Studies support students on the spectrum benefit from mindfulness activities. In addition, adults participating with children will also improve their own wellbeing. Mindfulness activities can be introduced to our youngest students and are fantastic for inclusive settings. Here are five activities increasing self-awareness, self-regulation, and relationship skills, while decreasing stress and challenging behaviors. Strike a […]
As teachers and parents, we know the words we use with our children matter. We know benchmarks need to consider preferences, interests, needs and strengths. We are caregivers, spending our days nurturing each child the best we can. However, unless we model our own self-care and the power behind PAUSE, we not only will run […]
Developing a Personal Statement or Mantra. Adding mindfulness to movement can be difficult for anyone. We are asked to focus on our breath while remembering the basics of a yoga pose. Thoughts will pop into our heads and we are told to acknowledge them and breathe them out. Thoughts like, “I am not that flexible!”, […]
With more and more states implementing Social and Emotional Learning standards (SEL), we as educators should be excited. However, many teachers I have talked to are concerned about the when and how of adding these standards to their curriculum. The report from a Nation of Risk to a Nation of Hope states, “The promotion of […]
When I was young, I imagined coming down the stairs after putting my children to bed and relaxing, as I remember my mom doing. That day came and I have truly enjoyed every minute of the day being a parent. Not to say there weren’t tough days, but that comes with the territory. It is […]
We recently had the opportunity to have a quiet moment on the beach of Lake Michigan. It was a peaceful weekend at the end of my winter break and we returned to the mountains to ski. If there is a beach nearby, I am going to find it and walk. It allows me to be […]
With only a few days into a New Year, we may feel a bit discouraged with our New Year’s resolution. The U.S. News reports by mid-February roughly 80% of all resolutions have failed. The definition of a resolution might be part of the problem for many of us. A resolution is a firm decision to […]
