Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
HeartsandMindsThinkTank:TheSterlingInstitute
November1,2011
SaraMarlowe,MSW,RSW
www.mindfulfamilies.ca
info@mindfulfamilies.ca
4162806456
2
TheAttitudinalFoundationsofMindfulnessPractice
Bypracticingmindfulawarenessthroughsittingmeditationwelearntocultivatethe
followingattitudestowardsourlifeexperience.
Nonjudging:Impartialwitnessingofthoughtsandfeelings;withkindnessand
intentionality,resistingtheinclinationtojudgeandcriticizeourexperience.
Patience:Restinginthewisdomthatthingsneedtounfoldintheirowntimeandallowing
forthisprocesstohappen.
Beginnersmind:Theabilitytoseethingsasifforthefirsttimewithasenseofcuriosityand
genuineinterest.Allowingforpreconceivedideastonotinfluenceourdirectexperienceof
thepresentmoment.
Trust:Recognizingourowninnerwisdomandabilitytoguideourselvesinthepracticeof
knowingourminds.
Nonstriving:Allowingoneselftobeonthepathwithdirectionbutalsobeinginthepresent
momenteachstepoftheway.
Acceptance:Permittingthatwhateverarisesinyourexperiencetobefullypresent,no
matterwhatyourreactionmaybe,includingresistance.
Lettinggo:Recognizingtheinclinationtoholdontoexperiences,whetherpositiveor
negative,andallowingoneselftoletgoofwhatisnotneededorhelpful.
Connectedtoeachoftheseattitudinalfoundationsis:COMPASSION
SuggestionforReflection:Howmighttheapplicationoftheseattitudinalfoundationsbe
beneficialinyourroleasaneducator?
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MindfulnessPracticewithChildren
Copyright2011SaraMarloweMSW,RSW,www.mindfulfamilies.ca
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SomeConsiderationsforPracticingMindfulnesswithChildren
Plantingseeds(theywillabsorbitintheirownway)
Embodiedteachingonlyaskchildrentodosomethingyouhaveexperiencedyourself
Followchildrenslead
Teachersroleisofcolearner&guide
Invitationvs.behaviourmanagementtool
Ageconsiderations1minuteofmeditationperyearofage
Collaborativeratherthancompetitiveactivities
Parentalengagement
Usemovementlotsofmovement
Becreativeandhavefun
MindfulnesswithChildrenintheClassroom
Whatcanitlooklike?
Dailyroutine
8or10weekmindfulnesscourse
Integratedintothecurriculum
Teacherpracticeandcreatearoutineofusingitforparticularsituations(i.e.priorto
tests,presentations,etc.)
Peacecorner/BreathingRoom
Otherideasthatmayworkforyourclassrooms
TeachingMindfulnesstoChildrenHowtogetstarted
Cultivate/continueyourownmindfulnesspractice
Attendworkshopstrainingsspecificallyonhowtoteachmindfulnesstochildren
Experienceandpracticeanymindfulnessactivitiesbeforebringingthemtochildren
Practiceleadingexerciseswithothermindfulnesspractitionersandgetfeedback
Readlearnfrompeoplewhohavebeendoingthisforalongtime
Beopentofeedbackfromthechildren
Againcontinueyourownmindfulnesspracticeattendretreatswhenyouareable
Curricula&OngoingTraining
MindfulSchoolsSeeAdulttrainingonwebsite
InnerKidsSusanKaiserGreenland
TheInnerResilienceintheProjectLindaLantierri
Mindfulness&YogaforChildrenTeacherTrainingwithDaniealRechtschaffen&
JenniferCohen,OmegaCentre
StillQuietPlace(onlinetrainingavailable)AmySaltzman
MBSRTGinaBiegel
Yoga4KidsSheriLeBlanc
InterprofessionalcertificateinAppliedMindfulnessMeditation(Universityof
TorontoCon.Ed)MindfulnesswithCaregivers&ChildrenSaraMarlowe&
RachaelFrankford
MindfulnessPracticewithChildren
Copyright2011SaraMarloweMSW,RSW,www.mindfulfamilies.ca
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SamplePracticesforChildren
MindfulElements
(AdaptedfromDanielRechtschaffen&JenniferCohen)
Sittingtallandproudwhilelettingyourbodycomeintoacomfortableposition.
