Growing up, detention was the only solution in handling disruptive kids. Unless of course the child was so admit about being disruptive and problematic that they earn a suspension. Attending schools in the early 2000's meant that teachers were not quite as equipped, in the field of psychology or providing coping mechanisms, as they are today. Being mindfulness towards the students in my middle school meant that the teacher would bribe the disruptive culprit with a soda or snack from the teacher lounge. The bribe was not only unfair but allowed the "bad" kids to be rewarded and the good kids to be left in the dust. Luckily, times have changed for all the kids trudging through their school halls and fidgeting in their seats.
Sultions have been aided to the school districts, acknowledging the fact that detention does not hold any benefit to both teachers and students. According to Andres Gonzalez (2019), "There is no lesson being taught to the students, so they do not learn from the punishment. Instead, they gain resentment towards the academic institution, which just leads to an even more inefficient learning environment" (Para. 3). Instead the Holistic Life Foundation has come up with a radical solution called "The Mindful Moment Room". Students are able to retreat to the private like oasis through permission or as a referral from a teacher. Basically it is room in which a student can take a moment to breath and calm down any frustration, anxiety, or anger. Each student in the room is assigned a mindfulness instructor and are lead through mindfulness practices.
You might still be wondering, what exactly is mindfulness and what are some of the techniques taught? According to the American Psychological Association (APA.org, 2012), mindfulness is " ...a moment-to moment awareness of one's experience without judgment. In this sense, mindfulness is a state and not a trait. While it might be promoted by certain practices or activities, such as meditation, it is not equivalent to or synonymous with them". The aim of mindfulness, especially for children in school settings, is to de-escalate their emotions. The child is able to "reset" their emotions, therefore they are able to continue their day more successfully. Practices within the session include breathing exercises, yoga, and targeted discussions (Gonzalez, 2019). I would have definitely loved a private room for meditation and yoga within my schools growing up. At least the children of today are being taught life skills that they can carry with them when faced with any negative emotions.
References;
APA.org. (2012). What Are The Benefits of Mindfulness? Retrieved from
https://www.apa.org/education/ce/mindfulness-benefits.pdf.
Gonzalez, A. (2019, January 18). What Happens When Meditation Replaces School Detention.
National PTA. Retrieved from; https://ptaourchildren.org/meditation-not-detention/
Sultions have been aided to the school districts, acknowledging the fact that detention does not hold any benefit to both teachers and students. According to Andres Gonzalez (2019), "There is no lesson being taught to the students, so they do not learn from the punishment. Instead, they gain resentment towards the academic institution, which just leads to an even more inefficient learning environment" (Para. 3). Instead the Holistic Life Foundation has come up with a radical solution called "The Mindful Moment Room". Students are able to retreat to the private like oasis through permission or as a referral from a teacher. Basically it is room in which a student can take a moment to breath and calm down any frustration, anxiety, or anger. Each student in the room is assigned a mindfulness instructor and are lead through mindfulness practices.
You might still be wondering, what exactly is mindfulness and what are some of the techniques taught? According to the American Psychological Association (APA.org, 2012), mindfulness is " ...a moment-to moment awareness of one's experience without judgment. In this sense, mindfulness is a state and not a trait. While it might be promoted by certain practices or activities, such as meditation, it is not equivalent to or synonymous with them". The aim of mindfulness, especially for children in school settings, is to de-escalate their emotions. The child is able to "reset" their emotions, therefore they are able to continue their day more successfully. Practices within the session include breathing exercises, yoga, and targeted discussions (Gonzalez, 2019). I would have definitely loved a private room for meditation and yoga within my schools growing up. At least the children of today are being taught life skills that they can carry with them when faced with any negative emotions. References;
APA.org. (2012). What Are The Benefits of Mindfulness? Retrieved from
https://www.apa.org/education/ce/mindfulness-benefits.pdf.
Gonzalez, A. (2019, January 18). What Happens When Meditation Replaces School Detention.
National PTA. Retrieved from; https://ptaourchildren.org/meditation-not-detention/
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