Mindfulness in SchoolsCaitlin Krause

@CKwriter #BLC2014 #wowinthenow #mindful

ZIS, Switzerland

Share: What does it mean, to be “fully present”?#BLC14 @CKwriter

Each student entering a classroomcarries with him/her

an individual identity:a history,

a set of hopes;a set of fears.

Think back to your own student experiences, and to a class that you enjoyed:

What are traits of this class that made it memorable?

“a positive place”“recognized me as a person”“gave me sense of belonging”

“challenged and encouraged me”“made me laugh”

“made me feel as if people cared”“was a safe space to take risks”

The best classrooms seem to stand out for reasons beyond cognitive skill development–

and, building empathy makes a difference.

YET, what if there are alreadyroadblocks in place?

Mental States & DistractionsSelf-esteem & Doubt

PerfectionismFears

Personal StressHigh Stakes

Motivation: Reduce Suffering; Optimize Performance!

Could mindfulnessfoster empathy in community…

and, increase focus?

Em (in) Pathy (feeling)“The capacity to care is the thing which gives life

its deepest significance." – Pablo Casals

Essential Questions:

1) How are empathy and mindfulness linked?

2) What is current brain research involving mindfulness and learning?

3) How could mindfulness be incorporated into my classroom?

Need for Empathy in Education:

“to combine seemingly unrelated ideas into a novel invention… to empathize,

to understand the subtleties of human interaction, to find joy in one’s self and elicit it in others”

- Daniel Pink, A Whole New Mind

Can we, as teachers,foster an empathetic

classroom environmentwithout first being mindful?

They go hand-in-hand, and have myriad benefits

When you think of “mindfulness”, what springs to… mind?

Mindfulness is… “a state of conscious awareness in which the individual is implicitly aware of the context and content of information.” - cognitive psychologist Ellen Langer

“Mindfulness means paying attention

in a particular way,on purpose,

in the present moment,

nonjudgmentally.” - Jon Kabat-Zinn

Distraction is everywhere; we play a tape of what we allow into our focus.

“It’s similar to how physical exercise can change the body. We know that physical activity helps our

bodies, but we’re just coming to the understanding that mental exercise is also critical to promoting

mental well-being. It’s a cultural shift.”

- Amishi Jha, neuroscientist directing the University of Miami’s

Contemplative Neuroscience, Mindfulness Research, and Practice Initiative

Mindfulness and the Brain

Training 2013-2014led by

Philippe Goldin, PhD

Clinically Applied Neuroscience

Stanford University

University of California Davis Health System

ZIS

Tang & Posner, 2009 TICSslide shared courtesy of Philippe Goldin, PhD

Attention Practices

Focused Attention

Focusing attention with gentle intensity on an object in a sustained manner

Open Monitoring

Monitoring the stream of thoughts, emotions, images, and sensation from moment to moment

slide shared courtesy of Philippe Goldin, PhD

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)

• Formal meditation– Breath focused

– Body scan

– Shifting attention

– Loving-kindness

• Informal meditation– Brief meaningful pauses

• Yoga & movement exercise

slide shared courtesy of Philippe Goldin, PhD

Nummenmaa et al, 2014, PNAS

Bodily sensation topography of emotions

Increase

Decrease

Bodily awareness Emotional awareness, empathy

Singer, Science, 2004slide shared courtesy of Philippe Goldin, PhD

Cognition & AttentionCortical System

EmotionLimbic System

Malinowski, 2013, Frontiers of Neuroscience

Process Model of Mindfulness Training

Follow Breath

Attention

Focused

Open

Distraction

Attention

Ruminate / Worry

Mindless wandering

Regain Attentional Focus

Attitude

Self-Judgment

Kindness

Intention

Stress reduction

Increase well-being

Self-exploration

Summary of Mindfulness Training Effects

Threat

Emotion Reactivity

Limbic System

Attention Regulation

Cognitive Regulation

Self

In the Classroom:Mindful Writing & Sharing

When giving in-class empathetic “quickwrites”, consider using a short reading that students

can respond to in writing (poem/ quote/ news/ scenario).

