I presented a workshop yesterday on music, movement and mindfulness in the classroom. I began by explaining that while these three things are vitally important for kids in and of themselves, the bigger reason I bring them into schools is that they’re an incredible vehicle for social-emotional learning: they help kids learn the critical skills of self-awareness, self-regulation, the ability to focus, and the development of compassion and empathy.
The counselors, teachers, and school staff attending were wonderfully enthusiastic and open to all my ideas, trying my Mindful Moments for Kids, getting up for some yoga even though most had never done it before, doing woodchopper breath and candle breath and tongue twisters to a drumbeat and lots more. Many of them spoke to me afterward about bringing me to their schools for more teacher development, assemblies, and such. So happy that schools are getting it and the word is spreading!