What is mindfulness?

Definitions of mindfulness can vary among practitioners and between schools. For our purposes, Jon Kabat-Zinn’s definition is a useful place to start:

‘Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way; on purpose, in the present moment and nonjudgementally.’ Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life (1994, Hyperion Books)

Introducing mindfulness

• 'Why consider mindfulness?' Make sure this is something your school’s community will consider worthwhile and relevant. Do you have a shared understanding of what mindfulness is?
• Who would be suitable to help you to encourage mindfulness in your school?
• Does your school already have the skills, qualities and expertise needed to introduce mindfulness or would you need to bring in an external programme?
• What obstructions might there be? How could these be overcome?
• What tools might you adopt to help identify and understand any benefits derived from mindfulness in your school (for both teachers and pupils)?
• How can mindfulness be credible to young people and staff members? How can you ensure that all involved walk the talk?
• How can parents be involved too?

Further reading

• Using mindfulness effectively in schools, Dr Trisha Waters, Optimus Education
• A school-based approach to promoting emotional wellbeing, Nina Mguni, Optimus Education
• Strategies for promoting staff wellbeing, Jenny Mosley, Optimus Education
• Six ways to reduce pupil stress, Steve Baker, Optimus Education

Useful resources

• The Mindfulness in Schools Project is a non-profit organisation which aims to encourage and support research into secular mindfulness in schools. Also checkout the .b (dot-be) pages which outline a ten-lesson course for teachers looking to introduce mindfulness in their classrooms.
• The Exeter/Cambridge University study on the .b mindfulness in schools curriculum in secondary schools (2012)
• The Institute of Psychological Sciences host a range of useful resources and research for all interested in introducing mindfulness in schools. The knowledge exchange project which ran from April 2013-14 was funded by the Economic and Social Research Council and useful documents are available to download free of charge including research, resources and presentations.