The Youth News program recently made a segment about the subject. In the video, it is explained how more and more schools in Australia are giving a mindfulness lesson every day. During these lessons, pupils lie on the floor and listen to calm music. This allows them to relax completely for a while.
A teacher named Kathy also speaks, and she has been teaching this lesson for three years. She clearly notices an effect. “At first, children were very restless after the break. But when they meditate, they calm down and can learn better.” The pupils are also happy with the lessons. One boy says that he sometimes does it at home now too, and a girl says that it makes her feel calm in her head.
According to experts, mindfulness not only helps combat stress at a young age, but also continues to benefit you later in life. In the video, an expert explains that many adults who experience stress never learned as children how to become calm.
Mindfulness is also already being used in education in the Netherlands. De Nieuwe Meso, a professional journal for school leaders and administrators, published this article about it in March 2016.
The following videos are also interesting to watch for inspiration:
- Applying mindfulness at the Amsterdam Troelstra School.
- Short documentary about mindfulness in Flemish schools.
- TEDx talk by the British Richard Burnett, co-founder of the project Mindfulness in schools.