In a blog post last week we spoke about the role of social and emotional learning (SEL) at the Bob Burdette Center. One way we implement SEL is by teaching mindfulness techniques to our students. Mindfulness is an important skill for children to learn, as it helps improve focus, supports emotional regulation, and reduces stress.
Mindfulness is often depicted as being strictly meditation. While meditation is one form of mindfulness, it is just one example. Other ways to encourage mindfulness in children include breathing exercises, coloring sheets, journaling, and offering quiet spaces where kids can take a moment to reset. At the Bob Burdette Center, we offer worksheets that help students identify their feelings and learn how to process their emotions.
Mindfulness is not something that can be taught once and last forever. It is a skill that must be practiced and developed over time. We do not expect perfection or for children to never act out. Our goal is to help them understand what they are feeling and learn how to manage their emotions in a healthy way. Children are going to make mistakes, and we want to be a safe place where they can grow. You can learn more about the importance of mindfulness in children and explore practices that can be done at home here.