Teaching Students to be Mindful and Conscious Learners

According to recent research, a growing number of school-aged children are experiencing a plethora of social, emotional, and behavioral problems that interfere with school success, interpersonal relationships, as well as the potential to become competent adults and productive citizens.   

Many Students are Passive Learners

What's more, many students are passive learners who mindlessly attend classes and complete the work.  As a result, a growing number of young learners are unmotivated to learn, struggle with encoding academic content, and have trouble getting the grades that they desire.  

So what can we do to help these students?  A simple strategy is to teach learners to be mindful and conscious of their academic approach.

What is Mindful or Conscious Learning?  

Mindful or conscious learning is a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and sensations.   When taught to young learners, recent research suggests that training in this method can help students:

1. foster empathy for peers and others

2. reduce stress

3. increase attentional abilities

4. improve emotional regulation and social behaviors

5. boost motivation

6. raise grades

How Can This Skill Be Taught?

The best ways to teach children to be mindful and in the moment are to be fully present and share your own thought processes.  In addition, you can implement short meditations where you encourage learners to be aware of their breath and just observe their thoughts. 

Ready-Made Materials

You can now bring conscious learning into your classes or individualized sessions with Multisensory Brain Break Meditations   

Teaching children the skill of mindfulness can help them in school, but it will also help them to control and manage their emotions and physical state of being for the rest of their lives.  If you have had any experience using mindfulness in the classroom, please leave a comment.