White Paper-Integrating Mindfulness into K-12 Education

This paper reviews research and curricula pertaining to the integration of mindfulness training into K-12 education, both indirectly by training teachers and through direct teaching of students.  Click here IMEK-12 ARTICLE IN JOURNAL MINDFULNESS (ONLINE VERSION)-1

Get Ahead Kids Feature Article- a shout out from Australia

Teaching mindfulness to kids and teens has been described by Amy Saltzman M.D. as “the truest form of preventive medicine I know.” Click here to read the full article

Mindfulness and Psychotherapy Interview by Elisha Goldstein

Today Amy talks to us about what the still quiet place is for children and teenagers, the impact of her research with children, and a little practice and advice to help us parents, caregivers and teachers along the way. Click here to read the full interview.

Radio Interview with Yoga in My School

Dr Amy Saltzman knows the benefits of accessing the “Still Quiet Place” deep inside each individual and works tirelessly to bring those benefits to children, teens and parents.

Founder of the  program Still Quiet Place, Amy strives to teach mindfulness skills to youth (Pre-K to college) so that they can reap the rewards and live a engaged, full, calm and rewarding life. Join us for easy to implement techniques which are proven to develop focus, increase attention, decrease anxiety and allow you and your children to interact with compassion with yourself and others. Tap into your “Still Quiet Place” within. Click Here to Listen

Saltzman- MBSR for School-Age Children

This chapter provides an overview of an MBSR curriculum designed for children in grades 4-6 and their parents, and reports preliminary research findings based on the implementation of this curriculum. The data indicate that mindfulness training is feasible for children and that such training enhances attention, decreases anxiety, and improves self-regulation, social competence and, perhaps most importantly, children’s overall well-being. Complete Chapter

Reprinted with permission by New Harbinger Publications, Inc.
Acceptance & Mindfulness Treatments for Children & Adolescents, Laurie Greco Ph.D.

Radio Interview- The Value of Mindfulness in Everyday Life

When you’re raising a family or teaching students it’s often hard to be aware of what you’re feeling, experiencing, and thinking. The practice of mindfulness, or paying attention with kindness and curiosity before choosing your behavior, can decrease stress and burnout and increase empathy and effective communication. Tune in as we discuss how adults and children can benefit from learning mindful practices for everyday life.

• Amy Saltzman, MD, is a holistic physician, mindfulness coach, and scientist, and founder of The Still Quiet Place.

DOWNLOAD Entire Program (54:10 mp3 49.6 MB)

Words from Nick

My friend and student, 9 year old, Nick, was recently featured in an article in Scholastic Parent and Child magazine. Here is what Nick has to say about Mindfulness.

To use mindfulness is a great privilege. It makes you feel good, relaxed and happy. You cannot enjoy life without it. Mindfulness is a quiet  place.All you have to do to get there is concentrate on your breathing.  You can use mindfulness everywhere. When you are in arguments, if you are  feeling unhappy or if you are in a tough situation you don’t want to be in. I’ve even used it when I find myself frustrated while playing video games or other times when I become overwhelmed.

Simply sit down, lie down or even stand up and just start breathing and listen and feel your breaths – focus on slow and deep breaths. Soon your worries and frustrations will not seem so big. Before you know it you will  feel better. Afterward, I sometimes forget what was making me so upset. I am glad Dr. Amy showed me how to do it. You should give it a try too!

Click the link to read the entire article on Mindfulness for Children in  Scholastic Parent and Child magazine

Self-Compassion better than Self-Esteem

Since the 1980s, educators in California and elsewhere have been urged to help children build self-esteem to make them feel good about themselves and reduce discipline problems. Now, some researchers are saying a better approach is to cultivate self-compassion in children, to help them accept their struggles and guard against self-absorption. Read more

PBS Teacher’s Guide

PBS Teachers Guide This brief document provides a working definition of mindfulness, an overview of the scientific rationale for offering mindfulness to children and adolescents, a review of the professional and personal benefits of practicing mindfulness, specific suggestions for developing your own mindfulness practice (which is a prerequisite to sharing mindfulness with your students), and two examples of practices you can use in your classroom.  Mindfulness a Teachers Guide PBS Teachers_Guide-3 sB

PBS Teachers Live-Webinar

Filmmaker David Grubin showed clips from his new film, The Buddha, and talked about making the film and what he hopes audiences, particularly teachers and students, will take away from it. Mirabai Bush, Associate Director and Senior Fellow at The Center for Contemplative Mind in Society, spoke about using the film as an educational resource and provided an overview of research on the effects of mindfulness on learning. Educator Peter Brown shared resources and strategies for teaching about the Buddha and Buddhism in a Comparative Religion course, and Dr. Amy Saltzman discussed methods for teaching secular mindfulness. Participants also learned about educational resources available on the companion website for the film. Listen to the webinar.