Sunday, March 10, 2019

Social Emotional Learning (SEL): Mindfulness Activities at Challenger Middle School

Mindfulness activities in schools have surged in popularity due to the numerous benefits on SEL skills, such as attention and emotional regulation. Many researchers are trying to better understand the impact of mindfulness activities in schools. The research is promising, especially in an article by Jha, A. P., Krompinger, J., & Baime, M. J. (2007). Mindfulness training modifies subsystems of attention. Cognitive, Affective, & Behavioral Neuroscience, 7(2), 109–119. Challenger Middle School and their counseling team coordinated a mental health awareness day that involved yoga, deep breathing and a labyrinth walk. Students who learned these skills will have additional tools to cope with the challenges of life.