10 Mindfulness Activities for the Classroom

10 Mindfulness Activities for the Classroom

10 Mindfulness Activities for the Classroom

I've done a number of Professional Development classes for fellow teachers on mindfulness and how to incorporate it into the classroom setting. Most teachers are willing but lack the knowledge of where to begin and what activities to do. These 10 activities can help you start building a Mindful Classroom.  Bringing mindfulness into the classroom has many social and emotional benefits for both students and teachers. I know from experience that it not only helps to build a classroom community, but it allows students to express themselves and learn techniques to relieve stress and frustration. While this article is on Mindfulness in the Classroom this can be used for home school, sports, or any after-school activity.

If you are interested in creating a Mindful Classroom, see my blog posts 5 Steps to Teaching Mindfulness or Teaching Mindfulness in the Classroom - When Do I Have Time?

Here are 10 Mindfulness Activities to use in the classroom: 

1.  Meditation

Meditation is probably the mindful exercise that most people are familiar with.  There are a number of ways to practice meditation.  Whether seated in a chair, standing, or sitting on the ground, meditation allows students to take a minute, calm themselves, and listen to their bodies.  Including videos, apps, and Class Dojo, there are numerous resources that can guide you.  The only thing I suggest is that the teacher also has a meditation practice.  This allows you to guide your students more successfully.

2.  Balancing a Feather

My students love this one!  It helps them with focus and being present in the moment.  The exercise is very easy.  Give each student a feather.  For 2-3 minutes ask them to balance it in the palm of their hands.  Of course, some want to balance it on their finger or even their nose!!  Let them. They have to be present and focused on the feather in order for this activity to be successful.

3. Visualization 

This is another activity that my students ask for.  Visualization is a great tool to help students relax and increase growth-mindset.  My favorite activity is to have the students sit at their desks, feet on the floor, backs straight, and hands in their laps.  I ask them to pick an animal.  Then I have them close their eyes and picture that they are looking through the eyes of that animal.  Then I guide them in asking what they see around them, what they hear, touch, smell, and even taste.  I do this activity for 2 minutes.  Then, have students share.  It's very interesting to hear their feedback.  One student once was a shark with lasers for eyes!  This can also be done with different settings.  I've had them image themselves at the beach, forest, mountaintop, etc.

 4. Gratitude

Gratitude is a must when it comes to mindful activities.  Appreciating what you have, instead of what you lack, is a foundation for emotional stability.  Again, there are many resources on gratitude on the internet, but a basic activity is to have your students list 3 things they are grateful for every day. Besides my post on Gratitude Activities which you can find here, I have created Gratitude Worksheets for the classroom  which can be purchased at my Teachers Pay Teachers Store (The Mindful English Classroom) or my Etsy Store (themindfulgoodsstore)

5. Mindful Observation

This activity is probably the easiest one.  All a student has to do is look around the room.  During two minutes of silence ask them to identify 5 things they can see, 4 things they can hear, 3 things they can touch, 2 things they can smell and 1 thing they can taste.  If they are unable to find some of these things, ask them to imagine one of their favorite, smell, touch, taste, etc...  This helps with being present, seeing their surrounding for what they are, and paying attention to the small details they may miss from not being mindful.

6. Mindful Listening

Not everybody is a good listener, but they should be.  Mindful Listening activities can consist of a simple game of telephone or the following activity.  Have your students find a partner.  Give them a topic. Topics should be simple, such as a favorite flower or food.  Have students decide who is going to be #1 and who is #2.  Student #1 starts first and for 30 seconds speaks to student #2 about the given topic.  For the next 30 seconds to 1-minute student #2 must repeat back to student #1 what they said.  Then have them switch.  This ensures that the student is really listening to their partner instead of just thinking about what they are going to say when it is their turn. Check out my post on Mindful Listening here.

7. Body Awareness

Body Awareness and Physical Literacy are an important aspect of mindfulness.  Not only paying attention to our environment, but also to ourselves.  An easy and quick exercise to do with your students begins with the breath. Students should sit straight in their chairs, feet on the ground, hands in their laps and eyes closed.  Have them silently focus on their breath for 2 minutes.  If their minds wander, gently remind them to acknowledge their mind wandering and ask them to refocus on their breath.  Another quick activity is to have students shake their arms and legs for 30 seconds.  Then, when they are done have them give you feedback on how their bodies felt before and after the exercise. For more information on Physical Literacy check out this post.

8. Coloring Feelings

Who doesn't like to color?  What if you were asked to color your feeling?  This exercise helps students get in touch with their current emotions.  I don't think I need to explain why this is so important to social and emotional development.  If a student can express their feelings, it makes them easier for them to deal with them.  I have done a brainstorming of feelings and ask students to list their current feeling and color code them.  They are then free to create whatever picture they choose to represent those feelings.  Don't force students to share if they don't want to, but allow them to take their feeling home with them. I also have worksheets I created for this at my Teachers Pay Teachers Store and Etsy Shop.

9. Qi Gong/ Ti Chi/ Yoga

Qigong is a Chinese system of physical exercises and breathing control related to tai chi. Just as there are many different kinds of ways of learning, this kinesthetic activity helps students who have difficulty sitting still.  There are a variety of different Youtube videos than can be found, many under 3 minutes.  Having a brain break during the day and getting up and moving is also beneficial to anyone.

10. Positive Affirmations

Way to Go!  You're the Best!  Who doesn't want to have someone say something positive to them during the day?  During this exercise I have students create index cards with positive saying on them. They then pass them out to other students during the school day. This simple random act of kindness has results that spread throughout the school.

So, there are 10 ways in which you can bring mindful practice to your classroom.  If you are still interested in mindfulness and how to incorporate it into your classroom, check out the One-Minute Mindfulness Cards I created to help teachers like you.