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A few weeks ago a friend wrote me after reading the infographic I made with 15 tricks to improve care, commenting that, from their point of view and something he would have added relaxation or mindfulness practice when you get home, or begin classes.

As he told me, It is true that when the kids arrive from school, usually they do very fast, we as adults once they feel intend to do homework, but maybe, before, We should leave a few minutes to relax, down the pace and, then, get to work.

It is important to know that I am not an expert in Mindfulness. This article is a compilation of activities and resources, from my point of view, I think they may find useful.

What is Mindfulness?

First, it is important to define what is Mindfulness. If you do a quick search, We find the following definitions.

Wikipedia: "The mindfulness or mindfulness as a psychological concept is the concentration of attention and awareness, based on the concept of mindfulness or full awareness of Buddhist meditation. It has been popularized in the West by Jon Kabat-Zinn. Despite being rooted in Buddhism, Mindfulness teaches devoid of any component or oriental and religious terminology. "

Mindfulness Society and Health, It gives us a very simple and clear definition: "Mindfulness is the ability to consciously pay attention to the experience of the present moment forward, curiosity and acceptance. "

Once seen this, Why should we use mindfulness in the classroom and what benefits it offers.

Why use Mindfulness in the Classroom?

Many studies have shown that Mindfulness practice improves self-control and relaxation, It reduces stress and enhances the activity of the prefrontal cortex circuits, which they are essential for sustaining attention. All this, favors the concentration of children and, therefore, improve their learning.

Further, the practice of mindfulness for children:

• Mitigates the effects of bullying.
• Reduces problems with attention and concentration improves children with ADHD.
• Improve health and mental well-being.
• Improves social skills of children.

Using Mindfulness?

There are many techniques and exercises to put into practice mindfulness. I'll leave some very secillitas so you can do during 5 minutes at the start of your classes or to get home.

Before performing these activities it is essential to "prepare" both space and your students for the moment of meditation. For it, it is essential that:

• Explain to the kids, what are you going to do, why are you going to do and how.
• Collect toys or anything that may distract.
• Establish a routine. Try to always be at the same time.
• Activities adapted to the age of your students.
• Preach by example. You also must meditate with them.
• When meditation ends with an activity they like.
• Tell your experiences with meditation and mindfulness.

1. Rebirthing.

Ask the children to focus on your breathing, imagine a boat sailing, as this seesaw to the rhythm of the waves, and her breathing accompanies this barquito.

2. Analyze your body.

Tumbaros on the floor face up, close your eyes, asks the children to concentrate on tightening the muscles of your body everything they can, after that relax and focus on how your body feels.

3. Follow the beat.

Leap up and down for one minute. You can also do jumping jacks (jumping jacks). Sit down and put a hand on the heart, Close your eyes and pay attention to the heartbeat and breathing.

4. We are superheroes.

Tell your students that you are going to be superheroes. You can pretend to be Superman (an arm up and the other down) y Superwoman (arms akimbo). Explain that they should focus on their five senses, while they feel your breath. Then they must explain how they felt.

5. Jar of "consciousness"

Fill a jar of water, añadid a dollop of glitter. Agitadlo exit it well and to rotate the purpurina. Explain that they should think that the jar is like your mind, sometimes chaotic,, therefore, we can not see things clearly; but other times it is "seated", purpurin as when settles at the bottom and, then, We can see everything more clearly and from another perspective.

6. ¡We'll Safari!

Take advantage of an excursion or field trip to make the children aware of all the stimuli around them. We must teach children to value all, the sound of birds, animals and insects. Teach them to concentrate on what they find on their way.

I hope these activities and resources serve you to go slowly introducing meditation and mindfulness at home or in class.

Tell me how you are and what are accepted by your kids!

Thanks for being there.

Sources consulted:

http://www.mindfulness-salud.org

https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mindfulness_(psicolog%C3%ADa)

https://www.ted.com/topics/mindfulness

https://positivepsychologyprogram.com

"Educating the mind without educating the heart, It is not educated at all ".

Aristotle

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Tags: activities, Attention, concentration, meditation, mind, mindfulness, girls, Children, means, educational resources

This entry was posted on Sunday, February 18th, 2018 at 1:49 pm and is filed under Means. You can follow any comments to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.