Using Mindfulness to Support Students’ Mental Health and Well-being is an online micro-course for practicing teachers who have students feeling distracted, challenges handling behavior management, or difficulties handling stress. This course provides a definition of mindfulness, explores specific exercises (like breathing, meditation, visualization, and movement) as well as mindfulness activities for kids. This mindfulness activity is designed for use with students of all grades, and it’s intended for all subject areas. Further reading on topics covered and specific examples of use are provided within the course.
Are You Experiencing Distracted, Stressed, and Unfocused Students?
I am sure you have witnessed in your classroom, students feeling distracted, having challenges managing their behavior, difficulties handling stress or trouble regulating their feelings. These situations can be challenging for any classroom teacher, but mindfulness can provide a framework for helping move students past these types of instructional blockers.
What is Mindfulness and How Can It Help With Stress Reduction in Your Classroom?
Mindfulness is the practice of purposely bringing one’s attention to experiences occurring in the present moment without judgment, a skill that can be developed through meditation and other techniques. Mindfulness exercises and techniques can be used in your classroom to help your students make better decisions, regulate their feelings and to be “present in the moment”. Students need to be given the tools and strategies to be able to do this.
Four Sets of Exercises to Reduce Stress and Distractions While Increasing Focus and Calm.
This course includes techniques that are used by teachers of all grade levels, and can be applied across a range of subjects. I’ll show you how to implement mindfulness meditations, exercises, and techniques in your classroom to support your students’ mental health and well-being. Oh, and you might just get some strategies that benefit YOU.
Meet Your Instructor – Melissa Clarke
Melissa Clarke has been teaching for over 15 years and is currently teaching 1st grade in Ontario, Canada. She has a Bachelor of Education degree, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education. Melissa strives to offer children an environment that is safe, warm, positive, inclusive, and supports children’s natural curiosity and exploration. She uses mindfulness exercises and techniques in her own classroom to help her students make better decisions, regulate their feelings and to be “present in the moment”.
