjoyable and that they use the techniques that they learned in their daily lives.[19] Try these mindfulness activities for the classroom to teach your students social-emotional skills that will help them reach their academic potential.

Mindful Eating Activity

Give each child in your class a piece of candy or other treat. As they chew it, instruct them to focus on the flavors and sensations that they notice while eating. Once they've finished eating, have them discuss or write down any important details they noticed about the food (like its color, smell, taste, texture, and so on).

This mindfulness activity is especially useful for teaching students about the five senses. If you're looking for social-emotional activities that connect with your school's existing curriculum, this can be a great tie-in.

Mini Meditation [20]

Because children have shorter attention spans, small-scale meditation activities are better for teaching mindfulness without making them bored. One way to do this is putting on calming music and having students close their eyes at their desks. Instruct students to close their eyes and focus on the music as much as possible. If their thoughts wander from the music, remind them not to get mad at themselves but to just recognize what happened and return to the music.

For early elementary school students, aim for two to three minutes at the most. Older students may be able to meditate longer as they have more practice.

Body Scan [21]

This activity is a great way to help students use mindfulness techniques as a stress management tool. To start the body scan, have your students lie down on the floor or sit still at their desks. Walk them through an inventory of any emotions or sensations they notice from their head to their toes. As they recognize these feelings, instruct them to accept their presence and then move on to the next part of their body.

For a more involved mindfulness exercise, have your students lie on the floor. Walk them through a scan of any feelings or sensations they have from their head to their toes. Instruct them to, as they notice these feelings, accept them as they are. Once you've finished the body scan, take a few deep breaths together and conclude the activity.

Walking Meditation

Walking meditations are a fun way to help students get their wiggles out while practicing mindfulness. Take your students outside and go for a brief, five-to-ten-minute walk. While walking, ask them to focus on the sights and sounds around them, as well as how they feel. After completing the exercise, take them back inside and have them reflect on the experience through discussion or journaling.

How to Practice Mindfulness for Teachers

Mindfulness can improve stress management for teachers just as much as it does for students. Educators at the University of California, Berkeley believe that teachers who practice mindfulness are more capable of understanding their own emotions, developing good teacher-student relationships, and establishing a positive classroom environment.[22]

But most importantly, mindfulness is a self-care strategy for teachers that can help them feel fulfilled and improve their overall well-being.[23]

Use these five tips on how to be mindful as an educator and reap the benefits for yourself and for your students:

Before class starts each day, take five to ten minutes and put on a recorded meditation or practice a few breathing exercises

Start keeping a journal and try to write in it at least a few times a week. Keeping track of your experiences can help you recognize thoughts and feelings as they come during the day

To make mindfulness a part of your routine, set daily reminders on your phone to do a mindful activity [24]

Gratitude is a great way to become more mindful while cultivating a positive attitude. Once a day, try to make a mental list of ten different things that you're thankful for

For a mindfulness activity that involves your body as much as your mind, join a yoga class or do a few poses in the morning before your classes begin

Sources:
Leland, M. Mindfulness and Student Success. Journal of Adult Education, 2015, 44(1), pp. 19-24.[1]

Shonin, E., Gordon, W.V., and Griffiths, M.D. Practical tips for using mindfulness in general practice. British Journal of General Practice, 2014, 64(624), pp. 368-69.[2]

Greater Good Magazine. Mindfulness Definition: What Is Mindfulness? Retrieved from portland.edu: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/topic/mindfulness/definition.[3]

Durlak, J. A., Weissberg, R.P., Dymnicki, A.B., Taylor, R.D. and Schellinger, K. The impact of enhancing students' social and emotional learning: a meta-analysis of school-based universal interventions. Child Development, 2011, 82(1), pp. 405-32.[4]

Davidson, R. and Lutz, A. Buddha's brain: neuroplasticity and meditation. IEEE Signal Process Mag, 2008, 25(1), pp. 174-176.[5]

Weare, K. Evidence for the Impact of Mindfulness on Children and Young People. Mindfulness in Schools Project, April 2012, pp. 1-12.[6]

Hölzel, E. Mindfulness practice leads to increases in regional brain gray matter density. Psychiatry Research Neuoroimaging, 2011, 191(1), pp. 36.[7]

Ibid.[8]

Weare, K. Evidence for the Impact of Mindfulness on Children and Young People. Mindfulness in Schools Project, April 2012, pp. 1-12.[9]

Gethin, R. On some definitions of mindfulness. Contemporary Buddhism: An Interdisciplinary Journal, 2012, 12(1), pp. 263-79.[10]

