In classrooms across Australia, kids are learning that mental fitness isn't just something you're born with—it's something you can build, just like physical fitness. And it starts with practice.
Mindfulness in schools research
In 2016, independent researchers evaluated the Smiling Mind Mindfulness in Schools program.
Researchers from Deakin University and InsightSRC surveyed 12 schools, 104 teachers and 1,853 students to assess the impact of the Smiling Mind mindfulness program.
The results of this mindfulness in schools study indicated that by implementing our mindfulness program in schools you can directly assist with:
- improved mental health of students
- reductions in classroom disruptions
- emotional benefits for at-risk students
- early childhood development
- student engagement
- and even childhood anxiety
The world needs mindfulness and in this fast-paced, stressed and distracted world, the children of today probably need it more than any previous generation. Smiling Mind is taking mindfulness meditation to where it is needed most, into the hearts and minds of young Australians, in schools. – Dr Craig Hassed, Associate Professor - Monash University
Wellbeing is essential for learning. With mindfulness in schools students are more focused and more engaged learners.
We spoke to some of the teachers from our local community who have already implemented mindfulness practices in their schools using the Smiling Mind meditation app and curriculums.
Here's their 6 top tips on how to implement mindfulness in a primary school setting:
- Start building your own mental fitness
We've all heard it time and time again, 'put your oxygen mask on first', and we're here to make it easy for educators to support a personal mindfulness and meditation practice. Research shows that teachers who have their own practice increase their own mental wellbeing and that of their students. When your mind is calm, you may also find that your classroom also becomes more calm and productive. As a start, try one a quick grounding meditation in the free Smiling Mind App before students come into class. - Inspire & inform leadership on the value of mindfulness in schools.
A whole school approach is the best way to go when implementing mindfulness across your school. Start with the other teachers and the leadership team. Principals especially will be able to improve long-term outcomes. If you’re looking for a quick 101 on how to convince your colleagues to get onboard, you can find more information about our school program and the impact we're seeing here. - Make it stick
Kids and adults alike thrive with consistency, and a mental fitness routine is a great place to start Try choosing 1 time period for a minimum of 3 days per week to practice mindfulness in your school. Frequency is key. Pick a time of day that works for you, after lunch is the most popular as it helps students get back into work mode. As little as five minutes a day can make a big difference! - Engage & empower students
Between any regular SEL lessons (you can see a sample from our full School Program here!), the free Smiling Mind App is also here to support kids, families and adults to make mindfulness and mental fitness a lifelong habit. Try a class roster for who is in charge of mindfulness at school for that week, or encourage students to run their own mindfulness sessions. - Create a mindful classroom.
The space where students learn and play can make a big difference in sparking a sense of calm, curiosity and connection. This environment can shape their physical, mental and social health. Here’s a quick tip: co-creating the space can be a fun activity to do as a class at the beginning of the term. Get students to bring in their own cushion, or mindfulness trigger. Try these classroom posters to prompt pause, presence and mental fitness throughout the day. - Involve parents in the practice.
Encouraging parents to use Smiling Mind at home with their kids is a great way to see even more benefits for everyone. You'll find that if they have a practise at home, they'll build on this with you at school. To support this connection, the Smiling Mind School Program includes sample communications for every lesson that teachers can copy and paste directly into their school platform. This home-school connection helps parents reinforce the mental fitness skills their children are learning in class.
The Smiling Mind Primary School Program helps schools embed evidence-informed mental fitness into everyday learning, with curriculum-aligned lessons and ready-to-use resources.
They're designed to offer all the resources needed to support teachers in integrating the program materials directly into their classrooms. This enables widespread engagement and the ability to deliver programs on a large scale.
The Smiling Mind Primary School Program is co-designed with psychologists and educators. It builds social and emotional learning and mental fitness across the whole school community, with curriculum-aligned lessons and tailored training for educators.
Want to find out more about our whole school approach? Get in touch here.
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