Imagine this: rather than sending your kids to their room in a fit of rage, confiscating their tablets for a week, or putting them in time-out, you invite them to take a few minutes alone to meditate. This approach encourages them to process their anger, frustration, or stress—emotions that often lead to misbehavior. This innovative form of discipline is currently thriving in various schools, resulting in significant improvements in student behavior. Could we incorporate these insights into our parenting strategies?
Mindfulness vs. Conventional Discipline in Schools
As highlighted in a recent article from Forbes, traditional punitive measures in schools—like detention and suspension—often fail to effectively address misbehavior. These methods breed resentment and harm the student-teacher relationship, leaving students feeling more negative when they miss out on enjoyable activities.
Taking a pioneering approach, the Mindful Living Initiative (MLI) partners with schools to implement mindfulness programs instead of relying on conventional punishment. MLI is a local nonprofit in Baltimore dedicated to enhancing the well-being of children in underprivileged areas by helping them cultivate their inner lives through practices like yoga and mindfulness. They train educators and assist schools in developing these programs, offering workshops and additional training across the nation.
Successful Mindfulness Programs
Across the country, schools are integrating mindfulness into their curricula, but the schools collaborating with MLI stand out for their unique approach to managing negative behavior. For instance, two schools working with MLI have witnessed remarkable changes in their students’ conduct.
Sunnybrook Elementary School
At Sunnybrook Elementary in Baltimore, mindful meditation serves as an alternative to detention. Instead of punishing disruptive students or sending them to the principal’s office, the school features a “Mindful Retreat Room.” This cozy space is filled with soft lighting, calming decor, bean bags, and pillows where students can learn to manage stress and anger.
In this room, students who misbehave are encouraged to engage in deep breathing exercises and meditation, helping them regain their composure before returning to class. They are also invited to speak with a trained staff member about their feelings and the events that led to their behavior. Together, students and staff create a plan to apply mindfulness techniques in similar future situations. Teachers can refer students to the Mindful Retreat Room for a cooldown, or students can request to spend time there.
Since the introduction of the Mindful Retreat Room, students have appeared more relaxed, demonstrating better emotional control. Notably, there were no suspensions recorded in 2015 and 2016, a stark contrast to the four suspensions issued during the 2013-2014 school year.
Riverdale High School
At Riverdale High School, also in Baltimore, the Mindful Retreat Room is a dedicated space available throughout the day. Students can voluntarily spend time there, or teachers may refer distressed students to work through their emotions. Social workers, psychologists, and nurses also direct students to the room for support with anxiety and stress.
Once in the Mindful Retreat Room, students are paired with a “Mindfulness Coach” who first discusses their situation before guiding them through mindfulness practices such as breathing exercises and yoga. After a 20-minute session, students return to class rejuvenated and ready to engage.
Since the room opened, the school has reported increased attendance and a reduction in suspensions, with teachers noting a quieter environment and fewer conflicts among students.
The Benefits of Mindfulness
Mindfulness is defined by Jon Kabat-Zinn, a leading expert in the field, as the awareness that emerges from intentionally focusing on the present moment without judgment. Practicing mindfulness helps us better understand the mind-body connection and reduces our reactivity to thoughts and emotions. This practice fosters a sense of peace and balance in our lives and nurtures empathy, compassion, and kindness.
The growing interest in mindfulness stems from research demonstrating its profound effects. Numerous studies reveal that meditation can help children lessen stress and anxiety, enhance focus, and improve academic performance. Remarkably, scientists have observed brain changes during meditation, particularly in areas related to decision-making, emotional flexibility, and empathy.
The most compelling evidence of mindfulness’s effectiveness comes straight from the students in Baltimore, who share their transformative experiences:
- “I have learned how to calm myself down and focus better in class.”
- “It has taught me how to calm myself and listen to my thoughts.”
- “I can calm down and breathe. When I’m hyped up or having a bad day, I can relax. It makes me feel better.”
- “It helped me deal with so much I was going through. It helped me to be able to talk about my feelings more and to stop focusing on all the drama going on in school.”
- “Mindfulness gives me more self-control. It helps me get my mind straight when I’m worried about something.”
- “It helped me get over what people were saying. I learned to mind my business and move on.”
- “It is a fun place to go and I have learned that there are other ways to release your anger.”
Implementing Mindfulness at Home
The principal of Riverdale High, Mark Jenkins, has been so inspired by the success of the Mindful Retreat Room that he now practices mindfulness with his son every morning before they begin their day. One of MLI’s key strategies is to use a reciprocal teaching model, encouraging young people to share these techniques with their parents.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to see your children handle their emotions more constructively? Consider setting up a calm corner in your home where your kids can retreat when they’re feeling irritated, frustrated, or angry. And while your children are enjoying their mindful moments, parents might benefit from taking a moment for themselves as well.
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Summary
Incorporating mindfulness into parenting can provide children with tools to manage their emotions, reducing the need for traditional disciplinary measures. Schools like Sunnybrook Elementary and Riverdale High are leading the way in applying mindfulness techniques to foster positive behavior, and parents can adopt similar practices at home. By establishing a calm space and practicing mindfulness together, families can create a more harmonious environment.
Keyphrase: Mindfulness for Kids
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