This year, our school is actively promoting mindfulness in the classroom to ensure that both students and teachers take a moment after recess and lunch to reconnect with themselves and to refresh to prepare for learning. Sometimes we meditate, other times we dance, then there are those times where we sit in a circle and give compliments to each other for what we enjoyed about playtime. It is important that children can identify and name the emotions and feelings they are experiencing as matched with recent actions and consequences. In this way, we can promote more positive experiences, and limit negative emotions.
For those times when the children do require assistance with identifying their feelings, or need a space to withdraw to, I have set up a calming corner with feeling books, sensory toys and a ‘MySpace tent’.
To further assist us with understanding who we are, and what we are feeling and why, we will sometimes have lessons with the school Chaplain, Monty, and his Kimochi friends. Check out the Kimochi friends at http://www.kimochis.com.au and see if you can tell which Kimochi you are.