Mindfulness

“Mindfulness is paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally.”

 - Jon Kabat-Zinn, Founder, Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), University of Massachusetts Medical School

 

Abintra Montessori guides students in the practice of mindfulness throughout our classrooms. Mindfulness is an integral part of the social-emotional learning at Abintra and a strong compliment to the Montessori work and Positive Discipline practice that we embody. 

 

The Montessori Lower School sensorial curriculum includes a collection of lessons that are based in mindfulness. Through the work of differentiating sounds, smells, tastes, and textures, the student practices attention and focus. These same types of lessons form the basis of mindfulness practice. Continuing the work of mindfulness in a variety of ways throughout the lessons and ages supports self-regulation and attention. Students practice skills such as mindful breathing, mindful walking, and mindful listening. These lessons on mindfulness vary by classroom. A number of our guides are trained in the Mindful Schools Curriculum, and it is used in many of our classrooms.

 

The research on the benefits of mindfulness for adults is positive and strong. Mindfulness in education is the newest embodiment of mindfulness being scientifically researched. A number of studies are in process of validating the outcomes of Mindfulness Based Interventions in child and adolescent populations and the research is very promising. It indicates that mindfulness supports a number of core processes that fall under both attention and self-regulation – keys to academic and social-emotional learning.