Parents, Teachers, Schools, Meditation 2 minute read

Success story of meditation in schools

In this article Canterbury College Guidance Counsellor Michelle Sams provides her first hand account of the success she found after introducing meditation in schools. 

***

Questions on meditation in schools

What are the benefits of using mindfulness and meditation to increase academic outcomes?

What evidence do we have that being ‘still’ or living in the present moment is actually a preventative mental health strategy?

What specific technology is available to help students meditate and build wellbeing in school settings?

Canterbury College contemplated these questions, researched the many and varied meditation programs on offer, and then discovered Smiling Mind.

thumb_img_7554_1024

Introducing meditation in schools

Over four years ago, as Guidance Counsellor I began using the Smiling Mind web based meditation tools with individual students. The outcomes were so consistently positive that Mrs Donna Anderson (Head of College) decided to implement meditation in school across the entire college.

In 2015, we hosted a series of Smiling Mind training workshops for students, staff and parents led by Mrs Kay Watts – Research and Education Project Manager from the organisation.

Mrs Kay Watts and myself ran a number of meditation and mindfulness in schools workshops for students with great responses and feedback being received from children in years 3 to 6, and young people in years 7 -12.

Kay trained all academic staff at Canterbury over two twilight sessions and our school has continued to use the Smiling Mind Mindfulness Education, Individual meditations, and Sport Programs across the entire college (K-12). We implemented meditations via whole year-level workshops, assemblies, pastoral care classes, junior classes, and rugby training sessions.

Recognising the current statistics and dealing with increasing numbers of students experiencing significant stress and mental health problems made finding a well-researched and technologically friendly meditation program essential.

Meditation app to support mindfulness in schools

Smiling Mind utilises technology as a fundamental means to attract young people to the concept of wellbeing, and understands that web and app based programs are two of the most utilised methods for sharing information in children and young people.

The Smiling Mind program is easy to access and use, and is free, so everyone can gain benefit from its guided mediations.

Canterbury College is continuing to enjoy its journey through Smiling Mind’s Education, Individual and Sport Programs, seeing and experiencing the diverse range of meditations available as well as perusing the comprehensive manuals, downloadable MP3’s and videos.

The meditation in schools program is so adaptable that any staff member, student or parent can use it. Many students and staff members have already downloaded the new app and accessed the new Smiling Mind website to support their mindfulness journey at school.

There is much research and media attention outlining the effectiveness for children and adults participating in regular mindful meditation including reductions in stress, better mental health, greater wellbeing, increased kindness, increased cognitive performance and enhanced job performance.

Canterbury College is dedicated to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of its staff and students. We will continue to join Smiling Mind with the ultimate aim of enhancing mindfulness in schools to bring about positive mind states such as calm, acceptance, clarity, compassion and happiness in all members of our college community.

Enjoy this video highlighting mindfulness in our school;

 

 

***

Smiling Mind have developed easy-to-follow curriculums for every school age including exactly how to implement mindfulness in any school whilst embedding a mindful culture amongst students.

Smiling Mind’s vision is to see Mindfulness Meditation on the national Australian school curriculum by 2020. 

We will do so by providing accessible, life-long tools to support healthy minds through our FREE mindfulness app with supporting education programs. We are a 100% not-for-profit organisation that works to make mindfulness accessible to all.

Smiling Mind app is a completely free mindfulness tool that you can use on your smartphone - anytime, anywhere.

Smiling Mind

Written by Smiling Mind

Latest

Empowering Generations: A Bold Partnership to Transform Mental Health for Australia’s Women and Girls

Creating generational change in mental health for Australia’s young girls and women is the driving force behind a new 3-...

Children, Family, Parents, Mental Fitness 3 minute read

Mental Health in the Workplace: Why it Matters, with Mental Fitness Tips for SMEs

Did you know that one in three small and medium sized business owners identify mental health as their top concern? It's ...

Workplace, Business, Meditation 14 minute read

Moving from mental health to mental fitness, smashing the stigma

Smiling Mind, Australia’s leading digital-led, child focussed, mental health not-for -profit, has pioneered a new approa...

Mental Fitness 3 minute read

How to Practise Mental Fitness in the Smiling Mind App

Let's take a deep-dive into the new Smiling Mind App, with tips and tricks for navigating the new interface, content and...

Mental Fitness 10 minute read

At home

Empowering Generations: A Bold Partnership to Transform Mental Health for Australia’s Women and Girls

Creating generational change in mental health for Australia’s young girls and women is the driving force behind a new 3-...

Children, Family, Parents, Mental Fitness 3 minute read

Don’t forget Our Kids this budget, Prime Minister

Tomorrow’s budget announcement will be an important reflection of what we care about as a nation. There’s an opportunity...

Children, Family, Mental Health, Media release 3 minute read

Why a ‘Blended’ Approach to Social and Emotional Learning in Schools Can Create Greater Impact

Schools, and the educators that work within them, are in a unique and influential position. They have the ability to cre...

Children, Schools 18 minute read

At Work

Mental Health in the Workplace: Why it Matters, with Mental Fitness Tips for SMEs

Did you know that one in three small and medium sized business owners identify mental health as their top concern? It's ...

Workplace, Business, Meditation 14 minute read

Empower Your Mind: How to Develop a Growth Mindset

Active learning, hard work and valuable feedback can change our brains—literally. Our intelligence is malleable and when...

Workplace, Tips & Tricks, Family 8 minute read

Leading the Way to Wellbeing: How Managers Can Counteract Workplace Stressors

Investing in workplace mental wellbeing is quickly becoming the dividing factor between a thriving business, and one tha...

Workplace, Tips & Tricks 11 minute read

At school

How to Encourage Friendships in the Classroom: A Guide for Teachers

Forging healthy classroom connections is an integral part of a child’s emotional and social learning in school. These co...

Tips & Tricks, Teachers, Students, Schools 9 minute read

Why a ‘Blended’ Approach to Social and Emotional Learning in Schools Can Create Greater Impact

Schools, and the educators that work within them, are in a unique and influential position. They have the ability to cre...

Children, Schools 18 minute read

How to set your classroom up for success when it comes to SEL to build student (and teacher!) mental fitness

Cassandra Furst is a passionate primary school teacher who creates a positive learning environment that encourages curio...

Teachers, Students, Schools 8 minute read

News

"A social media band-aid won’t stick": Smiling Mind's take on Australia's Proposed Under 16 Social Media Ban

The recent petition to ban Australian children under 16 from social media is filled with great intentions in the face of...

Parents, Mental Health, Media release, Mental Fitness 3 minute read

Children’s mental health the losers of this year’s budget

The 2025 Federal Budget has failed our children, according to Australia’s leading children’s mental health not-for-profi...

Mental Health, Media release 3 minute read

Don’t forget Our Kids this budget, Prime Minister

Tomorrow’s budget announcement will be an important reflection of what we care about as a nation. There’s an opportunity...

Children, Family, Mental Health, Media release 3 minute read