Mindful Moments
At Redhill, we have developed our own, tailor-made package of activities to support children's wellbeing throughout the day at our school.
These activities have been carefully curated to suit a range of needs which can arise in a school day and to provide teachers and children with easy to implement activities which can be readily accessed and adapted in response to observed needs.
We have categorised these activities in to five key categories:
Focus
Some Mindful Moments are selected to support children in nurturing their focus and concentration. This may be by focussing their concentration internally on how they are feeling mentally or physically, or, they may be short activities and challenges, unrelated to the curriculum, which allow the children a risk-free moment to develop their concentration skills.
Calm
At certain points in a day, any person can need a moment to re-centre themselves and calm both their mind and body down. These activities have been selected for the times when children’s cups are a little too full and they need a moment to decompress and settle themselves.
Transition
Transitions between break times, dinner times and lessons can always be a point of potential haste in the day where everyone is rushing to get ready for the next session. These activities have been selected to engage children in a calm, meaningful activity which both allows a brain break from the mental load of learning and a moment of focussed calm to ready their minds for the next lesson.
Move
In the same way that we all need moments of calm during a day, we also need moments of activity and movement to energise our minds and bodies. These activities have been selected as controlled moments for children to shake themselves up, wake themselves up and fill up their cups when they are beginning to run low.
Reflect
A lot can happen in a single day for a child at school. Organising and understanding this information takes patience, skill and a high level of cognitive energy. These activities provide scaffolded ways of reflecting on your day, your week, your term or even your feelings in the current moment. They are intended to support children in leaving school each day feeling calm, content and safe.
Underlying Research-Based Principles of our approach
Mindful Moments Ground Rules
Be kind – We want everyone to feel free to be themselves and express themselves during our Mindful Moments so always be kind and allow people to be exactly who they are.
Be Respectful – Everyone deserves to participate in these activities so make sure you are not interrupting, deliberately distracting or inhibiting other children.
Listen – Listen to your teacher and listen to other children’s contributions.
Be sensible – Some of these sessions will be fun and active. Whilst we want you to express yourselves, you must remember the difference between having fun and being silly.
Be brave – Your classroom is a safe place to relax and be yourself. Be brave – share your work, your thoughts and your ideas without any fear of judgement.
Be present – These activities can help you take care of your wellbeing and help you have the best day possible. These are chances to let your mind drift in a constructive way – stay aware of the reason behind these Mindful Moments and enjoy the activity we are doing.