![]() ![]() The instructions are that if one is distracted from this task (by anything, such as a thought, an emotion, a sensation, or a perception), to simply notice the interruption and then return one’s focus to the breath.įor teachers who have concerns about students not being able to sit calmly for more than a minute or two, there’s also walking meditation, where students are instructed to walk in a circle or in a designated straight line (this is best done outdoors) and have the focus this time, not on the breath, but on the sensations of contact that their feet make with the ground.Īnother good ‘’moving’’ practice is mindful stretching, which repurposes a few ancient yoga poses as vehicles for contemplation. The most common way of practicing mindfulness is to simply sit on the floor or in a chair, close one’s eyes, and pay attention to one’s breathing: to the inflow and outgo of air through the nostrils, or to the rising and falling of the chest or stomach. Mindfulness is the intentional focus of the mind on each present moment in time with a curious and nonjudgmental attitude. Mindfulness is simply a techniqueįirst, you might ask, what is mindfulness? To some people it conjures up images of people making pretzels of their bodies, listening to sitar music, coloring mandalas, or taking guided trips into the core of one’s imagination. In this article, I’d like to explore several reasons why the answer is a definite yes and to argue that kids should practice mindfulness at the middle school level on a regular basis. This very fact has led some parents and educators to wonder whether kids in early adolescence can sit still long enough to practice mindfulness in the first place. The result: Middle schoolers are kids who – metaphorically speaking – have their foot on the gas pedal while their brakes have yet to be installed. ![]() Meanwhile, the more rational prefrontal cortex of the brain still has years to go until it reaches full maturity. Additionally, they review progress reports and report cards, set and plan personal and academic goals, and work together to formulate the action steps necessary to achieve these goals.I don’t think that there’s any other group along the continuum of human life who can benefit more from mindfulness practices than kids in middle school.įrom a neuroscience perspective, their emotional brain or limbic system has pretty much been installed and is fully functional, making them more vulnerable to the stress of emotional reactivity. ![]() Students have the option of working with their COACH daily and at key junctures of the trimesters. The COACH becomes a personal resource to that student, their parents, and other faculty members and is most familiar with the learning profile and current needs of the student. This carefully selected “point-person” is matched up based on relationship dynamics, personality, and the individual needs of the student. Students are assigned a faculty COACH who serves as a mentor, executive coach, and content specialist, throughout the student’s tenure at The Craig School. The COACH program is a dynamic relationship between a student and a faculty member built upon the principles of guidance, personal relationships, and individual growth. When teens feel valued in their community, feel competent, and have a sense of autonomy, they are more likely to engage fully in the high school experience. Social-emotional development is as important to address with teenagers as it is with younger students. ![]()
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