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"I Am Peace: A Book of Mindfulness" by Susan Verde

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"I Am Peace: A Book of Mindfulness" by Susan Verde

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Summary:
This beautifully illustrated book follows a young child who experiences a rush of overwhelming thoughts and feelings, then learns to slow down, breathe, and find peace through mindfulness. It encourages kids to be present and manage stress, which directly connects to creating a calming classroom environment.

Discussion Questions:

1. What does mindfulness mean to you, and how can it help when you’re feeling overwhelmed?

2. What are some ways we can practice being calm during the school day?

3. How do you feel after taking a deep breath or doing something peaceful?

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Summary:
This book offers short, engaging breathing exercises and mindfulness practices using animal imagery and nature-based metaphors. These activities are easy to implement during the school day and can become part of daily routines that calm and center students.

Discussion Questions:

1. Which breathing exercise in the book helped you feel the most calm? Why?

2. How can we use our breath to help us stay focused or feel better?

3. When during the school day do you think would be a good time to take a “mindful moment”?

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GoNoodle offers free videos that guide children through movement and mindfulness exercises, such as deep breathing, stretching, and positive affirmations. These activities help students regulate their energy and emotions, making it easier to maintain a calm, focused classroom. I can use this resource for brain breaks or transitions to support a consistent and mindful daily routine.

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PBS Parents offers simple mindfulness activities, videos, and printables for children, focusing on breathing, emotional regulation, and gratitude. These tools are great for reinforcing mindfulness at school and at home. This resource will help me introduce mindfulness in age-appropriate ways with characters and visuals students already love.

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Practice Mindfulness With PBS KIDS Shows and Games | Parenting Tips &…

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Children can learn mindfulness through simple activities. Check out these PBS KIDS shows and games to help grow your family’s mindfulness skills.

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This curriculum teaches students how to recognize and manage their feelings by categorizing emotions into four color-coded “zones.” It provides practical tools and visuals that can be used in the classroom to help students identify how they're feeling and choose appropriate strategies. Incorporating this into my classroom will support emotional regulation and reinforce routines for calming down.

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Teach Kids to Manage Big Feelings Through Effective Social Emotional Learning

Over 80% of U.S. public schools reported in 2022 on the negative impact of the pandemic on child well-being and self-regulation. Kids are:

Struggling to manage their feelings and mental health

More disruptive in the classroom

Needing additional social, emotional, and behavioral support

(source: National Center for Education Statistics)

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The Zones of Regulation is a complete social-emotional learning curriculum, created to teach children self-regulation and emotional control.

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Headspace for Kids offers guided meditations tailored to different age groups and focuses, such as calm, sleep, and focus. The meditations are short and easy to follow, making them ideal for use during classroom transitions or as part of a daily mindfulness practice. This resource will help students build emotional awareness and develop lifelong coping strategies.

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Your Headspace Mindfulness & Meditation Experts

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We want children to be healthy & happy now & for the rest of their lives. Teach meditation for kids with Headspace, using easy exercises designed for young minds.

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Inner Explorer offers a daily mindfulness program for PreK–12 classrooms, including audio-guided mindfulness practices. It’s designed to be used consistently, fitting seamlessly into existing routines and taking only about 10 minutes a day. This resource supports classroom calm, improved attention, and emotional resilience.

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Mindfulness Practice Program | Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction

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Inner Explorer is a completely reliable mindfulness practice program. Get rid of anxiety and bring peace of mind with our 5-10 minutes audio practice.

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Being Mindful, Being Kind (SHAPE America)

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Being Mindful, Being Kind (SHAPE America)

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This lesson helps students define mindfulness and practice a “Mindful Minute” complete with breathing and a kind greeting activity. It builds emotional awareness and social connection, supporting routines that calm the class and reinforce positive behavior.

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Mindful Bodies (K–2) (Empowering Education)

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Mindful Bodies (K–2) (Empowering Education)

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This activity engages young students in non-judgmental attention exercises to increase awareness and acceptance of bodily sensations. It cultivates foundational skills for mindfulness and self-regulation, seamlessly tying into routines designed to calm and center students.

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30 Days of Mindfulness in the Classroom (New Brunswick Education)

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30 Days of Mindfulness in the Classroom (New Brunswick Education)

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This month-long program offers daily mindfulness exercises, including breathing, meditation, and relaxation, each with a mini lesson plan. It encourages consistent practice, making mindfulness part of the class routine to support emotional regulation and classroom calm.

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What is your topic, and why did you choose it?

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What is your topic, and why did you choose it?

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My topic is “Creating a Calming Classroom Environment Through Mindfulness and Routine.” I chose it because I believe students learn best in a supportive and emotionally regulated environment. I have seen firsthand how children respond positively to structure and calming practices, and I want to be intentional about building that kind of space.

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Many children today experience high levels of stress, and they may not have developed strategies to manage their emotions or energy. Teaching mindfulness and routine builds emotional regulation, improves focus, and promotes cooperation. It creates an environment where students feel safe and supported, which is crucial for both behavior and academic success.

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How would you teach this topic in your future classroom?

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How would you teach this topic in your future classroom?

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I would begin each day with a consistent morning routine that includes a mindfulness activity, such as breathing or reflection. Throughout the day, I’d use short mindfulness breaks and breathing cues to help students transition between tasks. I’d also incorporate books, videos, and classroom discussions that promote self-awareness and regulation. The goal is to weave mindfulness naturally into the day so it becomes part of our classroom culture.

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What are 3 questions or concerns you have about teaching this topic?

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What are 3 questions or concerns you have about teaching this topic?

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1. How can I effectively introduce mindfulness to young students who may not be familiar with the concept?

Start with simple, age-appropriate explanations and activities. You can describe mindfulness as “paying attention to what’s happening right now with our bodies and feelings.” Begin with short, guided exercises like deep belly breathing, listening to calming sounds, or “mindful moments” where students focus on one sense (e.g., what they hear or feel). Using stories or videos featuring relatable characters practicing mindfulness can also help normalize it. Consistency and modeling the behavior yourself will help students gradually understand and embrace it.

2. How do I maintain consistency with calming routines while still being flexible to meet the needs of individual students or unexpected classroom changes?

Establish core routines (like a morning check-in, breathing exercise after recess, or end-of-day reflection) but allow room to adapt. For example, if a fire drill disrupts a routine, acknowledge the change and take a mindful moment afterward to re-center. You can also give students a choice in the routine (e.g., choosing between two calming exercises) to meet varying needs. Flexibility comes from understanding the purpose behind the routine—creating calm—so adjustments can still serve that goal even when the structure shifts.

3. What strategies can I use to gain student buy-in and avoid resistance or boredom with repeated mindfulness practices?

Vary your mindfulness activities and connect them to student interests. For example, use movement-based mindfulness like “mindful stretching,” or sensory experiences like “mindful eating” (with a small snack). Invite student input by letting them lead a mindfulness moment or reflect on what activities help them feel calm. Explain the why behind mindfulness—how it can help with focus, emotions, and friendships. The more students see the benefits and have a voice in the process, the more likely they are to engage positively.