Mindfulness Courses for Children Belfast

.breathe

.breathe is a four-session programme aimed at the 'transition’ years, ages 9-14.

It offers an opportunity for students to ‘dip their toes in mindfulness’, exploring the ways in which this might support them through the highs and lows of adolescent life.' (MiSP)

The course explores issues around:

'Attention - exploring how to work with a wandering mind through mindfulness.
Why humans worry, and how to support ourselves when we do so.
Sleep – why it is important and what to do if we struggle to sleep well.
Being with others – the opportunities and challenges of working skillfully with friendships and other relationships, both in person and online.' (MiSP)

Paws b

The Mindfulness in Schools Projects’ Paws b curriculum is a classroom-based mindfulness curriculum for 7-11-year olds.

It is made up of 6 themes that can be delivered over 6 weeks (one-hour sessions) or 12 weeks (30-minute sessions).

Paws b objectives

Paws b aims to equip children with Mindfulness as a life-skill, which can be used to help them with:

· managing stress and anxiety

· making better choices

· feeling happier, calmer and more fulfilled

· improving their relationships with others

· concentration

· enhancing creativity and performance

What's included:

Introductory information session on the mindfulness curriculum for teaching staff

(Paws b) 6 x one-hour sessions delivered over 6 weeks / or 12 half-hour sessions delivered over 12 weeks.

(. breathe) 4 x 40 minute sessions delivered over 4 weeks.

Class materials and additional worksheets

Information for parents

Booking enquiries

Additional Information

The Paws b and curriculum was co-developed by teachers with students from Ysgol Pen Y Bryn in North Wales alongside a senior mindfulness teacher and trainer with the Centre for Mindfulness Research and Practice at Bangor University in Wales (one of the most renowned institutions for mindfulness research and practice). The programme is taught using engaging visuals, film clips and activities which bring mindfulness to life and are appropriate for young children.

An important feature of the curriculum is the neuroscientific content. The Paws b development team worked with a leading neuroscientist to include the most accurate and up-to-date information about the brain. Children who take part in the Paws b course come away with a clear understanding of 4 key areas of the brain that we know can be developed and that work together like a team.

The evidence-based research confirming the positive effects of mindfulness practice when suitably applied for children is impressive. The Mindfulness in Schools Project published results which confirm that Paws b positively improved children’s moods and concentration levels:

"Recent developments in neuroscience now allow us to really appreciate the extent to which the brain, and therefore thought and behaviour, continue to change throughout our lives. The more we have particular types of thoughts and feelings, the more this repetition creates stronger synaptic connections – ‘wider roads’, if you like. This makes us more likely to have this particular type of thought or feeling again.

We can, literally, change our brains by training our minds. If we are feeling unhappy, if we are feeling deeply stressed, if we worry a lot, if we feel confused, then there are things that we can do about this. But it takes time and practice! Each of the Paws b lessons therefore include some practices to practice outside the lessons." (Mindfulness in Schools Project)

Find out more:

For more information on the benefits and impact of mindfulness on children and young people, please visit the Mindfulness in Schools Project’s website by clicking on the link below

Further information on mindfulness in schools

Developing creativity, entrepreneurship and teamwork