Teaching Sequence

Tune In

Introducing mindfulness

Find Out

The benefits of mindfulness

Take Action

Expanding your mindfulness practice

Tune In: Introducing mindfulness

Preparation

Use this activity as a ‘mindful entry point’ for focused attention in your classroom. It can be used at the beginning, in the middle, or at the end of a lesson. Where possible, share these practices outside.

Source a range of local natural specimens. These can include easily found pieces from the garden or school grounds: herbs, vegetables, leaves, sticks, bark from trees/shrubs, seed pods, long-stemmed grasses, etc. Divide specimens into mixed groups. Create enough ‘specimen batches’ to allow students to explore sensing in groups of five and place them on a number of platters or trays.

Step 1

Explain to students the purpose of mindfulness: Mindfulness is a method for nurturing our minds, understanding their current state, and making thoughtful decisions about how to engage with them.

Developing awareness is a learned skill that enhances our mental functioning. By becoming mindful, we learn to recognise what contributes to our well-being and happiness, enabling us to make wise choices each day. Engaging in mindfulness exercises involves paying close attention, which strengthens and cultivates a more resilient and compassionate mind. Additionally, observing nature can have a calming effect on our minds and bodies, reminding us of our connection to the natural world and fostering a sense of belonging within it, akin to being part of a large, interconnected family.

Step 2

Ask your students to find a comfortable spot in the space you have chosen (outside would work best for this activity) and spread your natural items out around the group for them to access easily during the practice.

Step 3

Explain to students that this activity is about 'waking up our skin' to notice how things feel on our hands and other parts of our body. Remind students that this is a quiet practice so that their hands can take in lots of information. Thank them for not talking until they are invited to share what they noticed at the end.

Step 4

Lead your students through a guided mindfulness exercise using the audio recording below.

Cool Australia · The Nature of Mindfulness: The Sense of Touch - Primary

Audio recording: Nature of Mindfulness: The Sense of Touch (https://soundcloud.com/cool-australia/track-2-cool-aust)

As we begin, let's take a few moments to embrace curiosity and engage our senses. Find a comfortable spot to sit on the grass, and take a moment to tune into how your body feels in this present moment.

Now, let's explore the sensation of touch. We don't just feel with our hands; our entire body is capable of sensing. Take a moment to notice what is outside your body and what is within. How does your body feel as it rests on the ground? Notice the texture of the grass underneath you. Does it feel soft or hard? Can you feel it through your clothes?

-PAUSE-

Next, choose something natural to touch, like a piece of bark or a leaf. With your eyes closed, take a few moments to explore the object with your fingertips. Feel its texture against different parts of your body – your hands, arms, legs, and face.

Now, let's compare this to the sensation of your own skin. Notice how it feels against your fingers as you gently touch different areas of your body – your arms, legs, and face.

-PAUSE-

Take another natural object, perhaps something resembling your hair, like grass tops or reeds. With your eyes closed, feel its texture against your skin on various parts of your body.

When you're ready, put the object down and return your attention to your own hair, even your eyebrows and eyelashes. Notice the difference in texture between your hair and the natural object.

-PAUSE-

Reflect on your ability to notice subtle details and differences through mindful touch.

Close your eyes again, and notice your whole body becoming quiet and still.

-PAUSE-

Now, notice the air around your body. Is it cool, warm, or moving?
Just be quiet and still for a while, perhaps noticing your breath as it moves back and forth, in and out, through your nose.

-PAUSE-

When you are ready, take some long, full breaths, let your attention come back and open your eyes.

Take a moment to acknowledge your experience and how you feel now.

Find Out: The benefits of mindfulness

Step 1

To maximise learning opportunities for students and to personalise their experiences, it is valuable to discuss with students how they feel before, during and after the activities. It is also wonderful to acknowledge personal insights and discoveries.

Conduct a class discussion about how students felt before, during and after the meditation.

Did their attention wander? Were they able to bring their attention back to the meditation practice?
How did they feel emotionally? What did they think?
What did they see, touch, smell, feel and hear?
Have they noticed any changes within themselves, in others or in the class as a whole?
Would the activity feel different if it was conducted inside the classroom?

Mindfulness is a way of life that involves paying attention to the present moment, non-judgmentally. It is a state of awareness that provides an opportunity to tune in to your thoughts, emotions, bodily sensations, the environment and other people. Research has shown mindfulness can help develop resilience, kindness, empathy and compassion. You may like to check out this factsheet to learn about the benefits of mindfulness and the importance of mindfulness for young children to help guide your discussion.

Take Action: Expanding your mindfulness practice

Step 1

You might like to reinforce the mindfulness exercise through some quiet, reflective journaling for students to deepen their understanding of mindfulness by articulating their experiences in writing. It also provides an opportunity for self-awareness and introspection, which are key components of mindfulness practice.

Step 2

Provide each student with a piece of paper or a notebook and ask them to reflect on their experience during the meditation. Encourage them to write about:

How they felt before, during, and after the meditation.
Any thoughts or emotions that arose during the practice.
What they noticed in terms of their bodily sensations, surroundings, and their senses (sight, touch, smell, sound, and taste).
Any changes they observed within themselves, in others, or in the classroom environment.
Any challenges they encountered in maintaining focus and how they brought their attention back to the meditation practice.
What elements of this practice could they bring into their daily lives, and how could they manage this.

Step 3

You might like to invite students to share their reflections with the class if they feel comfortable doing so, fostering a sense of community and shared learning.

Naturally Mindful: Connecting With Your Senses

Summary

Lesson Guides and Printables

Naturally Mindful: Connecting With Your Senses

Summary

Lesson Guides and Printables