Lettinganytensionjustfloataway.
Gentlyclosingeyescloseorsofteningtheirgazedownwardtoaspotonthefloor.
Bringingawarenesstoyourbreath,noticingeveryinbreathandoutbreath.
Bringingtomindtheimageofamountainandfeelingwhatitisliketobeamountain.
Perhapsfeelingasifyouwerestrongandsolidlikeamountain.
Witheverybreathyoucanfeelmoreandmoresolidontheearth,feelingtheearthelements
inyourbody.
Then,bringingtomindtheimageofastilllakeandfeelingasifyouwerecalmandflowing
likealake.
Witheverybreath,imaginingyourselfcalmandserenelikethewaterelement.
Thenbringingtomindanimageofthesunandfeelingasifyourbodywasshininginall
directions.
Witheverybreath,feelingasifyourbodywasshimmeringliketheelementoffire.
Thenbringingtomindtheimageofleavesshakinginthewindandnoticingallthedifferent
sensationsmovingaroundyourbody.
Witheverybreath,noticingtheconstantlyshiftingsensationsofthewindelement.
Finally,imagineyouwerefloatinginouterspaceandfeelingthattherewasnothingaround
you,totallyspacious.
Witheverybreath,feelingasifyouwerefloatingandfeelingtheelementofspace.
Then,withthesoundofthebell,slowlyopeningyoureyesorraisingyourgazeandbringing
yourawarenessbackintotheroom.
Reflectingonthepractice:
Whatdidyounoticewhenyouwerefeelingtheseelements?
Weresomeelementseasierorhardertofeel?
Homeassignment:
Findaquietplaceinnature,orevennexttoaplant,andsitsilently.Openyoursensesand
interesttowhatthenaturalworldhastosay.
AwarenessofThoughts
Foryoungerchildren:
1. Writeanunhelpfulorunkindthoughtyouhavehadonaballoonandthenonthe
countofthree,letthemgotogether.
2. Blowunhelpfulorunkindthoughtsintobubblesandwatchthemdriftaway.
3. PeacefulPiggyMeditationbyKerryMaclean
4. MakemindinajarinstructionsinPeacefulPiggyMeditationbook
MindfulnessPracticewithChildren
Copyright2011SaraMarloweMSW,RSW,www.mindfulfamilies.ca
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Forteens:
Trainofthoughts(AdaptedfromtheStressreductionworkbookforteensbyGinaBiegel)
Peoplespendalotoftimeintheirheads,thinking.Whenyouspendsomuchtimethinking,
howmuchtimearelivingyourliferightnow?
WhenBaileywenttobedatnight,shehadaveryhadtimefallingasleep.Hertodolistwould
popup,anditwouldtakeheralongtimetogetittogoaway.Whenshegotupinthemorning,
shewasoftenreallytired.
Learningtoobserveyourthoughtsastheyarisewithoutaddingtothemortryingtopush
themawaycanreduceyourstress.Thisactivitycanhelp;youcanalsousethistechnique
anytimeyoufindyourselfdistractedbyyourthoughts.
Seatedinacomfortableposition,imagineyourselfsittingontopofahill.Onceyouhavethis
imageinyourmind,lookdownatthebottomofthehillandseeatraintrack.Pictureatrain
startingtopass.Asyouseeeachcargoby,thinkofitasoneofyourthoughts.Ifyoufindthat
onethoughtkeepspoppingbackup,justnoticeit.Youcansay,Oh,thisiswhatIamthinking
aboutrightnowheresanotherthought,thinkingandmoveon.Whenyounoticeyou
havejumpedonthetrainandarecaughtupinthecontentofthethought,gentlygetbackto
thetopeofthehill.
Baileytriedthisexercise.Shefoundthatwhenshejustnoticedherthoughtswithouttelling
herself,IneedtostopthinkingaboutthisorIllbetiredtomorrow,andsaidokay,Imnot
thinkingaboutthis,andjustnoticedit,ithelpedherfallasleepwithoutgettingstuckinthea
cycleofthinkingonandon.
