MindfulnessPracticewithChildren

HeartsandMindsThinkTank:TheSterlingInstitute
November1,2011

SaraMarlowe,MSW,RSW
www.mindfulfamilies.ca
[email protected]
4162806456
 2
TheAttitudinalFoundationsofMindfulnessPractice

Bypracticingmindfulawarenessthroughsittingmeditationwelearntocultivatethe
followingattitudestowardsourlifeexperience.

Nonjudging:Impartialwitnessingofthoughtsandfeelings;withkindnessand
intentionality,resistingtheinclinationtojudgeandcriticizeourexperience.

Patience:Restinginthewisdomthatthingsneedtounfoldintheirowntimeandallowing
forthisprocesstohappen.

Beginnersmind:Theabilitytoseethingsasifforthefirsttimewithasenseofcuriosityand
genuineinterest.Allowingforpreconceivedideastonotinfluenceourdirectexperienceof
thepresentmoment.

Trust:Recognizingourowninnerwisdomandabilitytoguideourselvesinthepracticeof
knowingourminds.

Nonstriving:Allowingoneselftobeonthepathwithdirectionbutalsobeinginthepresent
momenteachstepoftheway.

Acceptance:Permittingthatwhateverarisesinyourexperiencetobefullypresent,no
matterwhatyourreactionmaybe,includingresistance.

Lettinggo:Recognizingtheinclinationtoholdontoexperiences,whetherpositiveor
negative,andallowingoneselftoletgoofwhatisnotneededorhelpful.

Connectedtoeachoftheseattitudinalfoundationsis:COMPASSION

SuggestionforReflection:Howmighttheapplicationoftheseattitudinalfoundationsbe
beneficialinyourroleasaneducator?
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________

MindfulnessPracticewithChildren
Copyright2011SaraMarloweMSW,RSW,www.mindfulfamilies.ca
 3
SomeConsiderationsforPracticingMindfulnesswithChildren

Plantingseeds(theywillabsorbitintheirownway)
Embodiedteachingonlyaskchildrentodosomethingyouhaveexperiencedyourself
Followchildrenslead
Teachersroleisofcolearner&guide
Invitationvs.behaviourmanagementtool
Ageconsiderations1minuteofmeditationperyearofage
Collaborativeratherthancompetitiveactivities
Parentalengagement
Usemovementlotsofmovement
Becreativeandhavefun

MindfulnesswithChildrenintheClassroom

Whatcanitlooklike?
Dailyroutine
8or10weekmindfulnesscourse
Integratedintothecurriculum
Teacherpracticeandcreatearoutineofusingitforparticularsituations(i.e.priorto
tests,presentations,etc.)
Peacecorner/BreathingRoom
Otherideasthatmayworkforyourclassrooms

TeachingMindfulnesstoChildrenHowtogetstarted

Cultivate/continueyourownmindfulnesspractice
Attendworkshopstrainingsspecificallyonhowtoteachmindfulnesstochildren
Experienceandpracticeanymindfulnessactivitiesbeforebringingthemtochildren
Practiceleadingexerciseswithothermindfulnesspractitionersandgetfeedback
Readlearnfrompeoplewhohavebeendoingthisforalongtime
Beopentofeedbackfromthechildren
Againcontinueyourownmindfulnesspracticeattendretreatswhenyouareable

Curricula&OngoingTraining

MindfulSchoolsSeeAdulttrainingonwebsite
InnerKidsSusanKaiserGreenland
TheInnerResilienceintheProjectLindaLantierri
Mindfulness&YogaforChildrenTeacherTrainingwithDaniealRechtschaffen&
JenniferCohen,OmegaCentre
StillQuietPlace(onlinetrainingavailable)AmySaltzman
MBSRTGinaBiegel
Yoga4KidsSheriLeBlanc
InterprofessionalcertificateinAppliedMindfulnessMeditation(Universityof
TorontoCon.Ed)MindfulnesswithCaregivers&ChildrenSaraMarlowe&
RachaelFrankford

MindfulnessPracticewithChildren
Copyright2011SaraMarloweMSW,RSW,www.mindfulfamilies.ca
 4
SamplePracticesforChildren

