Meditation, not detention

You’re in a lesson, maybe you’re bored and you’re writing notes to your friend. Or you could
be finding the work too hard or it’s too hot in the classroom. You’re frustrated and angry and
you do something you shouldn’t do. Perhaps, talk while the teacher’s speaking or throw your
pen at someone. When I was at school and I did something naughty in class, I was given a
detention straight away. To be honest, I was always being sent to a classroom for an hour
after school to sit with other misbehaving kids. Once, I had been exchanging notes with a
friend at the back of the class during a lesson. I knew the teacher would be really annoyed if
she caught me, because I had failed an exam the day before. And, of course, she saw me
laughing at something my friend had written. Not only did she give me a detention after
school that day, but every day that week. I couldn’t believe it!

In some schools nowadays, though, teachers aren’t giving students detentions. Instead, they
are teaching kids across the country to meditate. The kids learn breathing techniques, how to
breathe with the stomach and completely empty their bodies with each exhalation. We all
know that breathing deeply helps us to calm down. It’s a fundamental skill in life and will
make us all more peaceful. Any time children find themselves in a stressful situation, they’ll
be able to regain control and think clearly. This is so much more useful than panicking or
getting angry. It will help everyone get along better.

Another part of meditation is self-reflection. Children learn how to look at their own actions
and behaviour in an honest way. They can see what caused them to feel angry and to react
aggressively. By learning about ourselves and understanding what makes us feel certain
emotions, we can work towards altering any negative behaviour. When I was young, for
example, I couldn’t accept constructive criticism, and I felt really offended any time I
received it. However, having since learned to reflect on the value of comments from others,
I’ve been able to improve my work and enjoy it more. This can be the same for children, who
experience immense pressure at school on a daily basis.

It doesn’t stop there either. A lot of teachers are asking children to co-teach meditation and
yoga classes after school. This is incredibly effective in building children’s confidence in a
safe, nurturing environment. The children are given the opportunity to show others how to
meditate or hold a certain posture. Teachers learn an awful lot about their own subject when
they teach, as kids ask different questions. Similarly, children learn even more by teaching
yoga. As well as that, the child-instructor rotates, so that everybody can have a go. Children
will see each other as equals and have respect for others. They will understand how
everybody has something important to share. Having taught classes, kids will also have the
knowledge to practise yoga and meditation wherever and whenever they want. It certainly
beats paying the extortionate prices for yoga classes that I’ve seen around

So, my new motto and one I’d like to share is – Meditation, not detention.
Read the article ‘Meditation, not detention’. Then, read the statements and
select True or False.

a) The writer is talking directly to the reader. true

b) The writer often behaved badly at school. true

c) On one occasion, the writer was given a detention after school every day for a

fortnight. false

d) The writer thinks that if everybody learns to breathe and keep calm, there will be fewer

problems between people. true

e) Self-reflection has helped the writer to criticise others in a positive, constructive way. 

false

f) By helping to teach yoga, children learn how to control the class.  yes