Mindfulness: Transform Self, Transform Students

Erin Sharaf, MA, PA-Cwww.amindfulsolution.com

USING MINDFULNESS TO TRANSFORM SELF AND STUDENTS

A particular way of paying attention…

•On purpose

• In the present moment

•Without judgment

Noticing experience without reacting

What is Mindfulness?

Welcome to the MINDFUL REVOLUTION

What Can Mindfulness Enhance? •Emotional resilience•Attention•Academic performance•Positive mood•Compassion and empathy•Physical and

mental health•Optimism and kindness

What Can Mindfulness Decrease?

•Stress•Burnout•Negative emotions•ADHD•Impulsivity•Anxiety•Depression

Without Mindfulness:

Stimulus

Reaction

• Automatic, habitual patterns• This often leads unconsciously to

suffering

WITH MINDFULNESS:

STIMULUS MINDFULNESS RESPONSE

• THERE IS SPACE FOR CONSCIOUS CHOOSING• MORE SKILLFUL RESPONSES• LESS SUFFERING

HOW DO WE PRACTICE?

MANY WAYS, INCLUDING:

Mindful

• Eating

• Walking

• Moving

• Listening

• Breathing

Noticing the relationship between

• Thoughts

• Physical Sensations

• Emotions

RANDOMIZED-CONTROLLED DATA FROM MINDFUL SCHOOLS/UC DAVIS

(Guzman-Alvarez, Westover, Keller, & Fuller, 2012)

DEMONSTRATED IMPROVEMENT:

MOVIES ABOUT MINDFULNESS IN EDUCATION:

HEALTHY HABITS OF MINDhttp: / /v imeo.com/70357535

ROOM TO BREATHEhttp: / /www.roomtobreathefi lm.com/

MIND UPhttp: / / thehawnfoundation.org/

Short videos from Goldie Hawn’s organization

"If we taught all 8-year-olds to meditate, we would eliminate all violence from the

world within one generation." -- His Holiness, the Dalai Lama

RESOURCES:In the Classroom, a New Focus on Quieting the Mind• http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/16/us/16mindful.html?_r=0

The Mindful Child: How to Help Your Kid Manage Stress and Become Happier, Kinder, and More Compassionate• http://www.amazon.com/The-Mindful-Child-Happier-Compassionate/dp/1416583009

Building Emotional Intelligence: Techniques to Cultivate Inner Strength in Children• http://www.amazon.com/Building-Emotional-Intelligence-Techniques-Cultivate/dp/1591797896

Sitting Still Like a Frog: Mindfulness Exercises for Kids (and Their Parents)• http://www.amazon.com/Sitting-Still-Like-Frog-Mindfulness/dp/1611800587/ref=sr_1_10s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1406147038&sr=1-10&keywords=mindfulness

References:Beauchemin, J. Hutchins, T.L, Patterson, F. (2008). Mindfulness Meditation May Lessen Anxiety, Promote Social Skills, and Improve Academic Performance Among Adolescents With Learning Disabilities. Journal of Evidence-Based Complimentary and Alternative Medicine, 13(1), 34-35.

Burke, C. (2010). Mindfulness Based Approaches with Children and Adolescents: A Preliminary Review of Current Research in an

Emergent Field. Journal of Child Family Studies, 19:2, 133-144.

Carson, J.W, Carson, K.M, Gil, K.M, Baucom, D.H. (2004). Mindfulness-Based Relationship Enhancement. Behavior Therapy, 35, 471-494.

Flook, L. et al. (2010). Effects of Mindful Awareness Practices on Executive Functions in Elementary School Children. Journal of Applied School Psychology, 26:1, 70-95

Flook L, Goldberg SB, Pinger L, Bonus K, Davidson RJ. (2013). Mindfulness for Teachers: A pilot study to assess effects on stress,

burnout and teaching efficacy. Mind, Brain and Education. 7(3). doi: 10.1111/mbe.12026.

Jennings, P. A. et al. (2011). Improving Classroom Learning Environments by Cultivating Awareness and Resilience in Education (CARE): Results

of Two Pilot Studies. Journal of Classroom Interaction, 46:1, 37-48

Jennings, P. A. (2012). Building an Evidence Base for Mindfulness in Educational Settings. http://www.mindful.org/mindful-voices/on-education/ building-an-evidence-base-for-mindfulness-in-educational-settings

Peters, J.R, Erisman, S.M, Upton, B.T, Baer, R.A, Roemer, L. (2011). A Preliminary Investigation of the Relationships Between Dispositional Mindfulness and Impulsivity. Mindfulness, 2:228-235. doi10.1007/s12671-011-0065-2.

Smith, A. Guzman-Alvarez, A., Westover, T., Keller, S., & Fuller, S. (2012). Mindful Schools Program Evaluation. University of California at Davis: Center for Education and Evaluation Services

Van de Weijer-Bergsma E, Formsma AR, de Bruin EI, Bögels SM. (2012). The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training on Behavioral Problems and Attentional Functioning in Adolescents with ADHD. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 21(5):775-787.

Weng, H.Y. et al. (2013). Compassion Training Alters Altruism and Neural

Responses to Suffering. Psychological Science, 24(7) 1171-1180.