What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us.

What is Junior Academy doing to practice mindfulness at school?

At Junior Academy, we have incorporated Mindful Moments into each school day. Mindful Moments consist of two 10-minute periods per day. Students can relieve stress and calm themselves by finding a comfortable position with their eyes either open or closed and participating in breathing exercises. Students are also encouraged to think about their feelings as well as focus on their intentions for the day. Mindful Moments are taught through the teacher or by mindfulness apps called Headspace and GoNoodle

Why is mindfulness important for my child?

We feel that these Mindful Moments have had a great impact on student on many levels and contribute to their overall happiness. The purpose of teaching mindfulness to our students is:

• To give them skills to develop their awareness of their inner and outer experiences.
• To understand how emotions manifest in their bodies and to recognize when their attention has wandered as well as to provide tools for control.
• We have seen an improvement in student’s attention, mood, self-regulation and learning

What benefits are students seeing?

In a class of 12, 9 students reported a positive outcome of Mindful Moment. Below are some testimonials from students who have benefited from participating in Mindful Moments:

“The Headspace program is very helpful to make me feel calm and to feel mindful in the morning. I find it very useful in the morning. It makes me less anxious and nervous.”

“I feel quiet & calm.”

“It makes me feel calmer & safer.”

“Mindfulness makes me calm and relaxed. It helps me control myself when I get angry. Mindfulness makes me less anxious.”

8 Things to Know About Mindfulness:

1. Mindfulness is not obscure or exotic. It’s familiar to us because it’s what we already do, how we already are. It takes many shapes and goes by many names.
2. Mindfulness is not a special added thing we do. We already have the capacity to be present, and it doesn’t require us to change who we are. But we can cultivate these innate qualities with simple practices that are scientifically demonstrated to benefit ourselves, our loved ones, our friends and neighbors, the people we work with, and the institutions and organizations we take part in
3. You don’t need to change. Solutions that ask us to change who we are or become something we’re not have failed us over and over again. Mindfulness recognizes and cultivates the best of who we are as human beings.
4. Mindfulness has the potential to become a transformative social phenomenon. Here’s why:
5. Anyone can do it. Mindfulness practice cultivates universal human qualities and does not require anyone to change their beliefs. Everyone can benefit and it’s easy to learn.
6. It’s a way of living.  Mindfulness is more than just a practice. It brings awareness and caring into everything we do—and it cuts down needless stress. Even a little makes our lives better.
7. It’s evidence-based. We don’t have to take mindfulness on faith. Both science and experience demonstrate its positive benefits for our health, happiness, work, and relationships.
8. It sparks innovation. As we deal with our world’s increasing complexity and uncertainty, mindfulness can lead us to effective, resilient, low-cost responses to seemingly intransigent problems.