faqs for schools
what are the potential benefits of mindfulness?
Thousands of research studies have evaluated the effects of mindfulness training in many contexts, and they identify consistent potential benefits to adults’ psychological health and wellbeing.
Mindfulness training...
...increases activity and grey matter density in the Hippocampus, enhancing memory, ability to learn and regulation of the Amygdala.
...decreases activity and grey matter density in the Amygdala. The Amygdala is activated by, and reacts to, strong emotions such as fear.
...strengthens the pre-frontal cortex helping us to think, plan, do things on purpose and regulate our emotions more effectively.
Although more in-depth child-specific studies are needed, following mindfulness training, young people are reporting improvements in the following:
Feeling calmer and more positive
More able to cope with stress and anxiety
Improving concentration and focus
Getting on better with others
Mindfulness training may help our young people to navigate through the inevitable ups and downs of growing up, be more able to focus in the classroom and cultivate useful skills to take with them into adulthood.
what is .b, pronounced [dot-be]?
.b, pronounced [dot-be], stands for ‘Stop, Breathe and Be!’ is the name for the range of courses created by Mindfulness in Schools Project, a charity whose aim is to encourage, support and research the teaching of secular mindfulness in schools.
It is a fun, engaging and useful ten-session mindfulness course for young people aged between 11 - 18yrs, adapted from the adult courses Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy. It has been evaluated positively by the University of Cambridge and Oxford Brookes, and can be used in a wide range of contexts and age ranges.
how do people learn mindfulness?
Mindfulness is always learned in a highly practical way, through experience rather than talk. We gradually learn to direct our attention in a more focused way to whatever is actually happening - whether it be our breathing, the sensations in our body, thoughts and feelings, or everyday activities such as walking and eating.
is it difficult?
At first, the mind wanders constantly, but with practice, we learn to sustain our attention and direct it more skilfully. This helps break the grip of unhelpful mental habits, judgements and impulses, making way for greater calm, and for more helpful, kinder and rational thinking about all aspects of life. However, it takes practice!
what makes .b distinctive?
.b was carefully crafted by classroom teachers to engage everyone, including the most cynical of student audiences. It is taught with striking visuals, film clips and activities that bring mindfulness to life without losing the expertise and integrity of classic mindfulness teaching.
what are .b’s objectives?
.b aims to give students mindfulness as a lifeskill. Students use it …
• to feel happier, calmer and more fulfilled
• to get on better with others
• to help them concentrate and learn better
• to help cope with stress and anxiety
• to perform better music and sport.
is the mind hub qualified to teach .b?
Yes, Tricia Wilkie has completed a MiSP Teach .b Certification Course and is trained to teach. Tricia also has two children of her own one of which has already benefitted from mindfulness training.