Youcouldinviteteenstocreateavisualimagewheretheycreativelylistparticularlysticky
thoughtsthattheywouldliketoobservepassingbythemonthetrain.
Workingwithdifficultemotionsforkids
Samplelessonplan(Scaffolding):
Session6(outofan8weekgroup)
Feelingscheckintogivevocabulary
Feelingscharades
Mindfulnessawarenessofemotionsmeditationpractice(adaptedfromAmy
Saltzman,StillQuietPlace)
SillyBillybyAnthonyBrowne
WorryDollsartactivity
Timefordiscussionoverasnack
MindfulnessPracticewithChildren
Copyright2011SaraMarloweMSW,RSW,www.mindfulfamilies.ca
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GratitudePracticeforChildren
Eachday,thinkaboutandevenrecordthreethingsthatyoufeelgratefulforthingsthat
makeyouhappy.
Theycouldbehappyeventsthathappenedthatdaylikefungameatschool,orspecial
peopleinyourlife,somethingyoudidthatyouareproudof,apet,whateverbringsyoua
feelingofgratitude.Youmightevenconsiderstartingyourowngratitudejournalandaddto
iteachday.
Notetoeducatorsand/oraboutgratitudepractice.Childrencanbenefitfrombeing
encouragedtotakeamomenttopauseandreflectonwhatwentwellthatdayandsome
thingsthatmakethemhappy.Thispracticeisawaytonourishwellbeing,contentmentand
innerpeace(Hanson,2009).
Whatarethreethingsthatyoufeelgratefulfortoday?
1. ___________________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________________
Witholderchildrenandteens,youcouldalsoaskthemtoreflectonwhytheymighthave
happened.
LovingkindnessPracticeforCaregivers/Educators
Lovingkindessisapracticeofcultivatingcompassion,bothforourselvesandothers.Itcanbeeasyto
feelloveandcompassionwhenpeoplearedoingthingswelikeoractinginwaysthatwewantthem
to.Butthiscanbechallengingduringthosetimeswhenpeoplearentnecessarilyactinghowwe
wouldlikethemtoorwhenwearefacedwithaspectsofourselvesthatwefindhardtoaccept.
Justlikewepracticethecultivationofmindfulness,/presentmomentawareness,wecanalso
engageinpracticetocultivatecompassion,patienceandacceptanceforourselvesandothers.This
practiceisknownasMetta,orlovingkindnesspractice.
Itinvolvestherepetitionofphrases,andtappingintotheintentionbehindthem.
Withthispractice,itisalsoimportanttonoticeifanattachmenttoanoutcomearises;tonoticethat
andletitbe.Thepurposeofthepracticeistosupportusindevelopingcompassionforourselvesand
forothers,ratherthanexpectingotherstochangeasaresultofourpractice.
Belowisasampleoflovingkindessphrasesthatyoumightuse.Itisnottheactualwordsorphrases
thataremostimportant,butrathertheintentionbehindthem,sopleasefeelfreetousephrasesthat
resonatemostwithyou.Youcandotheentirepracticeinonesittingorperhapschoosetofocusona
specificsectionifthatfeelsmostrelevant.
MayI/you/webehappyandlivewithjoy
MayI/you/webehealthyandstrong
MayI/you/webesafeandprotected
MayI/you/webeatpeaceandlivewithease
MindfulnessPracticewithChildren
Copyright2011SaraMarloweMSW,RSW,www.mindfulfamilies.ca
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Forthefirstpartofthispractice,bringingintoyourmindseye,theimageofyourchildorastudent
duringatimeinwhichyoufeltveryconnectedtothem.Perhapsitwasapleasantexperiencethat
youshared,ormaybeamomentwhenyoufeltveryproudofthematimewhenyoufeltalotoflove
positivefeelingstowardsyourchild.Whileholdingthisimageofyourchildinyourmind,repeat
silentlythephrasesoflovingkindness.
