The use of meditation in the classroom is quickly catching on. More and more teachers are seeing firsthand how meditation helps their students settle in, focus, and be fully present with their school work. More importantly, teaching students to meditate can help them learn to manage anxiety, stress, and depression.
If you’re just getting started, and you want to learn more about introducing the practice of meditation to your students check out this post about introducing meditation in your classroom.
The following meditation is a simple and effective way to set students up for success and help them get focused. You can use it at the beginning of class or anytime you need to help your students “reset.”
Step 1: Invite students to sit up tall in their chairs with both feet planted firmly on the floor.
Step 2: Tell students to gently close their eyes. Some students might feel uncomfortable or vulnerable with their eyes closed, so at this point you may also offer students the option to put their head down on the desk.
Step 3: Prompt students to take deep slow breaths. Wait for about five cycles of breath before moving to the next step.
Step 4: Tell students to notice how they are feeling right now. Give them a few more breaths to do this.
Step 5: Now invite them to picture in their minds how they would like this day or class period to go. Ask a few prompting questions like: What would a “successful” class period look like for you? How would you like to feel throughout the class? How would you like to feel at the end of class? What would you like to accomplish today?
Tip for success with Step 5: Briefly reviewing the class agenda before beginning the meditation can help students form a more focused mental image. Giving them a preview of the day’s activities will (might?) prevent them from imagining a successful nap or pizza party.
Step 6: Then give them some space and silence to imagine their version of a “successful” class period. Wait about three minutes before moving to the next step.
Step 7: Finally, invite students to return their attention to their breath. Wait for about three more cycles of breath.
Step 8: Tell them to slowly open their eyes and take in the room.
Step 9: At this point you may invite your students to carry any positive feelings they have cultivated (maybe feelings of success, accomplishment, or peace) with them as they continue today’s learning activities.
Whether you follow these steps precisely or make this meditation your own, I hope you’ll try it out with your students. I’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment below and let me know how it went!
