Mindfulness, a practice that has roots in ancient meditation traditions, is now widely
recognized for its remarkable benefits in the realm of education. For children impacted by
learning differences, there benefits are particularly profound, enhancing focus, self-regulation,
and emotional well-being. In this blog post, we will delve into the science behind mindfulness
and share practical strategies that you can seamlessly eave mindfulness into you child’s
everyday routine.
Understanding Mindfulness
Mindfulness refers to the practice of intentionally focusing on the present moment in a non-
judgmental way (Kabat-Zinn, 1994).
Developing mindfulness can help students cultivate greater awareness of their thoughts’
emotions, and bodily sensations, enabling them to manage their reactions and make more
conscious choices.
The Neuroscience of Mindfulness
Recent studies of the brain reveal hoe mindfulness can impact neurological structures relates to attention, self-regulation, and emotional processing. Exciting research from 2019 shows that a consistent mindfulness practice can increase the density of the prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain responsible for executive functions like decision-making, focus, and impulse control (Boccia, Piccardi, & Guariglia, 2019).
In children with learning differences, the prefrontal cortex may be underdeveloped, or function differently compared to their peers. This can result in struggles with tasks that require planning, decision-making, and self-control. This is where mindfulness can prove to be exceptionally beneficial.
By encouraging regular mindfulness practices, we can actively engage and exercise the
prefrontal cortex. Just as consistent physical activity strengthens muscles, mindfulness training can help enhance the functions of this crucial brain area. This training can lead to tangible improvements in areas where these students may struggle, such as maintaining focus in class, managing their emotions, and navigating social interactions.
Therefore, for students with unique learning profiles, mindfulness practice isn’t just a soothing
activity. It’s a vital part of supporting their neurodevelopment and aiding them in reaching their
academic and personal potential.
Mindfulness Techniques for Learners
Here are a few simple, practical strategies that you can use to introduce mindfulness to your
child:
Mindful Breathing: Guide your child to focus on their breath, noticing the sensation of air entering and leaving their body. This can be a calming activity to help them refocus their attention. There are so many great YouTube videos for kids with mindful breathing exercises. Here are two of my favorites!
o For younger students: https://youtu.be/Mwp9Cmgz2cw
o For older students: https://youtu.be/cEqZthCaMpo
Body Scan: Encourage your child to slowly bring their attention to different parts of their body, stating from the toes and moving up to the head. This can promote body awareness and relaxation. Here is a great example:
Mindful Walking: During a walk, prompt your child to focus on the sensation of their feet touching the ground (its best to do this without shoes- which has other brain benefits), the sounds around them, and the feeling of the wind or sun on their skin. This can be made into a fun game, for example:
o Rainbow walk: As you walk along work together to find objects, following rainbow
order, for example red fire truck, orange traffic cone, yellow bus, and so on.
o Countdown walk: Each person says 5 things they see on the walk, 5 things they
can physically feel, 3 things they can hear, 2 things they can smell, and 1 thing they
can taste.
Integrating Mindfulness into Daily Routines
Incorporating mindfulness into daily routines can be as simple as taking a few moments to
breathe mindfully before stating homework or practicing a body scan at bedtime. Consistency is key, and even a few minutes of practice each day can make a significant difference.
Encourage a Mindful School Environment
Encourage your child’s school and teacher to incorporate mindfulness into their curriculum.
Share this blog with them, along with other resources like Mindful Schools (https://www.mindfulschools.org/) an organization dedicated to training educators in
mindfulness.
References
Boccia, M., Piccardi, L., & Guariglia, P. (2019). The meditative mind: a comprehensive meta-analysis of MRI studies. Biomed Res Int, 2019.
Kabat-Zinn, J. (1994). Wherever you go, there you are: Mindfulness meditation in everyday life.
Hyperion.
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