MINDFUL SCHOOLS Presentation by Robyn Zelvis, School Counsellor/Psychologist Dapto High School, Optimism and Resilience Conference 20th December 2016

Overview Mindfulness in schools What’s happening globally and in Australia? The Anika Foundation NSW Premier’s Teacher Scholarship Study Tour 2017

MINDFULNESS IN SCHOOLS????

Take a moment

Mindful Schools vs Mindfulness IN schools Mindful Schools is a universal wellbeing program (based in USA) promoted in kidsmatter. The Mindful Schools Curriculum: uses developmentally appropriate language for explaining key mindfulness concepts and practices to children promotes strong connections between teachers with children, and improvements in student behaviour (attention, self-regulation, engagement, compassion) program consists of 16 core lessons of 15 minutes duration, presented twice a week over 9 weeks Involves online training at a cost

Mindfulness in Schools mindfulness-based interventions in schools help to: promote well-being support emotional and social learning, and prevent mental health problems. The implementation of mindfulness in schools aligns well with the Wellbeing Framework for Schools which aims to foster positive outcomes for students. It helps teachers too!

The evidence help to reduce and prevent depression in adolescents (Griffith, Van der Gucht & Williams, 2014) have the potential to enhance adolescents’ emotional regulation and well-being (Broderick & Metz, 2009). Specific benefits include: development of resilience and self-regulation skills through awareness of thoughts, emotions, impulses and body sensations, helps individuals to develop openness and acceptance through present moment awareness, and enables individuals to learn how to let of go of unhelpful thoughts and feelings.

Mindfulness Definitions Jon Kabat-Zin: "Paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non- judgmentally.“ Thích Nhất Hạnh “A complete and nonjudgmental awareness of the present moment.”

Mindfulness Definitions “Paying attention to something ‘on purpose’, being very aware of our thoughts and staying in the present moment. “Paying attention to the present moment with kindness and curiosity” (Inward Bound Mindfulness Education) “Mindfulness means maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment.” (Greater Good) “the energy and power of awareness and attention, present as a potential in all human beings.” (MiSN) “Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way: On purpose, in the present moment, and with unconditional love.” (Mindfulness for Teens)

Mindfulness in Schools - benefits Mindfulness gives us time to stop and think. Mindfulness activities in school are designed to give young people time to slow down, pay attention to what is around them and focus on the present. When young people are aware of their thoughts, feelings and bodily sensations they are better able to respond in more helpful ways than react without thinking.

Mindfulness in schools - ACTIVITIES Simple activities throughout the school day Mindful breathing Mindful listening to music Mindful reading Mindful listening Mindful meditation Mindful paying attention Mindful eating Mindful body scan

Mindfulness Programs It’s not just mindfulness activities Involves social and emotional learning (SEL) Purpose: 1. To provide universal, developmentally appropriate mindfulness instruction that fosters mental health and wellness; 2. To enhance emotion awareness and emotion management skills and to foster wholesome emotional balance; 3. To strengthen attention; 4. To expand the repertoire of skills for stress management.

Why and how? Social and emotional skills play a fundamental role in the attainment of academic goals. If students can learn how to focus their attention to productive tasks, to sustain motivation when work becomes demanding, and to handle frustrations more effectively, then they will be able to participate in the learning better. If mindfulness teaches us how to pay attention to our thoughts, emotions and physical responses then we learn how to respond to these rather than react then we are learning self-regulation skills. Mindfulness training can complement and strengthen other approaches that promote emotion regulation, reduce stress, and develop attention. Behaviour management 101.

Teachers note: Important for teachers to practice some mindfulness themselves, to understand and feel the benefits of mindfulness, to be committed to the practice of mindfulness before they introduce it to their students If the students don’t think the teacher values it then they won’t

My mindfulness journey Disclaimer: I am NOT an expert! Mindfulness activities in sessions with students and in private practice Personal benefits Professional benefits Mindfulness for the benefit of the masses Desire to study best practice…..

Internationally: UK Parliamentary Inquiry – Mindful Nation UK Global phenomenon Mindfulness Every Day (Canada) Yoga4 Classrooms (Canada) Mindfulness without Borders (Canada, USA, UK) Mind With Heart (Aus, UK, Germany, USA, France) Mindfulness in Schools Project (UK, Aus, Europe) Mindful Aotearoa (NZ) AMT International Teaching Development Program (The Netherlands) Mindfulness Foundation (UK) Modern Mindfulness for Schools (USA) Wake Up Schools (USA) Project Plum Village (France) MYRIAD Project (Oxford University) Individual school programs (worldwide)

Australia Mind with Heart Meditation Capsules Mindfulness Matters Mindfulness in Schools Project Mindful Attention Smiling Mind – seeks to have mindfulness embedded into the curriculum by 2020

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04TAzlKFekI&feature=youtu.be

NSW Premier’s Teacher Scholarship Teachers in Government, Catholic or Independent Schools and TAFE NSW Institutes across New South Wales a five week study tour in one of the available scholarship categories. scholarships now encompass English, youth depression awareness, creativity and innovation, new and emerging technologies, financial literacy, economics, information and communication technologies, special education support teachers (vision), early childhood, Chinese language, history, leadership, vocational education for school and TAFE teachers and rural and remote education.

Anika's Story On 17 May 2004 Anika was at home studying for a major mathematics assessment for the HSC to be held the next day. Anika left letters to her parents and friends apologising and explaining to them that she could not cope any more with the pressure of the HSC, along with an issue with a friend. Anika was a top HSC student at her school; she won one of the major prizes in the state- wide Intel Science competition in 2002 (third), and her assessments in all subjects were running in the 90's. Anika had a close supportive family, including an older brother and sister. But Anika suffered from depression. She is no longer here. http://www.anikafoundation.com/anikas_story.shtml

set up in 2005 to raise funds for the purposes of supporting research into adolescent depression and suicide Funds raised for an endowment that will be invested by the professionals on the board of the foundation, working on a completely voluntary basis. Income from the endowment will be used to fund annual research prizes in perpetuity, in the area of adolescent depression and suicide. The scope will be broad, including medical, social and educational research studies. provides an opportunity for friends, colleagues, acquaintances and members of corporate Australia to make a difference, in an area that affects at least 1 in 4 families.

First stop

Bridging the Hearts and Minds of Youth Conference Making Mindfulness Stick with Kids Caregivers and More Making Kindness Cool: What if Teenagers Taught Kindness to Pre-Schoolers? Trauma Informed Practice in the Mindful Classroom Secular Mindfulness in Public Schools How Teacher Wellness Creates Thriving Schools

Next

The adventurous section

Tuktoyaktuk – NWT Canada

Polar bear killed in Tuktoyaktuk after wandering into community

Next stop

Then

Last stop (to thaw out)

Self-compassion and gratitude, self-care