Activity 1.4 Resources by Sesame Street (referenced on pg 30)
Belly Breathe Song - YouTube link Breathe, Think, Do App - Google Play or iTunes Store Funding for mindfulness programs (referenced on pg 24) We have included some of the mindfulness programs schools can apply for that we are aware of. If you know of others we should add to the list, just send us a note! We are happy to include them. All It Takes Is 20 Mindful Minutes a Day with Mindfulness Expert Andy Puddiecombe Andy Puddicombe at the TEDSalon, London, Fall 2012. Says, “The sad fact is that we’re so distracted that we are no longer present in the world in which we live. We miss out on the things that are most important to us. The crazy thing is, people assume that’s just the way life is. But that’s not really how it has to be.” In this fantastic talk, Puddicombe shares his personal journey and how 10 minutes of clearing your mind and being fully present can lead to a happier and healthier you. Edutopia Edutopia has several supporting pdf documents that will help teachers get started in mindfulness created by educators from Vistacion Valley Middle School, in San Francisco. Including a parent letter, teacher tips, bell schedule and more. Smiling Mind School Program Smiling Mind is a free Australian resource to help promote mindfulness adults and students of all ages. The Smiling Mind Education Program is a nonprofit organization that offers lessons, meditations, and activities designed to promote mindfulness. The program has documented success in classrooms worldwide. The website and supporting app are easy to follow and broken down by age groups. .b (dot-be) Stop, Breathe and Be! (Mindfulness in Schools Project) This school program was brought to our attention by a workshop participant from Vienna. She relates that the program has transformed her school’s ninth-grade program and because of its success will soon be extended to all grades in her district. The .b is an awareness-raising exercise to help students understand the benefits and practice of mindfulness. It is a program that teachers can attend to earn certification. Goldie Hawn’s MindUP MindUP™ is a research-based training program for educators and children. This 15 lesson program based on neuroscience, allows students to practice social and emotional skills like self-regulation, empathy, compassion, and optimism. MindUP™ lessons align with all state standards and Common Core. Goldie Hawn and Dan Siegel at TEDMED Goldie Hawn and Dan Siegel talk about the power of mindfulness to help children focus, battle stress, and control negative emotions. They give a good overview of how the brain affects learning and productivity and why Hawn’s MindUp™ program has proven effective. Siegel makes a compelling argument for why all schools should be more focused on helping students develop reflection, relationships, and resilience. Teachers should also consider sharing this resource with parents. Greater Good-Mindfulness Quiz Greater Good has published a quick online quiz you can take to familiarize yourself with the concepts and applications of mindfulness as well as get a score to show you where you rank on the Greater Good scale. It is interesting and fun. The quiz is a great resource to give to parents as well. Mindful Schools The Mindful Schools organization has been in place since 2007 and has helped students, teachers, parents, and communities learn about moment-by-moment awareness of thoughts, emotions, bodily sensations, and the surrounding environment. Its courses are for under-resourced public schools facing high turnover rates and toxic stress. The courses are offered throughout the year for a fee. The website has several free resources and recommended readings. Plum Village Mindfulness Resource Center Plum Village, near Bordeaux in southwestern France, is the first monastic community founded by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh (Thay) in the West. The website offers free informative audio podcasts, videos, and other resources to help both adults and children understand the concept of practicing mindfulness. Teaching the ABCs of Attention, Balance, and Compassion: Susan Kaiser Greenland at TEDxStudioCityED The author of The Mindful Child (2010) and founder of the Inner Kids program, Susan Kaiser Greenland speaks at a TEDx Studio City ED event on the new ABC’s (Attention, Balance, and Compassion) and how they impact the classroom. Can We Auto-Correct Humanity? In less than four minutes, Prince Ea uses spoken word to show how disconnected humans are from each other because of our fixation on digital connectedness. His observations are poignant and insightful. This is a powerful video to show students how to start a discussion or have them create a reaction project. |
Apps to Help With Mindfulness
Dedra and Debbie love using technology to keep us on track and mindful. The app store is ever changing, and new apps are released every week. We have highlighted a few of the top rated apps that we found useful to support mindfulness. If you have a great app you would like to share email us or Tweet us @tchkidstothrive 10% Happier
Learn the basics of meditation and mindfulness with daily video lessons. The 10% Happier app has a live coach to keep you motivated. The app is free, but after the trail there is a monthly fee. Daily video lessons teach the essentials of meditation and mindfulness. Because self-discipline isn’t always enough, you will also get a live coach to help you follow through. Start for free, and later decide if you want to subscribe for a monthly fee. Headspace Using mindfulness techniques, this app shows you how to train your mind for a healthier, happier, more enjoyable life. There are ten free ten-minute meditations with the opportunity to purchase more in-depth meditations. The app provides you with a way to track your progress and connect with your friends to encourage meditation. Insight Timer Sometimes the hardest part of mindfulness is staying present for your chosen length of time. Insight Timer is a meditation timer and mindfulness guide that allows users to share their meditation times with friends for as a form of social validation and accountability. Smiling Mind Smiling Mind is a perfect way to get started with meditation. The organization has a wonderful website and a supporting app designed for ages 7 to 18 by a team of psychologists with expertise in youth and adolescent therapy. It helps students deal with the everyday stresses in their world. Meditations are designed by age group. Each session starts with a series of questions to focus the mind. Stop, Breathe, & Think This app offers the basics of meditation, featuring a range of exercises from easy and quick to full length in-depth sessions. The app has a check-in feature where the user inputs feelings and then the app suggests several practices based on the input. Take a Chill This app is designed to give teens tools to help manage real-life stressful situations – from schoolwork to interacting with peers. With the app, teens can set daily reminders to prompt themselves to practice mindfulness throughout the day. |