Mindfulness-Based SEL in Action

Having a Calm Down Box in your classroom can be a very beneficial approach for encourage strategies for self-regulation and stress relief. When a student is feeling dysregulated, a few minutes with novel, tactile items may be just what is needed. Research suggests that movement even of just the hands with with fidgets such as novel and tactile objects stimulates the brain in ways that help reduce stress and anxiety as well as improve focus and concentration. Click the image for some ideas and also check out this post and even Pinterest!

In a world that appear to be facing a mental health crisis, a shift in focus toward positivity and well being seems essential. In the midst of increased depression, anxiety, self-harm and aggressive behaviors, how do we begin cultivating well-being and happiness? Aristotle is reported to have said "Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all." The core message of the approach presented in this book is that cultivating authentic happiness is a heart-centered, inside job. And it begins with us, the adults. Thich Nhat Hanh poses this question: "If we as teachers, along with our colleagues, are not happy, how can we expect the children to be happy?" This book addresses the core practices of Mindfulness and how to cultivate this in ourselves as well as in our students and classrooms.

In this video (click image above) psychologist, researcher, and mindfulness teacher Shauna Shapiro talks about the encouraging research behind meditation and its potential to change the makeup of our brains and our level of happiness.

Check out The Greater Good Science Center on Facebook whose mission is to study the psychology, sociology and neuroscience of well-being, and to teach skills that foster a thriving, resilient, and compassionate society.

Did you know Harvard has an incredible amount of free resources and videos on self-regulation and executive functions? "Executive function and self-regulation skills are the mental processes that enable us to plan, focus attention, remember instructions, and juggle multiple tasks successfully. Just as an air traffic control system at a busy airport safely manages the arrivals and departures of many aircraft on multiple runways, the brain needs this skill set to filter distractions, prioritize tasks, set and achieve goals, and control impulses." Click on the picture to check out their latest work.

Celeste Headlee gives great insight on how to talk and how to listen. She appeals to the audience with the idea that "many of you have already heard a lot of advice on this like: look the person in the eye, think of interesting topics to discuss in advance, nod and smile to show you are paying attention or repeat back or summarize what you heard--I want you to forget all that [...] there is no reason to learn how to show you are paying attention if you are in fact paying attention." How do we authentically engage with others?

We often hold ourselves to high standards and become critical of the job we do. Shifting our way of thinking to be more self-compassion is a powerful step towards a positive self-image. When students believe they can achieve they will certainly do it! Click on picture for resources to use with students on building a personal mantra to strengthen the neural pathways for positive self-talk.

Liane Benedict is in her 11th year as Staff Development Coordinator. Prior to this, she spent 14 years in the classroom, Developing her own personal mindfulness practice laid the foundation for the work she now brings to students and adults.

Kate Ginney serves as a Staff Development Specialist. She began her educational journey as a secondary English teacher, where she discovered the value of creating an environment of growth as an essential component to the health and well-being of the individual learner.