Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/a-b-c-ommmmm...-mindfulness-in-the-classroom/5025723/
*Photos can be found in the pdf version of this article.
Teachers of young children are charged with providing young children’s first experiences in group settings, and are responsible for children’s academic and social-emotional development, which includes helping children identify and manage their moods. Children intuitively follow the lead of their teacher; they set the tone for the classroom and can impact the mood of the children in their care. While those of us who adore working with young children find much joy in our profession, at times, teaching can be stressful. Even when teachers think they are not outwardly showing signs of stress, children may pick up on their teacher’s stress. One method for mitigating teacher stress and supporting children’s development is engaging in mindfulness practices.
Mindfulness is the purposeful awareness of and attention to the present moment without judgment (Kabat-Zinn, 2015). Mindfulness is important to our concentration throughout the day. Often, our attention swings back and forth between the past and the future, never really stopping to focus on the present moment. This can cause worry over things that have already occurred or anxiety about things that need to get done. These emotions can keep us from enjoying, fully participating ...