OCTOBER 3, 2011 EDUCATOR PROFESSIONAL DAY ISLAMIC ACADEMY OF NEW ENGLAND AL-NOOR ACADEMY BSU Classroom Management: Mindfulness—Creating a Calm and Respectful.

OCTOBER 3 , 2011EDUCATOR PROFESSIONAL DAY

ISLAMIC ACADEMY OF NEW ENGLAND AL-NOOR ACADEMY

BSU

Classroom Management: Mindfulness—Creating a Calm

and Respectful Classroom

Susan Eliason, Ed. D. Assistant ProfessorDepartment Of Elementary And Early Childhood Education 90 Burrill Avenue Hart Hall Room 121Bridgewater State UniversityBridgewater, MA 02325susan.eliason@bridgew.edu508.531.2986

Introduction

How do I cultivate mindfulness? Can mindfulness training for pre-service educators and classroom teachers result in compassionate classrooms for young children where they can become competent in affective as well as cognitive domains?

A calm mind reflects

Benefits

Emotional Management of emotions Reduces stress Focuses the mind Improves resiliency

Cognitively Supports functioning necessary for development &

learning

Supports Positive Classroom Management

Supports techniques of Encouraging the verbalization of feelingsModeling, Redirection, Positive Reinforcement, And Encouragement.

Opportunity to act intentionally

Discuss

What is your intention?How do you see your students?What is your body language?How often do you listen? How often do you speak? What are you listening for? What do you do when a student says “No”?

CONNECTIONS CREATE A CALM

AND RESPECTFUL CLASSROOM

Mindfulness in the Classroom

Stillness practices

Creation Process Practices

Relational practices

StorytellingDialogues or Giraffe Council

Movement practices

Conclusion

Questions?

References

Bays, J. C. 2011. How to Train a Wild Elephant and Other Adventures in Mindfulness: Simple Daily Mindfulness Practices For Living Life More Fully and Joyfully. Boston: Shambhala Publishing, Inc.

Das, S. L. 2011. Buddha Standard Time: Awakening to the Infinite Possibilities of Now. New York: HarperCollins.

Gilliam, W. S. & G. Shahar. 2006. “Preschool and Child Care Expulsion and Suspension: Rates and Predictors in One State.” Infants & Young Children. 19 (3). 228–245.

Grossman, P., L. Niemann, S. Schmidt, & H. Walach. 2004. “Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Health Benefits: A Meta-Analysis.” Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 57 (1), 35-43. doi:10.1016/S0022-3999(03)00573-7

Hanh, T. N. 2011. Planting Seeds: Practicing Mindfulness with Children. Berkeley, CA: Parallax Press.

References

Hart, S. & V. K. Hodson. 2004. The Compassionate Classroom: Relationship Based Teaching and Learning. Encinitas, CA: PuddleDancer Press.

Jenkins, P. J. 2008. Nurturing Spirituality in Children. New York: Atria.

Jennings, P. 2011. “Mindfulness and Learning: What’s the Connection?” http://mindful.org/the-mindful-society/education/mindfulness-and-learning-what%E2%80%99s-the-connection

Jennings, P. A., & M. T. Greenberg. 2009. “The Prosocial Classroom: Teacher Social and Emotional Competence in Relation to Student and Classroom Outcomes.” Review of Educational Research, 79 (1), 491– 525. doi:10.3102/0034654308325693

Molnar, C. 2010. “Mindfulness Training Changes the Brain and Builds Neuropsychological Resources.” The Pennsylvania Psychologist Quarterly, 8 (11), 8.

References

NAEYC. 2009. “Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs Serving Children from Birth Through Age 8.” Position statement. Washington, DC: Author. http://www.naeyc.org/positionstatements/dap.

Qi, C. H., & A. P. Kaiser. 2003. “Behavior Problems of Preschool Children From Low-Income Families: Review of The Literature.” Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 23, 188–216.

Schoeberlein, D. & S. Sheth. 2009. Mindful Teaching And Teaching Mindfulness: A Guide For Anyone Who Teaches Anything. Boston: Wisdom Publications.

Shonkoff, J.P. & D. A. Phillips, eds. 2000. From Neurons to Neighborhoods: The Science of Early Childhood Development. A report of the National Research Council. Washington, DC: National Academies Press.

References

Sidelinger, T. 2004. “The Problem of Burnout among Early Educators and how it may lead to Staff Turnover.” (Unpublished master thesis. University of Maine, Farmington, ME).

Smith, B. J., & L. Fox. 2003. “Systems of Service Delivery: A Synthesis of Evidence Relevant to Young Children at Risk of or Who Have Challenging Behavior.” Center for Evidence-based Practice: Young Children with Challenging Behavior. www.challengingbehavior.org.

Whitebook, M. & L. Sakai. 2003. “Turnover Begets Turnover: An Examination of Job and Occupational Instability among Child Care Center Staff.” Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 18, 273–293.

Willard, C. 2010. Child’s Mind: Mindfulness Practices to help our Children be More Focused, Calm, and Relaxed. Berkely, CA: Parallax Press.