Herricks Public Schools

 What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is paying attention, to the present moment, on purpose, without judgement. Mindfulness is being able to simply be in the moment, with whatever feelings and thoughts you may have. Mindfulness is about finding inner peace that ultimately can bring inner happiness.

Jon Kabat-Zinn: Defining Mindfulness

How Does Mindfulness Affect Children Academically, Socially and Emotionally?

Mindfulness allows the brain to be more accessible to learning, as it helps to clear the mind of distraction. Research suggests that mindfulness increases student achievement. It also strengthens children’s social skills to manage conflict in positive ways. Mindfulness helps children to learn to be comfortable with their thoughts and feelings, therefore increasing their overall self-esteem. The overall impact has great effects on children’s development at all ages.

Elementary Story and Picture Books:

A World Of Pausability by Dr. Frank Sileo
Be Still by Dr. Frank Sileo
Sleep Bubbles, Mind Bubbles and Heart Bubbles by Brandon Hurley
My Magic Breath: Finding Calm Through Mindful Breathing by Nick Ortner
Mindful Monkey, Happy Panda by Lauren Alderfer
I am Peace by Susan Verde
Puppy Mind by Andrew Jordan Nance
What Does It Mean to Be Present? By Rana DiOrio
A Handful of Quiet by Thich Nhat Hanh

Secondary Age Books:

The Mindful Teen by Dzung X. VO, MD.FAAP
Be Mindful Deck for Teens by Gina M. Biegel

Adult Books:

Mediation Is Not What You Think by Jon Kabbat-Zin
Finding Peace in a Frantic World by Mark Williams and Danny Penman

Mindfulness Apps:

	Smiling Mind
	Mindyeti
	Headspace

Mindfulness Websites:

https://www.mindful.org
https://headspace.com/meditation/kids
https://headspace.com

Go Noodle - Videos to guide you through different mindfulness activities

● Rainbow Breath
● Melting
● Bring it Down
● On & Off
● Swirling

Youtube- Search for “mindfulness for kids”