Contact Details

Ananda Programmes Greystones,
Co. Wicklow,
Ireland

Links:

“I would love to live
Like a river flows
Carried by the surprise
Of its own unfolding”

John O'Donohue

Mindfulness for schools

Primary Teacher Summer Courses

Ananda Progragrammes is dedicated to promoting Mindfulness in Education. While this may be a new concept here in Ireland, it is being used both widely and with wonderful success in America, the United Kingdom and many other parts of the world. We now, thankfully, have scientific research results supporting what many top childrens' psychologists, psychiatrists and educators already know to be true, our children need another way of relating to the world, they need to connect with their own inner resources, their ability to be heartfelt in relationships and their ability to manage their emotions in a healthy way - the practice of Mindfulness and Mindful Living offers all of this.

My first experience of working with school age children was at St. David's Secondary School in Greystones in 2008. The SPHE Co-Ordinator, Elaine Kelly-Conroy asked me to give a talk to the Transition Year (TY) Students on Mindfulness. Their feedback was so posivite that I asked Elaine if I could go into the school and adapt the adult 8 Week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Programme for this age group and do it over 4 weeks. I did this and explained to the TY students that this was the first time an MBSR Programme had been done in a school in Ireland and possibly Europe so I needed to learn from them if this is worth offering to other schools. Once again, the feedback surpassed all my expectations, they loved the time we spent together, they experienced what relaxation and relaxed alertness feels like, how to connect with their feelings and respond to situations rather than react. I can honestly say I felt it was very worthwhile as they all benefited in many different ways. However, I returned to do some work with the same class as they prepared for the Leaving Certificate Exams last May. While all of the students remembered me very clearly, most of them did not recall much about the Mindfulness Course and most did not continue the practice in any meaningful way. This is not unusual, in fact it is what one would expect. For Mindfulness to be effective, it needs to be practiced regularly. Somewhat like taking a vitamin pill, one will not make a difference.

This was a great learning for me. I have changed my approach now and work more with Teachers, both exploring Mindfulness for their own self-care and Mindfulness in the classroom. Without the continuation of the practice in the school after I leave, it will not make any significant difference.

For Primary Schools my approach now is three-fold. I go into the school and talk with the Teachers as a group about Mindfulness in general and the benefits of bringing this into the school environment. I then go back to the school along with one of my colleagues and model the practices in the classroom as the Teachers sit in and observe. We then talk over the practices and answer and questions that may arise. I also encourage the Teachers to experience and include Mindfulness in their own lives. We also offer further support and training programmes in Mindfulness practicrs for the classroom, whether it be more training or answering queries that may arise for them.

In September 2008 I spoke with the Teachers of St. Thomas's Junior School in Jobstown, Tallaght. The Teachers as a whole were very positive and interested in what this practice has to offer. They decided to use Mindful Breathing three times a day by ringing bells over the intercom which significed to the children to sit quietly, hands on tummy and focus on breathing. This has been a great success and is continued in the school to this day.This has made a significant difference in behaviour and Mindful Awareness is now included in the Code of Practice in the School.

Why be Mindful?

The Mind sciences now understand that Mindfulness - the practice of making ourselves aware of our thoughts, feelings and behaviour - will clarify our understanding of life experiences. Modern neuroscience and psychology, supported by ancient wisdom, has turned Mindfulness into a rewarding educational addition for school going children.

Traditional schooling encourages cognitive ability; instilling knowledge and developing intellectual ability. But now, 21st century educationists realise that teaching our young people how to understand themselves, what can be described as their inner life - advances emotional literacy and well-bring, and is a necessary life-skill for happiness and peacefulness.

I recommend anyone who is interested in this to check out some of the web site links I provide for you below. You will see the dedication of so many who are involved in working with our children. There are also some very good youtube sessions where you can see firsthand Mindfulness in the classroom. I am available to hear from anyone who would like to know more about this and also to go to your school and support you introduce this very important life skill for our children.

Transition Year Student Comments

All adults should do this programme, they all seem so stressed.

It was very beneficial because now I know how to get a relaxed state very easily which will help me throughout my Leaving Cert.

It was a brilliant experience that will stick with me for life.

It was an amazing experience that everyone should try and it is really relaxing.

I really enjoyed the programme, it was one of my favourite courses we did.

Really, really enjoyed it and am very grateful for the chance to experience it.

I feel it has helped me become a more relaxed and contented person.

I think it was very beneficial to everybody and taught us a lot about being mindful

Links on Organisations involved in Mindfulness in Education and Research results:-

Organisations involved in this work.

1. Inner Kids
http://www.mindfulnesstogether.com/

2. Mindful Schools
http://www.mindfulschools.org/

3. Hawn Foundation
http://www.thehawnfoundation.org/

4. Inner Resilence Program
http://www.innerresilience-tidescenter.org/

5.Mindfulness for Schools
http://www.mindfulnessforschools.com/index.html

Research Results

1. Mind and Life Institute
http://www.mindandlife.org/ml.education.research.network.html
http://www.educatingworldcitizens.org/

2. Garrison Institute
http://www.garrisoninstitute.org/home.php

3. Association for Mindfulness in Education
They have various research pieces documented under Research and some interesting Newspaper articles about Mindfulness in the Classroom under Resources.
http://www.mindfuleducation.org/about.html.

4. UCLA Mindfulness Research Centre
http://marc.ucla.edu/

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