Mindfulness in the Inclusive Classroom

Emotions and cognition are connected (CASEL, 2012), with social and emotional learning integral to students' academic and personal growth. Mindfulness--being aware of the now in our thoughts and actions-- allows students and their educators to have their hearts, bodies, and minds focused on the present moment. People who practice mindfulness are better able to recognize and attend to their surroundings, feelings, and thoughts with increased awareness, non-judgment, and empowerment. In...
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Emotions and cognition are connected (CASEL, 2012), with social and emotional learning integral to students' academic and personal growth. Mindfulness--being aware of the now in our thoughts and actions-- allows students and their educators to have their hearts, bodies, and minds focused on the present moment. People who practice mindfulness are better able to recognize and attend to their surroundings, feelings, and thoughts with increased awareness, non-judgment, and empowerment. In the classroom, mindfulness decreases anxiety, which interferes with learning, and makes students better able to participate, collaborate, and learn. Mindfulness allows school staff to acknowledge, validate, and increase students' competencies and capacities to learn.This reference guide, for teachers of grades K-12, offers teachers strategies and tools to help students and themselves develop and advance mindful practices. It includes activities which can be used with the whole class that will benefit all learners, as well as recommendations for exercises to address challenges specific to certain learners, including those with specific learning disabilities (SDL), intellectual differences, executive function difficulties, emotional differences, autism, and physical disabilities.