MindfulElements
(AdaptedfromDanielRechtschaffen&JenniferCohen)

Sittingtallandproudwhilelettingyourbodycomeintoacomfortableposition.
Lettinganytensionjustfloataway.
Gentlyclosingeyescloseorsofteningtheirgazedownwardtoaspotonthefloor.
Bringingawarenesstoyourbreath,noticingeveryinbreathandoutbreath.
Bringingtomindtheimageofamountainandfeelingwhatitisliketobeamountain.
Perhapsfeelingasifyouwerestrongandsolidlikeamountain.
Witheverybreathyoucanfeelmoreandmoresolidontheearth,feelingtheearthelements
inyourbody.
Then,bringingtomindtheimageofastilllakeandfeelingasifyouwerecalmandflowing
likealake.
Witheverybreath,imaginingyourselfcalmandserenelikethewaterelement.
Thenbringingtomindanimageofthesunandfeelingasifyourbodywasshininginall
directions.
Witheverybreath,feelingasifyourbodywasshimmeringliketheelementoffire.
Thenbringingtomindtheimageofleavesshakinginthewindandnoticingallthedifferent
sensationsmovingaroundyourbody.
Witheverybreath,noticingtheconstantlyshiftingsensationsofthewindelement.
Finally,imagineyouwerefloatinginouterspaceandfeelingthattherewasnothingaround
you,totallyspacious.
Witheverybreath,feelingasifyouwerefloatingandfeelingtheelementofspace.
Then,withthesoundofthebell,slowlyopeningyoureyesorraisingyourgazeandbringing
yourawarenessbackintotheroom.

Reflectingonthepractice:
Whatdidyounoticewhenyouwerefeelingtheseelements?
Weresomeelementseasierorhardertofeel?

Homeassignment:
Findaquietplaceinnature,orevennexttoaplant,andsitsilently.Openyoursensesand
interesttowhatthenaturalworldhastosay.

AwarenessofThoughts

Foryoungerchildren:

1. Writeanunhelpfulorunkindthoughtyouhavehadonaballoonandthenonthe
countofthree,letthemgotogether.
2. Blowunhelpfulorunkindthoughtsintobubblesandwatchthemdriftaway.
3. PeacefulPiggyMeditationbyKerryMaclean
4. MakemindinajarinstructionsinPeacefulPiggyMeditationbook

MindfulnessPracticewithChildren
Copyright2011SaraMarloweMSW,RSW,www.mindfulfamilies.ca
 5
Forteens:

Trainofthoughts(AdaptedfromtheStressreductionworkbookforteensbyGinaBiegel)

Peoplespendalotoftimeintheirheads,thinking.Whenyouspendsomuchtimethinking,
howmuchtimearelivingyourliferightnow?

WhenBaileywenttobedatnight,shehadaveryhadtimefallingasleep.Hertodolistwould
popup,anditwouldtakeheralongtimetogetittogoaway.Whenshegotupinthemorning,
shewasoftenreallytired.

Learningtoobserveyourthoughtsastheyarisewithoutaddingtothemortryingtopush
themawaycanreduceyourstress.Thisactivitycanhelp;youcanalsousethistechnique
anytimeyoufindyourselfdistractedbyyourthoughts.

Seatedinacomfortableposition,imagineyourselfsittingontopofahill.Onceyouhavethis
imageinyourmind,lookdownatthebottomofthehillandseeatraintrack.Pictureatrain
startingtopass.Asyouseeeachcargoby,thinkofitasoneofyourthoughts.Ifyoufindthat
onethoughtkeepspoppingbackup,justnoticeit.Youcansay,Oh,thisiswhatIamthinking
aboutrightnowheresanotherthought,thinkingandmoveon.Whenyounoticeyou
havejumpedonthetrainandarecaughtupinthecontentofthethought,gentlygetbackto
thetopeofthehill.

Baileytriedthisexercise.Shefoundthatwhenshejustnoticedherthoughtswithouttelling
herself,IneedtostopthinkingaboutthisorIllbetiredtomorrow,andsaidokay,Imnot
thinkingaboutthis,andjustnoticedit,ithelpedherfallasleepwithoutgettingstuckinthea
cycleofthinkingonandon.