Mayyoubehappyandlivewithjoy
Mayyoubehealthyandstrong
Mayyoubesafeandprotected
Mayyoubeatpeaceandlivewithease
Whenyouareready,inviteanimageofthesamechildduringadifficulttime.Perhapsyouarefeeling
angryordisappointedorfrightenedwithsomethingthattheyhavesaidordoneorsaddenedbya
choicetheyhavemade.Perhapsitwasatimeofconflictbetweenthetwoofyou.Whileholdingthis
imageofyourchildinyourmind,againrepeatthesamephrasesoflovingkindness.Seeifyoucan
inviteyourselftogenerateasenseofcompassion,eveninthemidstofachallengingtime.
Noticeifanystrugglesariseinthemind,orinthebody,whensayingthesephrases.Perhapsfeelings
ofrighteousnessorareluctancetoletgo.Seeifyoumightinviteyourselfbacktothephrases.
Practicingholdingontocompassion,amidstthedifficulttimes,whichareboundtohappen.
Now,bringinganimageofyourself,asaparentorcaregiverintoyourmindseyeduringatimewhen
youfeltverypositiveaboutyourselfasaparentorcaregiver.Perhapsatatimewhenyouwere
feelingconnected,responsive,attunedtoyourchildpleasedwithyourselfinyourroleas
parent/caregiver.Whileholdingthisimageofyourselfinyourmind,repeatthephrasesof
lovingkindness.
MayIbehappyandlivewithjoy
MayIbehealthyandstrong
MayIbesafeandprotected
MayIbeatpeaceandlivewithease
Ifyoudontremembertheexactwords,thatisokay,again,itistheintentionbehindtherepetitionof
thephrasesthatisthegoal.
Now,bringingintoyourmindseyeanimageofyourselfasaparent/educatorduringatimewhen
youwerenotsopleasedwithyourselfinasituation.Perhapsthisisatimethatyouflippedyourlid,
whenyourespondedtoyourchildinawaythatyouwishyouhadnt.Wecanoftenbeveryhardon
ourselvesinsuchmoments,veryjudgmental,andforgetthatinthesesituations,wearedoingthe
bestthatwecan.Wemayseeanotherparentinachallengingsituation,andourheartgoesoutto
them.Yet,whenwefindourselvesinasimilarsituation,wemaybeveryhardonourselves.Seeing
whatitmightbeliketobringcompassiontoourselvesevenduringthosetimeswhenwemaybe
stressed,maxedout,notnecessarilyatourbest.Notonlyreservingkindnessandcompassionfor
thosetimeswhenweareon,beingkindandgentleandforgivingwithourselveswhenwemaybe
havingahardtime.
Repeatingthesamelovingkindnessphraseswhileholdingontothisimageofourselves.
Ifyoufindthisverychallenging,andnoticejudgementcreepingin,perhapsbringintoyourminds
eyeisslightlylessdifficultorloadedsituationandseeifthatmightsupportthecultivationof
compassiontowardsyourself.
MindfulnessPracticewithChildren
Copyright2011SaraMarloweMSW,RSW,www.mindfulfamilies.ca
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Now,bringinginimageofyourentirefamily/class/schooltogether.Repeatingthelovingkindness
phrases,sendingloveandcompassiontoyourselfandyourfamily/class/schooltogether.
Maywebehappyandlivewithjoy
Maywebehealthyandstrong
Maywebesafeandprotected
Maywebeatpeaceandlivewithease
Resources
MindfulParentingBooks:(lotsofgreatideas&activitiesapplicabletoeducators)
EverydayBlessings:TheInnerWorkofMindfulParentingbyJonKabatZinn&MylaKabatZinn.
TheWholeBrainChild:12RevolutionaryStrategiestoNurtureYourChildsDevelopingMindby
DanSiegel
ParentingYourAnxiousChildwithMindfulnessandAcceptancebyChristopherMcCurry.
ParentingfromtheInsideOut:HowaDeeperSelfUnderstandingcanHelpyouRaiseChildrenWho
ThrivebyDanielSiegel&MaryHartzell.
TheJoyofParenting:AcceptanceandCommitmentTherapyGuidetoEffectiveParentinginthe
EarlyYearsbyKellyWilson,LisaCoyne&AmyMurrel.
