Mindfulness in Grade 3

In Grade 3 students have been "adding to their toolbox" of ways to help them be better students and friends. The next tool they've learned about is mindfulness.  Sometimes we all need to "take a pause" to focus on the here and now and calm our brains and our bodies. Sometimes things get in the way of students being able to problem solve and use their social thinking skills so learning mindfulness is an important tool that needs to be practiced like all new skills!

At the beginning of every lesson a student is selected to ring the chime and a new breathing strategy is introduced. So far we've done "5 finger breathing" and "candle breath." Ask your kids to show you!

(Picture an imaginary candle with your eyes closed. Focus on the breath and control your breathing so when you exhale with your mouth you don't blow your candle out.)

We will continue to work on our mindfulness strategies throughout the year. These strategies only work if kids practice them!