MINDFULNESS
WHAT IS MINDFULNESS
Amy Saltzman defines it as: “Mindfulness is paying attention to your life, here and now, with kindness and curiosity.” While mindfulness is often talked about in connection with emotional regulation, it’s a misunderstanding to think of it as learning to control your emotions. Rather, mindfulness explores living with all emotions and thoughts, and developing a more compassionate relationship with them. It’s about present-moment awareness and the lens that you choose to examine the present moment with. This lens is sometimes called “nonjudgmental awareness.” Children respond better to the idea of kindness and curiosity about our experiences. What can often be confusing is that the word “mindfulness” is used to describe both a practice and the end goal of that practice (yoga is used in the same way). You can do mindfulness exercises, which are experiences that are created with the intention of practicing being mindfully aware of your experience, or you can talk about being mindful in everyday life, which is about tuning in to the present with kindness and curiosity. One can take a mindful approach to both yoga and meditation, but mindfulness is also distinct in that it has its own history and set of practices.
How did I become interested in Mindfulness and Social Emotional Learning?
When I became a mother, I started to develop a concern regarding my children's physical and mental health.
That is why in 2019 I decided to pursue a certification in Health Coaching with an emphasis on children.
It is actually through this journey that I became strongly intrigued by the science of mind-body and eager to deepen my knowledge in the domain.
Afterward, I got certified as a mindfulness sound healer and currently learning Yoga and Mindfulness for Kids.
WHAT IS S.E.L
(SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING)
Social-emotional learning (SEL) is the process of learning social and emotional skills.
It is just as important as learning science, reading, writing, or math.
This learning process is most effective when it begins early and continues through high school.
With SEL students learn to:
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Identify and manage their own emotions and behavior.
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Have empathy and show care and concern for others.
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Solve problems effectively.
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Make responsible decisions.
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Maintain healthy relationships.
By participating in SEL, students learn the skills to self-regulate, be kind, solve problems skillfully, and prepare to build a more peaceful world. Through SEL students can ensure higher success in every facet of school as well as for the rest of their lives.
KIDS ARE STRESSED
Competitive schools, tons of activities, constant testing, problems at home, problems in the world, social media...
Children are just as susceptible as adults to feeling pressured and overwhelmed. Many children today are experiencing an increase in social and academic stress resulting in an over-arousal of the sympathetic nervous system and a buildup of stress hormones such as adrenaline cortisol and steroids. These hormones make it very challenging for children to sit still, direct their attention, and focus on everyday intellectual and personal tasks. Their bodies are not at ease because their nervous system is giving them the message constantly to get ready for the impending danger. This is compounded by the fact that children are sitting still in school and living and sometimes living rather sedentary lives at home which makes it very hard to dissolve and disburse these built-up stress hormones. Movement is the quickest way to process these hormones, so if we can get our kids moving more we can cultivate a greater sense of well-being.
S.E.L PILLARS
Emotions and Feelings
Identifying emotions, labeling emotions and emotional experiences
Kindness and empathy
compassion; caring for others; caring for the self; ways to show; language to use
Self awareness and regulation
Impulse control, confidence building, goals setting , thoughts organization
Growth mindeset
self-perception, effort & perseverance, failure is learning, the brain
Relationships
communication, friendship, social engagement, body language, listening
Meditation and Mindfulness
Present-moment awareness, focused attention, self-study of own mind
MINDFULNESS THROUGH ART
Using art as a mindfulness tool can provide a uniquely accessible opportunity to let the mind wander freely while focusing attention on a simple, engaging task – it is a ‘hack’ for present moment awareness. Mindfulness and art are also becoming more popular as a form of therapy for young people. Mindfulness-based Art brings together mindfulness and artistic expression in which the process of creating is the important part, not the finished product.
By providing students the chance to get hands-on with art we provide them with a fun and concrete experience that they can use to self-regulate during times of escalation. It provides a tangible coping strategy that students can use at home, at their desks, or any other time they need to calm down.