Write alongside students; they will see you writing and take cues from you.

Make sharing optional, without too much critique in beginning– just sharing (and, you can share!).

Sample prompt: Oliver Jeffers & journaling

WRITING = RISK-TAKING we want everyone to clamor

to debate, engage,

and tell his/her story!

Students self-reflect about writing, journals, and their individual styles and preferences.They each have a voice, and it counts!

Claire: http://blogs.zis.ch/13498/2014/01/23/journal-reflection-video/

Kevin: http://blogs.zis.ch/3865/page/3/

Roos: http://blogs.zis.ch/13856/page/2/

Katherine: http://blogs.zis.ch/14030/

Ties: http://blogs.zis.ch/14339/

Edwina: http://blogs.zis.ch/14156/

Lucie: http://blogs.zis.ch/1030275/

Maya: http://blogs.zis.ch/14371/

“Good teaching cannot be reduced to technique; good teaching comes from the

identity and integrity of the teacher.”

“Relational trust is built on movements of the human heart such as empathy, commitment, compassion, patience,

and the capacity to forgive.”

- Parker Palmer, The Courage to Teach

Empathy and Mindfulness:As we seek to understand others,

pausing to be mindful of ourselvesand the surrounding world is fundamental.

Personal practice in meditation and mindfulness

indirectly affects experience in the classroom!

Pause for Mindfulness: Are you aware of yourself, and your 5 senses?

Is there enough “empty space” for free flowing thoughts & observations?

Watch the following, and sharewhat you notice

(in the video and in your reactions)Holi on Vimeo

“Music is the space between the notes.” -Debussy

Play music as background for students, for example:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYIfiQlfaas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmKkaCKWreM

Mindfulness in EducationInvites the Writing Voice to Speak;

Links to Empathy

Write whatever comes to your mind– a story, reaction, or other, when you hear the above.

Just let it happen…Write without edits.

Other Mindful Classroom Applications: - body scan

- focus on breath- “circle” sharing of empathy/sympathy

- mirroring exercise- paired breathing exercise

- 5 senses and sensory isolation- “Ideal Place” description writing

- finding “extraordinary in the ordinary”- protagonist poetry

- Dr. Goldin joins the 6th grade class

Student feedback after mindfulness exercises:

What was surprising for you about this session?I thought it was very surprising doing the mimicking activity and learning a lot more about empathy and putting myself in someone else’s shoes.

I never knew that they actually put these things on the head. (picture of electrodes on head)

One thing surprising was how we had to copy one another - movement exercise.

What was surprising for you about this session (cont.)?

I could feel other people’s emotions.

We can exercise empathy just like we can exercise sports.

That if you try hard you can tell what someone else is thinking.

How you can get so connected through breathing in sync with another person.

It was interesting to see another person breathing at the exact same time and it felt really relaxing.

That I enjoyed learning some relaxation techniques.

What will you take away with you from your experience in this session?Always be caring and try to step in their shoes.

I will take away the meaning of empathy with me.

Feeling what others feel.

I will take away that anyone can be empathic if we try hard and empathy is something that we should all aim to get better at.

Interesting information about PET and MRI.

Is that you should be empathic stepping in other people’s shoes but not be overwhelmed with too much sympathy.

What will you take away with you from your experience in this session (continued)?

Empathy is really a good thing to have and that I think I have quite a lot of it. Sometimes we can be hasty with getting into a fight but we don’t need to be.

To put myself in other peoples’ shoes even if they don’t fit.

I will take with me empathy. I will really try to feel what another person feels and help them if they need it.

That you should always empathize with someone because you might not know what they’re going through.

“Don't judge a man until you have

walked two moons in his moccasins.”

– Sharon Creech, Walk Two Moons

In Sum:1) Mindfulness is central

2) Community comes first3) Empathetic classrooms

span the globe

Closing Question:

In what ways can mindfulnessbe incorporated into every day,within classrooms and beyond?

