Mindfulness Matters
Date
2022-05-31
Authors
Symington, Rosemary
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Abstract
Feelings of stress and anxiety have increased in children during the COVID-19 pandemic. The lockdown and subsequent months of uncertainty have changed the way people interact. Social distancing, mask-wearing, and the inability to freely socialise how children could before the pandemic have created an extra layer of stress and trauma while educators, parents, and students are navigating returning to school. This project focuses on the practice of mindfulness by considering how Jon Kabat-Zinn’s nine attitudes of mindfulness can help children feel grounded and assist them in living authentically in the present moment. This inquiry into mindfulness as situated within curriculum studies and educational philosophies focuses on embodied practices of being non-judging of our thoughts, demonstrating acceptance and patience, seeing the world with a beginner’s mind, trusting in the process of meditation while non-striving for any particular outcome. Letting go of expectations, doubts, fears, and feeling gratitude and generosity when experiencing life fully in the present moment may assist children to shift from human doings to human beings connected to the world and showing resilience during challenging times. A 64-oracle card deck entitled “Sentiments from the Sea” with three-word mantras has been created to help children develop mindfulness at home or in the classroom.
Keywords: mindfulness, Jon Kabat-Zinn, compassion, gratitude, sea-life oracle cards
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Keywords
Mindfulness, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Elementary students, Education, Compassion, Gratitude