top of page

The Blog

Practicing Mindfulness with Your Students

The art of mindfulness can be tricky for everyone - students and adults alike! It can be so easy for us all to get caught up in the business of everyday tasks and the big emotions of conflicts and overwhelm. Teaching and practicing mindfulness with our students is a great way to ensure a calm and mindful classroom setting.


Here are a few strategies to help your students stay mindful throughout the day:


Mindful Senses

Our Wheel of Awareness Anchor Chart

Our Wheel of Awareness Anchor Chart

Using visuals helps our students learn self-awareness and how mindfulness can affect all parts of the body. Our Wheel of Awareness brings students to connect with their bodies and stay calm and aware throughout their mindfulness practices.












Mindfulness 5 Anchor Chart

Mindfulness 5 Anchor Chart

Count back from 5. Have students practice mindfulness by naming 5 things they can see, 4 things they can touch, 3 things they can hear, 2 things they can smell, and 1 thing they can taste. Model and practice with your kiddos in your morning meetings or mindful moments throughout the day!











Sensing Our Way to. a State of Calm in Our Classroom Anchor Chart

Sensing Out Way to a State of Calm In Our Classroom Anchor Chart

This visual is a great expansion of the Mindfulness 5 Anchor Chart. When practicing mindfulness with students, write down some of the things they are sensing to give students ideas of how to stay calm and mindful throughout the day by practicing mindfulness.










Mindful Breaths

Anyone who has ever tried it can tell you there’s a lot of power in a deep cleansing breath. For kids, deep breathing is a great way to get them to focus on something else in the moment rather than “the thing” (or things) that are making them sad, mad, or frustrated. Breathing calms children by physically slowing them down. To practice deep breathing, they must stop whatever they are doing to complete the exercise.

 

  • Reduced feelings of anxiety and overwhelm

  • Lowered stress levels

  • Relaxed muscles

  • Increased energy levels

 

What Types of Breaths Should I Take? Anchor Chart

What Types of Breaths Should I Take? Anchor Chart

When you introduce these mindful breathing exercises to your students, be sure to do so outside of an emotionally charged situation.

 

Instead, introduce these breathing exercises during calm moments when your students will be receptive to the information and are willing to practice them along with you. Preparing them ahead of time will leave them better equipped to handle situations when they arise — even when you’re not around.







Mindfulness Tools

Give your students effective and practical examples and non-examples of what mindfulness looks like throughout the day.

Mind FULL or Mindful Anchor Chart

Mind FULL or Mindful Anchor Chart

Is your mind full or are you practicing being present and mindful? Ask your students about the thoughts that circle their brains while they're in the classroom, at home, or after school. Describe what it means to be mindful and present and give your students an opportunity to describe their own mindful moments!












These visuals are a great way to introduce, teach, and continue practicing mindfulness throughout the school year. Try it out with your students and let us know how it goes!


You can get access to more anchor charts and ideas through my FREE Anchor Chart Bundle!



 

Want more of this content? Join our free Facebook and Instagram communities to hear more from Kim and other like-minded and heart-centered educators and parents!


Want to stay in the loop? Join our email list on our homepage to get the latest tips, tricks, and strategies to support social and emotional learning!



Disclaimer: The resources and ideas found on this website are all research-based and vetted with a parent and educator lens. The tools listed have worked for students and children that I work with; however, each child is different. This list is not exhaustive and is a compilation of ideas and strategies to try in schools or at home. No information on this website should be used as medical advice. I am not a clinical psychologist, but I do work alongside them as thought partners in this journey.

Comments


About

Kim Gameroz is a change agent for schools and districts who seek to revolutionize classrooms by taking on a systematic approach to teaching social and emotional skills.

1S1A7015.jpg
1S1A7020.jpg
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
bottom of page