What is it

A dedicated space to take time away from class activities.

How it works

Create a space in the classroom that young people can utilise if they're in need of a break.

Instructions

Set-up a space that is comfortable, calming and has some activities students can take part it to help them calm and re-focus. The space might include different mindfulness props to help young people calm. This might include cushions, colouring materials or mindfulness props.

What is it

Collective garden space

How it works

Space young people can go when needing time away from class or for a dedicated activity during class.

Instructions

School can develop a community garden space that young people can interact with if needing time out. The space can be used to teach students about developing and caring for a garden and can be tended to by young people that need to 'cool off' before discussing behaviour issues.

http://www.natureplaywa.org.au/for-schools

Evaluation & Research

http://www.natureplaywa.org.au/natural-play-spaces-make-kids-more-active-and-less-depressed

What is it

Zen garden.

How it works

An outdoor space that encourages calm and interaction with nature.

Instructions

School can develop a garden space that can be used for discussing issues or working out plans with young people.

http://www.natureplaywa.org.au/for-schools

Evaluation & Research

http://www.natureplaywa.org.au/natural-play-spaces-make-kids-more-active-and-less-depressed

Who's Behind it

School's Counsellor or Chaplain

What is it

Providing a room that is centrally located and welcoming to students enables the school's counsellor or chaplain to utilise mindfulness techniques with students or groups of students

How it works

By providing a dedicated, centrally located space to the school's counsellor or chaplain signals the school's commitment to mindfulness and enables the counsellor or chaplain to implement mindfulness with students in a calm and developmentally appropriate space

Instructions

Allocate a central, quiet space to the school's counsellor or chaplain and provide funding for resources and activities to be used to encourage mindfulness or meditation practices with individual or small groups of students.

What is it

Posters or visual queues to remind students of different mindfulness techniques.

How it works

Place different mindfulness posters or visual queues around the school that can be referenced during the day.

Instructions

Poster resources:

What is it

Dedicated room for meditation.

How it works

Room set-up to easily administer meditations that includes music, comfortable places to sit and meditation props (chimes, glitter jars, posters).

Instructions

Teachers might use this room for a dedicated meditation time before exams or it can be used for young people who need to calm before dealing with behaviour issues.

What is it

In class or music over PA system.

How it works

Schools might decide to play relaxing music over the pa system during breaks or while students move between classes. Teachers also might play music during the lesson to help young people concentrate.

Instructions

Selection of free music: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/?feels%5B%5D=Calming

What is it

These magical glitter jars are the perfect sensory toy for children and grown ups alike. Designed to soothe and relax, the swirling patterns created by glitter, water and food colouring are ideal for calming down a stressed out child (or adult, for that matter) - leading to their alternative name, 'calm down jars'

How it works

Calm Down Bottles can serve as a visual “anchor” for upset children to bring their focus into one place or can be used to help young people calm down.

Instructions

Mindful Glitter Jar Instructions - http://www.preschoolinspirations.com/6-ways-to-make-a-calm-down-jar/