17 May 2016
The staff at the Unit are undertaking an online course on Mindfulness to assist us to promote the well being of our students and ourselves. "Mindfulness is a simple, powerful technique that reduces stress and promotes well-being. Backed by over 30 years of research, mindfulness develops awareness of thoughts, emotions, and the body. This awareness allows you to identify sources of stress and anxiety before they intensify and become overwhelming" (www.mindfulschools.org/pdf/training- level1.pdf).
Why Mindfulness is Needed in Education
http://www.mindfulschools.org/about-mindfulness/mindfulness-in-education/#why-mindfulness-is-needed-in-education
"Healthy stress is a natural part of life, including childhood. Children and adults alike need to be challenged in order to grow and develop. However, in the modern education system, healthy stress is frequently displaced by toxic stress. Toxic stress occurs when life's demands consistently outpace our ability to cope with those demands.
Toxic stress impairs attention, emotion and mood regulation, sleep, and learning readiness daily in American classrooms. Even more troubling, prolonged exposure to childhood toxic stress has lifelong impacts on mental and physical health".