Mindfulness in the Classroom: Strengthen Students’ Focus in 3 Minutes a Day

Mindfulness is more than paying attention. According to Jon Kabat-Zinn, a renowned mind-body author, mindfulness is that, yes, but done on purpose in the present moment, nonjudgmentally. Maura Bradley, the author of Mindfulness for Kids, defines mindfulness as “paying attention to where you are, what you’re doing, and how you’re feeling—all at the same time.” Bradley believes that mindfulness can improve all aspects of our lives by reducing stress and anxiety. It can also strengthen our ability to focus, she says.

In 2015, I participated in an eight-week mindfulness stress-reduction course based on Kabat-Zinn’s book Full Catastrophe Living. Each week, we learned a new mindfulness technique. The purpose of learning different methods, our instructor explained, was so we could find one that resonated with us.

At the time, I taught 2nd grade. I decided to teach the same exercises (simplified) to my students during our morning meeting. Each day, we spent two to three minutes practicing mindfulness. The results were incredible. All 20-plus students sat on the rug, criss-cross, with their eyes closed (usually). Parents thanked me, mentioning the enthusiasm that their children shared at home. I remember a child who fidgeted and appeared disengaged, yet his mom told me that he spoke fondly about our mindfulness routine. Another child wrote a note to me, asking if we could add a session in the afternoon. “It feels crazy when we come back from lunch. Can we try some mindfulness?”

Here are a few techniques to weave into your back-to-school lessons. If morning meeting is part of your repertoire, mindfulness fits seamlessly into this structured activity. The goal is not necessarily to do all the exercises below. Instead, choose one (or more) that works for you and your students. After a few weeks, mindfulness will become a regular part of your classroom routines, like packing up and placing lunch orders. Students will know exactly what to do.

The first lesson that I teach my students is to sit in their “mindful bodies.” Sitting this way helps to facilitate the different techniques to follow.