Time
10-15 minutes
Level
Primary / Junior / Intermediate
Material
Clipboard, writing materials
Purpose
To help students develop a deeper mind/body awareness within themselves and with the world around them
Discuss with students the importance of appreciating the world around us and using our senses to build a deeper awareness of the beauty that is everywhere. A daily walk is a way to nurture present moment awareness.
- Before going outside, brainstorm with students what they think they will see/hear/feel.
- Once outside, students find a spot to sit that is away from others.
- Then, students are asked to look around and notice the things they can see/hear/feel.
- Students can draw or write about what they see/hear/feel (optional).
- To consolidate the activity, gather as a group and share the drawings/writings.
- Complementary practices:
- Snowstorm in a bag (Stress management and coping skills)
- Deep belly breathing (Stress management and coping skills)
- Breathe with the bell (Stress management and coping skills)
- Take five breathing (Stress management and coping skills)
- Breathing techniques can be incorporated in the practice to help students refocus when distracted.
Practicing awareness using the senses is a grounding technique and element of mindfulness, which can be cultivated to calm anxiety, regulate emotions, and improve concentration and alertness (Felver, Celis-de Hoyos, Tezanos, & Singh, 2016; Sampaio de Carvalho, Pinto, & Marôco, 2017).
Felver, J. C., Celis-de Hoyos, C. E., Tezanos, K., & Singh, N. N. (2016). A Systematic Review of Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Youth in School Settings. Mindfulness, 7(1), 34-45. doi:10.1007/s12671-015-0389-4
Sampaio de Carvalho, J., Pinto, A. M., & Marôco, J. (2017). Results of a Mindfulness-Based Social-Emotional Learning Program on Portuguese Elementary Students and Teachers: a Quasi-Experimental Study. Mindfulness, 8(2), 337-350. doi:10.1007/s12671-016-0603-z
Taking time to acknowledge and celebrate the world around us, all of the living and non-living things that God created provides an opportunity to make meaningful connections to Scripture. It also provides opportunity to live our Catholic values and virtues through action.
(7i) A responsible citizen who contributes to the common good.
Belonging and contributing: to develop a sense of connectedness to others and understanding their relationship with the world around them
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