RelatedParentingBooks:
BabyHearts:AGuidetogivingyourchildanemotionalheadstartintheearlyyearsbyLinda
Acredol&SusanGoodwyn
BrightfromtheStart:TheSimple,ScienceBackedWaytoNurtureYourChild'sDevelopingMind
fromBirthtoAge3byJillStamm
MindfulnessforChildren/TeensBooks
TheMindfulChildbySusanKaiserGreenland
PlantingSeeds:MindfulnessPracticewithChildrenbyThichNhatHanhandthePlumVillage
Community
StressReductionWorkbookforTeens:MindfulnessSkillstoHelpYouDealWithStressbyGina
Biegel
ChildsMind:mindfulnesspracticestohelpourchildrenbemorefocused,calm,andrelaxedby
ChristopherWillard
TheRelaxation&StressReductionWorkbookforKidsbyLawrenceShapiro&RobinSprague
Acceptanceandmindfulnesstreatmentsforchildrenandadolescents:Apractitionersguideby
ThomasH.Ollendick,StevenHayesandLaurieGreco
101RelaxationGamesforChildrenbyAllisonBartl
TheYogaAdventureforChildrenbyHelenPurperhart
MindfulnessBooksforEducators:
BuildingEmotionalIntelligence:TechniquestoCultivateInnerStrengthinChildrenbyLinaLantieri
MindfulTeaching&TeachingMindfulness:AGuideforAnyonewhoTeachesAnythingbyDeborah
Schoeberlain
TheMindfulTeacherbyElizabethMacDonald
HowtoTalksoKidsCanLearnbyAdeleFaber&ElaineMazlish(notmindfulnessperse,butgreat!)
MindfulnessPracticewithChildren
Copyright2011SaraMarloweMSW,RSW,www.mindfulfamilies.ca
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MindfulnessBooks:
ComingtoOurSensesbyJonKabatZinn
FullCatastropheLivingbyJonKabatZinn
Mindsight:TheNewScienceofPersonalTransformationbyDanielSiegel
ChildrensStorybooks:
AQuietPlacebyDouglasWoodandDanAndreasen
NoOrdinaryApplebySaraMarlowe(AvailableSpring2013)
ABoy&aBearbyLoriLite
TheThreeQuestions&ZenShortsbyJonJMuth
TaketheTime:MindfulnessforKidsbyMaudRoegiers
TheListeningWalkbyPaulShowers
WestlandiabyPaulFleischman
TheKidsYogaBookofFeelingsbyMaryHumphrey
OhthePlacesYoullGobyDr.Seuss
Oh,TheThinksyoucanthinkbyDr.Seuss
MyManyColoureddaysbyDr.Seuss
SillyBillybyAnthonyBrowne
PeacefulPiggyMeditation,MoodyCowMeditates&PeacefulPiggyYogabyKerryLeeMacLean
IsThereReallyaHumanRacebyJamieLeeCurtis&LauraCornell
PracticeCDs:
StillQuietPlace:mindfulnessforyoungchildrenbyAmySaltzman
StillQuietPlace:mindfulnessforteensbyAmySaltzman
MindfulnessforTeens:MeditationPracticestoReduceStressandPromoteWellBeingbyGina
Biegel
PracticeCDincludedwiththebookBuildingEmotionalIntelligencebyLinaLantieri
PracticeCDincludedwiththebookPlantingSeeds:byThichNhatHanh
WebSites:(Hereareafew.ButtherearenowMany!)
www.mindfuled.org www.mindfulfamilies.ca
www.mindfulschools.org www.stressfreekids.com
www.innerresiliencetidescenter.org www.stillquietplace.com
www.plantingseedsbook.org www.springrainsangha.com
www.susankaisergreenland.com www.dharma.org
www.seedsofcompassion.org www.eomega.org
www.mindfulparentscommunity.com www.garrisoninstitute.org
KEYTakeHomeMessages:
1. Teachwhatyouknowfromdirectexperience
2. TeachingMindfulnesstochildrencanbePLAYFUL
Themostpreciousgiftwecanofferisourpresence
ThichNhatHanh
MindfulnessPracticewithChildren
Copyright2011SaraMarloweMSW,RSW,www.mindfulfamilies.ca