Youcouldinviteteenstocreateavisualimagewheretheycreativelylistparticularlysticky
thoughtsthattheywouldliketoobservepassingbythemonthetrain.



Workingwithdifficultemotionsforkids

Samplelessonplan(Scaffolding):

Session6(outofan8weekgroup)
Feelingscheckintogivevocabulary
Feelingscharades
Mindfulnessawarenessofemotionsmeditationpractice(adaptedfromAmy
Saltzman,StillQuietPlace)
SillyBillybyAnthonyBrowne
WorryDollsartactivity
Timefordiscussionoverasnack

MindfulnessPracticewithChildren
Copyright2011SaraMarloweMSW,RSW,www.mindfulfamilies.ca
 6
GratitudePracticeforChildren

Eachday,thinkaboutandevenrecordthreethingsthatyoufeelgratefulforthingsthat
makeyouhappy.

Theycouldbehappyeventsthathappenedthatdaylikefungameatschool,orspecial
peopleinyourlife,somethingyoudidthatyouareproudof,apet,whateverbringsyoua
feelingofgratitude.Youmightevenconsiderstartingyourowngratitudejournalandaddto
iteachday.

Notetoeducatorsand/oraboutgratitudepractice.Childrencanbenefitfrombeing
encouragedtotakeamomenttopauseandreflectonwhatwentwellthatdayandsome
thingsthatmakethemhappy.Thispracticeisawaytonourishwellbeing,contentmentand
innerpeace(Hanson,2009).

Whatarethreethingsthatyoufeelgratefulfortoday?

1. ___________________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________________

Witholderchildrenandteens,youcouldalsoaskthemtoreflectonwhytheymighthave
happened.

LovingkindnessPracticeforCaregivers/Educators

Lovingkindessisapracticeofcultivatingcompassion,bothforourselvesandothers.Itcanbeeasyto
feelloveandcompassionwhenpeoplearedoingthingswelikeoractinginwaysthatwewantthem
to.Butthiscanbechallengingduringthosetimeswhenpeoplearentnecessarilyactinghowwe
wouldlikethemtoorwhenwearefacedwithaspectsofourselvesthatwefindhardtoaccept.

Justlikewepracticethecultivationofmindfulness,/presentmomentawareness,wecanalso
engageinpracticetocultivatecompassion,patienceandacceptanceforourselvesandothers.This
practiceisknownasMetta,orlovingkindnesspractice.
Itinvolvestherepetitionofphrases,andtappingintotheintentionbehindthem.

Withthispractice,itisalsoimportanttonoticeifanattachmenttoanoutcomearises;tonoticethat
andletitbe.Thepurposeofthepracticeistosupportusindevelopingcompassionforourselvesand
forothers,ratherthanexpectingotherstochangeasaresultofourpractice.

Belowisasampleoflovingkindessphrasesthatyoumightuse.Itisnottheactualwordsorphrases
thataremostimportant,butrathertheintentionbehindthem,sopleasefeelfreetousephrasesthat
resonatemostwithyou.Youcandotheentirepracticeinonesittingorperhapschoosetofocusona
specificsectionifthatfeelsmostrelevant.

MayI/you/webehappyandlivewithjoy
MayI/you/webehealthyandstrong
MayI/you/webesafeandprotected
MayI/you/webeatpeaceandlivewithease

MindfulnessPracticewithChildren
Copyright2011SaraMarloweMSW,RSW,www.mindfulfamilies.ca
 7
Forthefirstpartofthispractice,bringingintoyourmindseye,theimageofyourchildorastudent
duringatimeinwhichyoufeltveryconnectedtothem.Perhapsitwasapleasantexperiencethat
youshared,ormaybeamomentwhenyoufeltveryproudofthematimewhenyoufeltalotoflove
positivefeelingstowardsyourchild.Whileholdingthisimageofyourchildinyourmind,repeat
silentlythephrasesoflovingkindness.

