Students at Northwood Elementary School in Hilton are taking a minute to be mindful before starting their day. During the morning announcements, students are practicing a minute of mindfulness where they listen to a chime with their palms up, then turn their palms over when the tone fades, and then up again when the tone chimes again over the course of one minute. The exercise not only helps students use their senses to focus on one thing only, but is part of the Hilton School District’s focus on Social-Emotional Learning (SEL).
SEL is the process through which individuals understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, demonstrate empathy for others, and maintain positive relationships. Mindfulness is one of the current practices that supports SEL. The act of mindfulness is simply being fully present in the moment and using strategies to overcome chaos, stress, negative feelings, pressures, and anxiety.
“The whole school stops, practices a mindful minute and then starts the day out centered and present,” said Assistant principal Kelley O’Connell-Byrne. “We feel it is very powerful, and the kids are so good at it!”
In addition to the Fading Tone practice, students have learned Mindful Breathing – taking three breaths, in through the nose for four, hold for two, and out for four. Mindful Breathing triggers neurons in the brain that tell the body it is time to calm down.
Rachel Pignagrande, fourth grader teacher, also has her students begin their day by writing in their gratitude journals and participate in another Mindful Minute later in the school day.
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