Focused Classrooms ~ Mindful Learning ~ Resilient Children
What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness:
Although definitions of mindfulness are plentiful and may vary across settings and disciplines, a common theme across all of the existing definitions is that mindfulness is a way of directing attention. Mindfulness is considered to be a state of consciousness that incorporates self-awareness and attention with a core characteristic of being open, receptive, and non-judgemental (e.g. Brown & Ryan, 2003; Kabat-Zinn 1990).
Burke (2010) states that there are 3 major components of mindfulness:
Attitude - "Mindfulness practice is grounded in particular attitudinal foundations, which include non-judgement, acceptance, trust, patience, non-striving, curiosity and kindliness" (p. 134) (Bishop et al, 2004; Kabat-Zinn, 1990; Shapiro et al, 2006)
Attention - "includes focused, broad, and sustained attention, and skills in switching attention form one stimulus to another" (p. 134)
Intention - "conscious intention extends from an intention to practice, to the intentionality one brings to directing, sustaining or switching attention. Intentional attention can be considered as the self-regulation of attention" (Bishop et al, 2004).
Burke (2010) states that there are 3 major components of mindfulness:
Attitude - "Mindfulness practice is grounded in particular attitudinal foundations, which include non-judgement, acceptance, trust, patience, non-striving, curiosity and kindliness" (p. 134) (Bishop et al, 2004; Kabat-Zinn, 1990; Shapiro et al, 2006)
Attention - "includes focused, broad, and sustained attention, and skills in switching attention form one stimulus to another" (p. 134)
Intention - "conscious intention extends from an intention to practice, to the intentionality one brings to directing, sustaining or switching attention. Intentional attention can be considered as the self-regulation of attention" (Bishop et al, 2004).
What is MindUp?
MindUp is a comprehensive, classroom-tested, evidence-based curriculum framed around 15 easily implemented lessons that foster social and emotional awareness, enhance psychological well-being, and promote academic success.
"In particular, MindUP pursues objectives roughly parallel to those of the five-point framework of competencies laid out in the work of the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL; www.casel.org), a not-for-profit organization at the forefront in efforts to advance the science - and evidence- based practice of social and emotional learning." (MindUP, 2011, p.8)
"In particular, MindUP pursues objectives roughly parallel to those of the five-point framework of competencies laid out in the work of the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL; www.casel.org), a not-for-profit organization at the forefront in efforts to advance the science - and evidence- based practice of social and emotional learning." (MindUP, 2011, p.8)
How Does MindUp Work?
The essential work of the MindUp program is accomplished through the lessons themselves, which include the repetition of the Core Practice-deep belly breathing and attentive listening.
Each MindUp lesson begins with background information on the brain, introducing a specific area of concentration with an activity in which children can see concrete examples of how their brain functions.
MindUp is dedicated to the belief that a child who can learn to monitor his or her senses and feelings becomes more aware and better understands how to respond to the world reflectively instead of reflexively.
Each MindUp lesson begins with background information on the brain, introducing a specific area of concentration with an activity in which children can see concrete examples of how their brain functions.
MindUp is dedicated to the belief that a child who can learn to monitor his or her senses and feelings becomes more aware and better understands how to respond to the world reflectively instead of reflexively.
Who Needs MindUp?
- Everyone! From an early age children experience stress from a range of sources. Whatever the particular circumstance, any one factor could negatively affect a child's ability to learn without anxiety.
- MindUp addresses some potential life obstacles to productive learning and living by offering children and teachers simple practices and insights that become tools for self-management and self-possession. The Mindup Program works to make learning joyful and fun by emphasizing learning modes in which children flourish: Lively instruction that invites problem solving, discussion and exploration; teaching modeling and coaching; cross-age mentoring and decision making amoung children; conflict resolution; and inquiry and the arts.