Mindfulness

Soho Parish Curriculum Statement: Mindfulness


Intent

Mindfulness is awareness or paying attention in the moment. Mindfulness practice can support us to grow our brains- creating new connections and developing positive habits. With more awareness and presence comes choice; choice to work with habits, to strengthen those we want to grow and let go of the ones that don’t serve us. This act of choosing is an act of creativity (creativity being the opposite of habit). Children learn to become more aware of their body, thoughts and emotions, and of other people and the world around them. Our meditation and mindfulness activities support with emotional and social skills for effective learning, positive behaviour and general well-being.


Implementation

  • We follow both the ‘Mindfulness in Schools- Paws. b’ curriculum and the ‘Breathing Space in Schools’ curriculum, as well as tailor made lessons designed by our trained mindfulness teacher
  • Mindfulness is offered formally as weekly 30 minute lessons session for children in KS1 and KS2, and informally through integrating the learning and practice of mindfulness in the children’s everyday lives 
  • We encourage children to develop their home practice of mindfulness through weekly ‘Have a Go’ suggested activities 
  • Lunchtime mindfulness drop-in club for KS2 children
  • Weekly mindfulness sessions offered for staff and opportunities for parents across the year

Impact

Mindfulness interventions can:

  • Improve mental, emotional, social and physical health 
  • reduce stress, anxiety and reactivity
  •  improve sleep
  • Improve self-esteem
  • bring about greater calmness, relaxation,  
  • develop ability to manage behaviour and emotions
  • develop self‐awareness and empathy
  • contribute directly to the development of cognitive skills and executive function
  • help with attention and focus skills
  • improve working memory
  •  enhance planning, problem solving and reasoning skills

We measure the impact of the mindfulness lessons through feedback questionnaires with children throughout the year.