inner explorer
inner explorer
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Pros
Pros
Simple premise backed by decades of research
Short (5-10 minutes) morning interventions with benefits that last all day
Cons
Cons
As the least curricular of the Mindfulness programs, the provided resources include language and framing that would not be acceptable in most Adventist Schools. Significant reworking required to implement this (or any) mindfulness program.
framework
framework
Built on a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) protocol, this program incorporates 5-10 minutes per day for mindful reflection on SEL principles.
training
training
Professional Development options are available for an additional cost.
Expensive programming ($1,400/school/year) via an app with guided meditation videos will be mostly useless for Adventist teachers.
research
research
Founding principles of mindfulness are backed by over 40 years of research. Practicing mindfulness results in improved function in the areas of the brain that regulate learning, memory, compassion, empathy, and stress.
While the videos themselves don't seem to have anything objectionable, the exercise on gratitude lacks the framing of prayer that would add an important dimension to these practices.
I believe this program could be easily adapted to suit a Christian school's needs.
There is a great need for Christian-based Mindfulness programs. The research is there to support Mindfulness programs, but they are all secular, which makes integration of existing programs challenging and not worth the investment.
A suggestion would be to discuss mindfulness with teachers, including books on Christian mindfulness as a spiritual discipline, and workshop ways to include mindfulness in the classroom through silent prayer, guided prayer, and journaling.
additional reading and deeper research analysis
additional reading and deeper research analysis
Books on Mindfulness Research and Practices for Teachers
Books on Mindfulness Research and Practices for Teachers
Child’s Mind: Mindfulness Practices to help our Children be more Focused, Calm, & Relaxed by Christopher Willard
Everybody Present: Mindfulness in Education by Nikolaj Rotne, Didde Flor Rotne
The Mindful Brain: Reflection and Attunement in the Cultivation of Well-Being by Daniel Siegel
The Mindful School Leader: Practices to Transform Your Leadership and School by Valerie Brown and Kirsten Olson
Mindful Teaching and Teaching Mindfulness by Deborah Schoeberlein
A Still Quiet Place: A Mindfulness Program for Teaching Children and Adolescents to Ease Stress and Difficult Emotions by Amy Saltzman, MD (Author), Saki Santorelli, EdD MA
The Stress Reduction Workbook for Teens: Mindfulness Skills to Help You Deal with Stress by Gina Biegel, MA LMFT
Books on Christian Mindfulness
Books on Christian Mindfulness
Right Here Right Now: The Practice of Christian Mindfulness by Amy G. Oden and Marjorie J. Thompson
A Counselor's Guide to Christian Mindfulness: Engaging the Mind, Body, and Soul in Biblical Practices and Therapies by Dr. Regina Chow Trammel and John Trent
Practicing Mindfulness: 75 Essential Meditations to Reduce Stress, Improve Mental Health, and Find Peace in the Everyday by Matthew Sockolov
Using Christian Contemplative Practice with Children: A Guide to Helping Children Explore Stillness and Mediation in Worship by Sonia Mainstone-Cotton
Mindfulness Research
Mindfulness Research
The Inner Explorer website links to over 50 peer-reviewed studies on the benefits of mindfulness intervention for both students and teachers. After careful review, I found relevant articles regarding academic, anxiety, behavioral, cognitive, and developmental benefits.
Bakosh, L., Snow, R., Houlihan, J., Tobias, J., Barbosa-Leiker, C. (2016). Maximizing mindful learning: An innovative mindful awareness intervention improves elementary students' quarterly grades. Journal of Mindfulness, 7, 59-67. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-015-0387-6
Summary: Statistically significant positive growth in reading and science, reduced disciplinary issues, with only 10 minutes of daily mindfulness training; Quasi-experimental, control group, eight 3rd grade classrooms, 191 students, 1 school quarterBlack, D. S., & Fernando, R. (2014). Mindfulness Training and Classroom Behavior Among Lower-Income and Ethnic Minority Elementary School Children. Journal of child and family studies, 23(7), 1242-1246. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-013-9784-4
Summary: After a 5-week intervention of 15-minute sessions 3 times a week, all classrooms saw the same benefit, including classes that received additional training once a week; 409 children, self-selected and self-reporting, K-6th gradeCarsley, D., Khoury, B., & Heath, N. L. (2017). Effectiveness of Mindfulness Interventions for Mental Health in Schools: a Comprehensive Meta-analysis. Mindfulness, 9(3), 693-707. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-017-0839-2
Summary: A meta-analysis of 24 studies found small to moderate effects in mindfulness classes as compared to control groups, with the most significant effects for teenagers in improving mental health and well-beingChi, X., Bo, A., Liu, T., Zhang, P., & Chi, I. (2018). Effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction on depression in adolescents and young adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Psychology, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01034
Summary: Moderate benefits in reducing depression symptoms; Adolescents and Young AdultsDunning, D. L., et al. (2018). Research Review: The effects of mindfulness!based Interventions on cognition and mental health in children and adolescents - a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.12980
Summary: Reviewed 33 studies on mindfulness-based interventions for children and adolescents, with 17 studies receiving further analysis due to control group. All studies showed positive results in cognitive, emotional, and behavioral areas, with most statistically-significant benefits regarding depression and anxiety/stress.Marusak HA, Elrahal F, Peters CA, Kundu P, Lombardo MV, Calhoun VD, Goldberg EK, Cohen C, Taub JW, Rabinak CA. (2018). Mindfulness and dynamic functional neural connectivity in children and adolescents. Behav Brain Res., https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2017.09.010
Summary: Children with mindfulness skills have more control over executive function and emotion regulation; Limited study, 42 children, ages 6 - 17... and more research that focuses on the benefits of Mindfulness-based interventions (Inner Explorer Research Page)
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