Research shows that there are a variety of ways mindfulness can enhance classroom culture, as well as individual well-being and performance. According to the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning, the first core competency of socio-learning is awareness. Mindfulness is the perfect pre-req because it's all about awareness. Teaching mindfulness will allow your students to develop an awareness of their sensations, thoughts, and feelings. It's a great way of learning to understand and regulate oneself. It also sets the stage for empathizing and interacting well with others. 

Here are a few (optional) resources from top institutions that explain the how and why of being mindful.

Watch:

• Video introduction to mindfulness by Diana Winston, Director of the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC)

• TEDx talk by teacher Amy Burke on her experience with professional burnout and student connection

• Harvard talk by Jon Kabat-Zinn, creator of Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR)

Listen:

• Free weekly podcasts through UCLA MARC

Read:

• Mindful body exercise: muscle relaxation from the American Medical Student Association

Three are three reasons to try some mindfulness activities before teaching them: 1) confidence, 2) modeling, 3) personal benefit. 

1) Since mindfulness means intentional awareness, and you will be teaching your students how to be intentional aware, many teaches find it useful to first practice being intentionally aware of themselves. Practicing mindfulness before bringing it to your classroom can boost your confidence in teaching it and empathize with your students as they learn it. You can practice by yourself, with someone at home, or with another teacher. If questions arise, feel free to email kate@kindfulness.com for response within 24 hours. forum? listserv? office hours?

1) Many teachers find that the most effective way of instilling mindfulness in their students is by modeling it in subtle ways throughout the day. A good example is taking a deep breath when you are feeling overwhelmed, and letting your students know as you do it.

3) Practicing mindfulness can benefit more than just your students; it can benefit you! Being mindful can help reduce the stress of the school day.

In summary, it is recommended (but not required) that you practice mindfulness before you teach it. You certainly don't need to be a certified mindfulness guru to teach mindfully or to teach mindfulness. Regardless of whether or not you choose to pursue a personal practice, the clear concise Kindfulness Curriculum will make it easy for you to teach mindfulness to your students. The lessons include scripts that you can follow along until you are comfortable leading your own versions. You and your students can learn and practice mindfulness together!

Amy Salzman

http://on.aol.com/video/the-physical-benefits-of-mindfulness-for-kids-518005756

http://on.aol.com/video/kids-who-practice-mindfulness-show-less-adhd-behaviors-518005755

• School videos by teacher Sherry-Lynne Kirschner about her students, fun classroom breathing, and 

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