#wowinthenow

Empathy-Building Exercises:

Spoken Word Poetry:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esgfG3BoAPcSarah Kay & Phil Kaye perform spoken word poetry

Students can create poems and share in traveling around school,

or hosting a poetry festival… anything is possible!

Memorizing and Delivering a Poem Works Wonders!April can be POETRY MONTH in school,

with “Poem in your Pocket”

Student Writing about Zeitgeist “The Spirit of the Times”:Mindful Connections and Empathy: Students' Zeitgeist 2013 Compilation - published December 11Google's Zeitgeist 2013 Video - published December 17 Zeitgeist Response When I heard the number of people that had lost their lives after the typhoon in the Philippines, I was unbelievably upset. I guess I am the kind of person who really cares about what happens in the world. Natural disasters like the Typhoon Haiyan have a huge impact on me, and I really do care. The Philippines did not have enough supplies to give to all of the victims, so other countries helped out. The United Kingdom on its own raised 23 million pounds; the Netherlands raised roughly 15 million euros; many countries have donated money and have done fundraising actions to make sure that no more people become victims of Haiyan.

– Roos

Recommended Reading

10% Happier, Dan Harris

Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-being, Martin E. P. Seligman

The 5 Dimensions of Engaged Teaching: A Practical Guide for Educators, Laura Weaver and Mark Wilding

FOCUS: The Hidden Driver of Excellence, Daniel Goleman

Wherever You Go There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life, Jon Kabat-Zinn

The Soul of Education: Helping Students Find Connection, Compassion, and Character at School, Rachael Kessler

Online Resources

Please visit my permalink on Diigo:https://www.diigo.com/list/caitlinkrause/Mindfulness

In addition, I find the following sites useful:

www.mindful.org

http://mindfulnessinschools.org

http://mindandlife.org

Thank you for your time!Caitlin Krause

caitlin.Krause@gmail.com www.caitlinkrause.tumblr.com

@CKwriterwww.flickr.com/caitlinkrause

Empathy –Related Sources & Websites:

Forbes Article “Why We Should Teach Empathy to Improve Education and Test Scores”:http://www.forbes.com/sites/ashoka/2012/09/26/why-we-should-teach-empathy-to-improve-education-and-test-

scores/2/

Dr. Thomas Lewis, "The Neuroscience of Empathy" as part of the Authors@Google series: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-T2GsG0l1E

Daniel Pink, A Whole New Mindhttp://www.danpink.com/books/whole-new-mind

Howard Gardner, Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligenceshttp://howardgardner.com/papers/

“Beyond the Echo Chamber”:http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jayson-boyers/beyond-the-echo-chamber-w_b_3001066.html

How Children Develop Empathy: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/12/10/understanding-how-children-develop-empathy/

Empathy Ed:http://www.empathyed.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=40&Itemid=62

The Morality of Meditation:http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/07/opinion/sunday/the-morality-of-meditation.html?smid=tw-nytimes&_r=1&

Northfield Mount Hermon Library Website with Mindfulness Links:

http://libguides.nmhschool.org/mindfulness

Empathy –Related Sources & Websites (cont.):

Music to Write to – Ólafur Arnalds:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYIfiQlfaas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmKkaCKWreM

“Meet Me in Big Sur” – Andrew Julian:http://vimeo.com/58045466

DIIGO LIST: MINDFULNESS

Tips for Teaching Mindfulness to Studentshttp://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/tips_for_teaching_mindfulness_to_kids

How To Start a Meditation Program in Your School | Edutopiahttp://www.edutopia.org/stw-student-stress-meditation-school-tips

The science behind meditation, and why it makes you feel betterhttp://io9.com/how-meditation-changes-your-brain-and-makes-you-feel-b-470030863

Mindful Moment Program at Patterson High School | Indiegogohttp://www.indiegogo.com/projects/mindful-moment-program-at-patterson-high-school

FOCUS: Mindfulness Resources for educatorshttp://us7.campaign-archive2.com/?u=68c24e7257bd5ad0fbbbbb25f&id=797a93878f&e=2a174ef0e1

Mindfulness: The Basicshttp://www.mindful.org/mindfulness-practice/mindfulness-the-basics