by

what is…

“Meditation involves trying to train your thoughts

to stay in the present moment... being totally
focused in the present moment means that you do
not think about the past or the future, and are
freed (for as long as the meditation session lasts)
from the negative emotions (stress) that
accompany those thoughts” (Evans 2016, p.2 )
Whole
class
scenario
 Coping
Strategies
Diaphragmatic Breathing Behavioural Self-Control
Progressive Relaxation Assertiveness Training
Training Social Skills Training
Exercise
Self-Instruction Training
Cognitive Restructuring

(Larrivee 2009 , p . 356 )

 Strategy One: ❖ As a result, you will
encounter deep and
even breathing
Diaphragmatic Breathing or which will:
✓ Decrease
Belly Breathing anxiety.
❖ Diaphragmatic breathing is a type of relaxation ✓ Decrease
method that uses the diaphragm (muscle above stress.
stomach and below ribs) (UNC 2016). ✓ Slow down
❖ The stomach rises and falls when the lungs fill breathing.
and empty with air (UNC 2016). ✓ Trigger
❖ When we encounter ‘fight or flight’ mode as a response
response to conflict or stress, we begin shallow mode.
breathing. However, belly breathing and fight or
flight are considered ‘mutually exclusive’ (they
cannot occur at the same time) (Cooper 2018).
Strategy Practice is Key!
Two: (Loundon 2004 )
(Larrivee 2009 )
❖ Practicing relaxation exercises daily helps students learn
how to relax and calm themselves.
❖ Once students have learned the exercises

Tension Release they can be encouraged to use the

techniques when they are feeling stressed
❖ Much more difficult to learn – but produces a deeper or anxious – to become self-regulated.
and longer-lasting state of relaxation. ❖ It is best to practice when there is no
❖ Tensing and relaxing individual groups of muscles. distress.
❖ Learning the difference between these two states will ❖ Practice at least once a day when there is
make it easier to recgonise tension within your body in little chance of interruption or distraction.
a stressful situation and use the ‘tension release’ to
help achieve relaxation in particular muscle groups.
❖ Demonstrates effectiveness in helping students reduce
and control nonattending behaviours, decrease anxiety
levels, while thinking and feeling more calmly.
Thinking hat s
✓ Gives children the tools to deal
with emotional challenges and ✓ Guided meditation (Smiling Mind)
release negative emotions. ✓ Listen to calm music.
✓ Improved psychological well-being. ✓ Clay or Art (Colouring)
✓ More calm, focused and settled. ✓ Exercise (Yoga)
✓ Less stress and depression.
✓ Better behaviour.

✓ In turn, students applying

meditation strategies
✓ Be an (authentic model). in their own time
✓ Use the strategies yourself and when stress or
share how you are doing them conflict is
and when you might use them. encountered.
✓ Disclose your thinking process. (Larrivee 2009 )
 Course Curriculum
Principles preferable to
is
Link
external control as
it builds learner
Children's learning is capacity. Years 3 and 4
best when Describe and apply strategies
that can be used in situations
their teachers use that make them feel
An educational
uncomfortable or unsafe
involving care and approach supports (ACPP0 3 5 )
guidance. the development of Identify and practice
strategies to promote health,
safety and wellbeing
(ACPP0 3 6 ) (ACARA 2018 )
Setting Students

Self
 References
Evans, J 2016, ‘How to Meditate: A Primer for Beginners’, Companion Websites, pp. 1-9,
https://global.oup.com/us/companion.websites/9780195371109/pdf/00_Mullin_Appendix_10.pdf
ACARA 2018, ‘Health and Physical Education, Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority, F-10 Curriculum, Sydney NSW,
https://australiancurriculum.edu.au/f-10-curriculum/health-and-physical-education/
UNC Health Care 2016, ‘Diaphragmatic Breathing’, Patient Education: Side Effect and Symptom Management Series, p.1,
<https://www.uncmedicalcenter.org/app/files/public/196/pdf-medctr-rehab-diaphbreathing.pdf>
Cooper, J 2018, ‘Calming Breathing Exercises for Kids’, Adventures in Learning, PBS Parents, http://www.pbs.org/parents/adventures-in-learning/2015/09/calming-
breathing-exercise-for-kids/
Loundon, S 2004, ‘Teaching Meditation to Children and Beginners’, Meditation for Kids, Insight Journal, <https://www.bemindful.org/med4kids.pdf>
De Bono n.d., ‘Six Thinking Hats’, The de Bono Group, <http://www.debonogroup.com/six_thinking_hats.php>
Slaviero, T 2017, ‘The Impact of Guided Meditation on Children’s Behaviour, Mental Health and Well-Being, Thesis, Swinburne University of Technology,
<https://researchbank.swinburne.edu.au/file/0b9cea58-5b7d-49a8-b2b7-f0ec7ba9e8b9/1/Tania%20Slaviero%20Thesis.pdf>

YouTube Clips:
Belly Breathing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ur2XvuXPfos
Progressive Muscle Relaxation for Kids: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDKyRpW-Yuc
Relaxing, anti stress music – available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-HKSdLms8Y