Franco, C., Mañas, I., Cangas, A.J., and Gallego, J. The Applications of Mindfulness with Students of Secondary School: Results on the Academic Performance, Self-concept and Anxiety. University of Almería Department of Education, 2010, pp.83-97.[11]

Meiklejohn, J., Phillips, C., Freedman, M.L., Griffin, M.L., Biegel, G., Roach, A., Frank, J., Burke, C., Pinger, L., Soloway, G., Isberg, R., Sibinga, E., Grossman, L., and Saltzman, A. Integrating Mindfulness Training into K-12 Education: Fostering the Resilience of Teachers and Students. Mindfulness Journal, December 2012, 3(4), pp. 291-307.[12]

Weare, K. Evidence for the Impact of Mindfulness on Children and Young People. Mindfulness in Schools Project, April 2012, pp. 1-12.[13]

Napoli, M.N. et. al. Mindfulness Training for Elementary School Students, pp. 99-125.[14]

Meiklejohn, J. et. al. Integrating Mindfulness Training into K-12 Education: Fostering the Resilience of Teachers and Students, pp. 291-307.[15]

Leland, M. Mindfulness and Student Success. Journal of Adult Education, 2015, 44(1), pp. 19-24.[16]

Ibid.[17]

Benn, R., Akiva, T., Arel, S., and Roeser, R. W. Mindfulness training effects for parents and educators of children with special needs. Developmental Psychology, 2012, 48(5), pp. 1476-87.[18]

Mapel, T. Mindfulness and education: Students' experience of learning mindfulness in a tertiary classroom. New Zealand Journal of Educational Studies, 2012, 47(1), pp. 19-32.[19]

Concordia University Department of Education. Mindfulness Activities for the Elementary Classroom. Retrieved from portland.edu: https://education.cu-portland.edu/blog/classroom-resources/mindfulness-activities-kids-classroom/.[20]

Hooker, K.E., and Fodor, I.E. Teaching Mindfulness to Children. Gestalt Review, 2008, 12(1), pp. 75-92.[21]

Greater Good Magazine. How Mindfulness Can Help Teachers. Retrieved from berkeley.edu: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/seven_ways_mindfulness_can_help_teachers.[22]

Concordia University Department of Education. Mindfulness Activities for the Elementary Classroom. Retrieved from portland.edu: https://education.cu-portland.edu/blog/classroom-resources/mindfulness-activities-kids-classroom/.[23]

Shonin, E., Gordon, W.V., and Griffiths, M.D. Practical tips for using mindfulness in general practice. British Journal of General Practice, 2014, 64(624), pp. 368-69.[24]

Ibid.[25]

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Why Mindfulness Strengthens Social Emotional Development and Academic Achievement - Waterford.org

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Read on to learn what mindfulness is and find tips for implementing mindfulness activities with your students and as an educator.

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https://www.edutopia.org/article/8-activities-students-and-teachers-create-mindful-classroom/

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8 Activities for Students (and Teachers) to Create a Mindful Classroom

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Everyone in the classroom benefits when there are opportunities throughout the day to reflect and prepare for learning.

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https://www.gse.harvard.edu/news/uk/19/01/making-time-mindfulness

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How mindfulness education can help reduce stress in the classroom.

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https://pce.sandiego.edu/11-ways-mindfulness-in-the-classroom-can-improve-learning/

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University of San Diego - Professional & Continuing Education

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Educators have long sought innovative strategies to foster a positive learning environment in their classroom. While there have historically been a handful of tactics employed by teachers with varying levels of success, today many educators are implementing to a new solution - mindfulness in the classroom.

Born from the broader concept of mindfulness practice, a mindful classroom has been proven to increase productivity, decrease stress, and cultivate a caring and peaceful classroom. But how can you make your room a mindful classroom? Here are just some of the benefits of a mindful classroom, plus 11 ways to incorporate this positive pedagogy into your teaching.

What is Mindfulness?

The practice of mindfulness is rooted in ancient Buddhist teachings, but today, the application of it can be seen in schools, prisons, hospitals and beyond. In a general sense, mindfulness means maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our own thoughts, feelings, bodies and surrounding environment, through a gentle, nurturing lens. It means to truly be in the moment without distractions or consideration of past or future events.

Mindfulness in the Classroom

Mindful education is loosely defined as the purposeful inclusion of mindfulness and mindful meditation principles, theories and practices into education with the goal of helping students learn:

Self-awareness

Techniques to calm and focus the mind

Mindful communication

How to apply mindfulness skills to everyday life

Pivoting toward a mindful education and creating a mindful classroom calls for incorporating those aforementioned concepts and principles into your day-to-day teaching practice and class routines.

Benefits of Mindfulness in the Classroom

Aside from prioritizing the mental and emotional health of you and your students, a mindful classroom has proven to have a number of benefits.

