We use Smiling Mind Curriculum for Schools in our classrooms. Mindfulness can be a vital component of social and emotional learning (SEL). It supports each of the five key areas: Self-awareness, Self-management, relationship skills and responsibility and decision making.

“Mindfulness is paying attention to the present moment with openness, curiosity and without judgement”.

There are two parts to this definition: The first is attention. Learning to focus attention on one thing and bring the attention back to that one thing when the mind gets distracted by thoughts, feelings, or something else in your environment. It’s the opposite to being on automatic pilot. Our mind and body are connected. The second part is about the attitude you bring to paying attention – being open, non-judging, and curious about your experience. Our aim is to practise non-reactivity, being at ease with what we are experiencing at any time, be it uncomfortable emotions and thoughts or pleasant ones. These attitudes of mindfulness help us to sit with the uncomfortable. Mindfulness is not about making things go away but learning to be with the experience and know it come and go.

Mindfulness and the Brain

Research has shown that practising mindfulness strengthen areas of the brain that control ‘executive function’ – the mental skills that help us get things done i.e. paying attention, organising, planning, initiating tasks and staying focused on them, regulating emotions, and keeping track of what you’re doing. It also leads to better attention, memory, increased cognitive flexibility, ability to regulate emotions and self awareness.