Mayyoubehappyandlivewithjoy
Mayyoubehealthyandstrong
Mayyoubesafeandprotected
Mayyoubeatpeaceandlivewithease

Whenyouareready,inviteanimageofthesamechildduringadifficulttime.Perhapsyouarefeeling
angryordisappointedorfrightenedwithsomethingthattheyhavesaidordoneorsaddenedbya
choicetheyhavemade.Perhapsitwasatimeofconflictbetweenthetwoofyou.Whileholdingthis
imageofyourchildinyourmind,againrepeatthesamephrasesoflovingkindness.Seeifyoucan
inviteyourselftogenerateasenseofcompassion,eveninthemidstofachallengingtime.

Noticeifanystrugglesariseinthemind,orinthebody,whensayingthesephrases.Perhapsfeelings
ofrighteousnessorareluctancetoletgo.Seeifyoumightinviteyourselfbacktothephrases.
Practicingholdingontocompassion,amidstthedifficulttimes,whichareboundtohappen.

Now,bringinganimageofyourself,asaparentorcaregiverintoyourmindseyeduringatimewhen
youfeltverypositiveaboutyourselfasaparentorcaregiver.Perhapsatatimewhenyouwere
feelingconnected,responsive,attunedtoyourchildpleasedwithyourselfinyourroleas
parent/caregiver.Whileholdingthisimageofyourselfinyourmind,repeatthephrasesof
lovingkindness.

MayIbehappyandlivewithjoy
MayIbehealthyandstrong
MayIbesafeandprotected
MayIbeatpeaceandlivewithease

Ifyoudontremembertheexactwords,thatisokay,again,itistheintentionbehindtherepetitionof
thephrasesthatisthegoal.

Now,bringingintoyourmindseyeanimageofyourselfasaparent/educatorduringatimewhen
youwerenotsopleasedwithyourselfinasituation.Perhapsthisisatimethatyouflippedyourlid,
whenyourespondedtoyourchildinawaythatyouwishyouhadnt.Wecanoftenbeveryhardon
ourselvesinsuchmoments,veryjudgmental,andforgetthatinthesesituations,wearedoingthe
bestthatwecan.Wemayseeanotherparentinachallengingsituation,andourheartgoesoutto
them.Yet,whenwefindourselvesinasimilarsituation,wemaybeveryhardonourselves.Seeing
whatitmightbeliketobringcompassiontoourselvesevenduringthosetimeswhenwemaybe
stressed,maxedout,notnecessarilyatourbest.Notonlyreservingkindnessandcompassionfor
thosetimeswhenweareon,beingkindandgentleandforgivingwithourselveswhenwemaybe
havingahardtime.

Repeatingthesamelovingkindnessphraseswhileholdingontothisimageofourselves.

Ifyoufindthisverychallenging,andnoticejudgementcreepingin,perhapsbringintoyourminds
eyeisslightlylessdifficultorloadedsituationandseeifthatmightsupportthecultivationof
compassiontowardsyourself.

MindfulnessPracticewithChildren
Copyright2011SaraMarloweMSW,RSW,www.mindfulfamilies.ca
 8
Now,bringinginimageofyourentirefamily/class/schooltogether.Repeatingthelovingkindness
phrases,sendingloveandcompassiontoyourselfandyourfamily/class/schooltogether.

Maywebehappyandlivewithjoy
Maywebehealthyandstrong
Maywebesafeandprotected
Maywebeatpeaceandlivewithease

Resources

MindfulParentingBooks:(lotsofgreatideas&activitiesapplicabletoeducators)
EverydayBlessings:TheInnerWorkofMindfulParentingbyJonKabatZinn&MylaKabatZinn.
TheWholeBrainChild:12RevolutionaryStrategiestoNurtureYourChildsDevelopingMindby
DanSiegel
ParentingYourAnxiousChildwithMindfulnessandAcceptancebyChristopherMcCurry.
ParentingfromtheInsideOut:HowaDeeperSelfUnderstandingcanHelpyouRaiseChildrenWho
ThrivebyDanielSiegel&MaryHartzell.
TheJoyofParenting:AcceptanceandCommitmentTherapyGuidetoEffectiveParentinginthe
EarlyYearsbyKellyWilson,LisaCoyne&AmyMurrel.

