The Art and Science of Helping Children Become the Boss of their Minds
During the last ten years, many schools have introduced social and emotional learning programs which have focused on attentional control and self-regulation. Increasing these competencies has helped to create anti-bullying,
and other life skill programs. These programs, however, are missing a significant piece because they do not address emotional reactions and management of internal impulses. From a neurobiological perspective, we know that certain kinds of brain and nervous system functioning inhibit functioning in other parts of our systems. When we are stressed, threatened, anxious, or angry, our access to the parts of the brain where higher-level decision making occurs is compromised.
With a body of research supporting the art and science of learning how to self-regulate and shift attention, a variety of techniques can be implemented both at home and at school. For the techniques to work in stress and conflict situations, they must be practiced when the nervous system is more relaxed and at ease.
Practiced in manageable doses, a child's system can, over time, become accustomed to working with attention and awareness. When the autonomic nervous system is accelerating, the parasympathetic nervous system can be engaged to slow it down. This allows for an increase in focus and regulation of the emotions.
Mindfulness refers to paying attention, on purpose in the present moment without judgment. Neuroscientists are discovering the ways that attention control, self-awareness and emotional regulation are developed through mindfulness practice and how each correlates with brain structure and function. Strengthening those areas in the brain that allow us to respond to the events in our lives with greater skill and flexibility makes sense.
Mindfulness is NOT meditation. The intentions of meditation are different with tranquility, insight and bliss being pursued. Mindfulness is the ability to direct our attention and notice our experience and be with that experience in a sustained way, without over-reacting. When we understand that the mind regulates the flow of energy and information within our bodies, within our relationships and within our experiences, it makes sense to learn more about becoming aware of the power we have in each of us to become the boss.
I would like to introduce your child to a 6 week (two 30 minute sessions per week) program that will help him or her to become mindful of their own body, mindful of their own listening, mindful of their own thoughts and feelings. The program I will use has been developed by Mindful Schools www.mindfulschools.org, an organization that has been designing and implementing curriculum since 2007. Please contact me if you think this could be a resource for your child.
Copyright, Susan Dafoe-Abbey, 2017. This article in its original English or in translation may be used for educational purposes.