1. A study published in the Frontiers of Psychology showed that teaching mindfulness in the classroom reduces behavior problems, aggression and depression among students and improves their happiness levels, self-regulation and ability to pay attention.

2. Mindful practices, both in the classroom and out of it, are also shown to improve our ability to communicate. Because mindful teachings help us to better understand our thoughts and feelings, that in turn also helps us communicate those things more effectively and successfully.

3. Teachers trained in mindfulness also show lower blood pressure, less symptoms of depression, less distress and urgency, greater compassion and empathy, and are more effective in their teaching, according to study published in the Journal of Educational Psychology.

4. Not only should mindfulness in the classroom help students who are consistently disruptive or "difficult" learn more about their behavior and emotions, it should also help you as a teacher work with them. Mindfulness teaches us nonjudgmental awareness and how to reflect on our own emotions, which can help you diffuse a tough situation and get to the root of the student's distress.

5. Mindfulness has even been proven to have positive effects on our brain and immune functions. A National Library of Medicine study found that after just eight weeks of training, practicing mindfulness meditation boosts our immune system's ability to fight off illness and can improve our quality of sleep.

6. A report from the SUNY Brockport found that "positive and effective relationships can be developed through the implementation of mindfulness as a pervasive practice and holistic value throughout the whole school."

7. A university study published in Consciousness and Cognition found that mindfulness teachings can decrease test anxiety, reducing mind-wandering/daydreaming and ultimately improving student's performance on exams.

8. Several studies, including one published in the Journal of Research in Personality have found that mindfulness increases our overall positive emotions while simultaneously reducing negative emotions and stress.

9. Mindfulness can also trigger physiological changes, as it has been found that it increases density of gray matter in brain regions linked to learning, memory, emotion regulation and empathy.

10. Mindfulness studies also suggest that the practice helps us focus better, improve our memory, all while enhancing our attention skills and decision-making abilities.

11. A University of Utah research team found that people who practice mindfulness have higher self-esteem, a stronger sense of self, healthier body image and are more receptive and resilient to negative feedback.

How to Apply Mindfulness to Your Classroom

As any teacher knows, tackling a new skill or trying a new process should first start with learning. Before you begin implementing mindfulness into your classroom, seek out resources or take a mindfulness in education course - doing so will help you build out a reliable plan and set yourself up for success.

After you've done your homework, there are few steps to take to create and sustain a mindful classroom.

Implement regular mindful practices - Mindfulness takes practice, so help you and your students stay on top of their new skills by regularly taking time to practice. Implement mindful breathing, take mindful pauses during the day, play calming music or sounds in the classroom, or even consider letting students practice mindful movement, like stretching or yoga.

Set intentions - A great way to start each day for both you and your students is to practice goal setting. They can be long-term goals and short-term goals, but purposefully outlining experiences and feelings you are striving for each day can help you teach purposefully and can help students follow your lead and become more mindful.

Use mindful objects in the classroom - This can be a poster or a mind jar or any other display, but have a signal that everyone in the classroom knows means it's time to stop and be still. Taking just moments in the day to refocus and center everyone can help create a calming energy and more positive environment for everyone.

Perform regular sound checks - This is especially important after breaking out into group work or when students come in from recess. Energy is usually high and so are the volume levels, which means both need to be recalibrated. To bring things back down to a calmer level, consider using a sound check bell to reset the classroom space.

Transitioning to a mindful classroom is not an overnight event. It starts with you, the teacher, explaining the concept to your students before implementing the practices little by little. The principles of mindfulness that you should cover include meditation, awareness, acceptance and, of course, mindfulness. When teaching students how to practice mindfulness, try to incorporate mindful breathing, guided meditation, relaxation imagery and the body scan. Positive Psychology recommends delivering mindful content in short weekly (or more frequent) sessions that involve both the principles of mindfulness and the practice of mindfulness.

Classroom Mindfulness Resources

Because mindfulness and meditation are very popular right now, there are many quick reference resources for those looking to implement these practices into their lives or their classroom. However, if you would like to learn how to properly develop and practice mindfulness in the classroom, consider taking the Introduction to the Mindful Classroom course from the University of San Diego. This course will equip you with the knowledge and tools necessary to fully implement mindful concepts in your classroom, and help students and other staff realize the benefits of mindful practices.

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University of San Diego - Professional & Continuing Education

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11 Ways Mindfulness in the Classroom Can Improve Learning - University of San Diego - Professional & Continuing Education

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Educators have long sought innovative strategies to foster a positive learning environment in their classroom. While there have historically been a handful of tactics employed by teachers with varying levels of success, today many educators are implementing to a new solution - mindfulness in the classroom.