Foundations: Mindfulness

Mindfulness is the state of active and non-judgmental awareness of the present moment. In other words, it’s when we bring our attention to the here-and-now without labeling what’s happening as good, bad, or anything else.

While mindfulness has its origins in contemplative wisdom traditions, it has evolved and been widely adapted into secular contexts, such as psychology, education, and healthcare because of its many benefits. It has been scientifically proven to aid stress reduction, increase self-awareness, improve resilience, and enhance focus and concentration.

FocusedKids uses mindful exercises to help teachers and students practice slowing down and focusing on one thing at a time. These practices wire the brain for better self-regulation and more calm.

Mindfulness also helps strengthen the prefrontal cortex which is the region of the brain responsible for higher-order thinking (e.g., critical thinking, problem-solving, analysis, evaluation, and creativity).

Mindful exercises and practices are key to building a state of integration between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.