RelatedParentingBooks:
BabyHearts:AGuidetogivingyourchildanemotionalheadstartintheearlyyearsbyLinda
Acredol&SusanGoodwyn
BrightfromtheStart:TheSimple,ScienceBackedWaytoNurtureYourChild'sDevelopingMind
fromBirthtoAge3byJillStamm

MindfulnessforChildren/TeensBooks
TheMindfulChildbySusanKaiserGreenland
PlantingSeeds:MindfulnessPracticewithChildrenbyThichNhatHanhandthePlumVillage
Community
StressReductionWorkbookforTeens:MindfulnessSkillstoHelpYouDealWithStressbyGina
Biegel
ChildsMind:mindfulnesspracticestohelpourchildrenbemorefocused,calm,andrelaxedby
ChristopherWillard
TheRelaxation&StressReductionWorkbookforKidsbyLawrenceShapiro&RobinSprague
Acceptanceandmindfulnesstreatmentsforchildrenandadolescents:Apractitionersguideby
ThomasH.Ollendick,StevenHayesandLaurieGreco
101RelaxationGamesforChildrenbyAllisonBartl
TheYogaAdventureforChildrenbyHelenPurperhart

MindfulnessBooksforEducators:
BuildingEmotionalIntelligence:TechniquestoCultivateInnerStrengthinChildrenbyLinaLantieri
MindfulTeaching&TeachingMindfulness:AGuideforAnyonewhoTeachesAnythingbyDeborah
Schoeberlain
TheMindfulTeacherbyElizabethMacDonald
HowtoTalksoKidsCanLearnbyAdeleFaber&ElaineMazlish(notmindfulnessperse,butgreat!)




MindfulnessPracticewithChildren
Copyright2011SaraMarloweMSW,RSW,www.mindfulfamilies.ca
 9
MindfulnessBooks:
ComingtoOurSensesbyJonKabatZinn
FullCatastropheLivingbyJonKabatZinn
Mindsight:TheNewScienceofPersonalTransformationbyDanielSiegel

ChildrensStorybooks:
AQuietPlacebyDouglasWoodandDanAndreasen
NoOrdinaryApplebySaraMarlowe(AvailableSpring2013)
ABoy&aBearbyLoriLite
TheThreeQuestions&ZenShortsbyJonJMuth
TaketheTime:MindfulnessforKidsbyMaudRoegiers
TheListeningWalkbyPaulShowers
WestlandiabyPaulFleischman
TheKidsYogaBookofFeelingsbyMaryHumphrey
OhthePlacesYoullGobyDr.Seuss
Oh,TheThinksyoucanthinkbyDr.Seuss
MyManyColoureddaysbyDr.Seuss
SillyBillybyAnthonyBrowne
PeacefulPiggyMeditation,MoodyCowMeditates&PeacefulPiggyYogabyKerryLeeMacLean
IsThereReallyaHumanRacebyJamieLeeCurtis&LauraCornell

PracticeCDs:
StillQuietPlace:mindfulnessforyoungchildrenbyAmySaltzman
StillQuietPlace:mindfulnessforteensbyAmySaltzman
MindfulnessforTeens:MeditationPracticestoReduceStressandPromoteWellBeingbyGina
Biegel
PracticeCDincludedwiththebookBuildingEmotionalIntelligencebyLinaLantieri
PracticeCDincludedwiththebookPlantingSeeds:byThichNhatHanh

WebSites:(Hereareafew.ButtherearenowMany!)

www.mindfuled.org www.mindfulfamilies.ca
www.mindfulschools.org www.stressfreekids.com
www.innerresiliencetidescenter.org www.stillquietplace.com
www.plantingseedsbook.org www.springrainsangha.com
www.susankaisergreenland.com www.dharma.org
www.seedsofcompassion.org www.eomega.org
www.mindfulparentscommunity.com www.garrisoninstitute.org

KEYTakeHomeMessages:

1. Teachwhatyouknowfromdirectexperience
2. TeachingMindfulnesstochildrencanbePLAYFUL

Themostpreciousgiftwecanofferisourpresence
ThichNhatHanh

MindfulnessPracticewithChildren
Copyright2011SaraMarloweMSW,RSW,www.mindfulfamilies.ca