Bringing the Soul Back to Schools 15 Years of Mindfulness with Whole Schools

Nimrod Sheinman, BSc, ND Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education [email protected] Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

Road Map • Background • Basic Assumptions

• Observations • The Tel Hai Effect • Comments

Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

BREATH...

Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

The Children of Today, The World of Tomorrow • Improve Learning • Prevent Risk Behaviors • Enhance Self Awareness • Develop Social-Emotional Skills • Improve Self-Efficacy & Resilience • Cultivate Heartfulness

• Support Mind-Body Health Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

Challenges… • ▲ Attention and Concentration Deficits

• ▲ Difficult Emotions & Behavioral Issues • ▲ Risk Behaviors • ▲ Eating Problems & Overweight • ▲ Depression, Anxiety & Lack of Meaning • ▲ Lack of Physical Activities

• ▼ Academic Achievements Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

“Transmission” model • Factual knowledge transmitted through lectures/textbooks • Recall-based learning, exam-oriented culture

• Students do not have much practice applying the knowledge in new contexts, using it to solve real life problems, or utilizing it as a platform to develop life

skills, resilience, creativity, wellness.

Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

Paradigm Shifts…

Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

Integrative Medicine • Whole Person Care Approach • Innate Capacity for Healing • Relationship-centered Care

• Engaged, Conscious, Aware • Creating a Healing Environment

• Integrative Therapeutics Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

HEALING FROM WITHIN Creating Conditions for Healing to Take Place

LEARNING FROM WITHIN Creating Conditions

for Learning to Take Place Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

Integrative Education • Whole Child Perspectives

• Children’s Innate Capacity for Learning • Mindful Learning: experience based learning • Connecting Children to their Inner Life • Relationship-centered Approach • Mindfulness, Imagery, Movement, Inquiry Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

Themes of Child Development Karen Olness MD

• The urge for EXPERIENCE • The urge for MASTERY • The urge for WELLNESS

• The urge for the inner world of IMAGINATION • The urge for SOCIAL INTERACTION Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

The Art of Learning Anne and Paul Barlin

Children WANT to learn. The key is TOTAL INVOLVEMENT.

When a child has put all of himself into an experience his body, his mind, his emotions, his imagination and his enthusiasm –

he will learn and he will grow. He will grow not only in the specific experience at hand, but through his entire personality. Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

Positive School Climate Bilha Noy, PhD, CEO of Israel’s Educational & Psychological Services

 Develops coping skills towards life’s challenges

 Enables students to maximize learning potential  Installs values of tolerance towards the other  Expands creativity  Trains in co-operation and non-violent communication

Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

Youth Well-being & Resilience Dr. Yossi Harel, Bar-Ilan University, WHO Cross National Study

• Positive Experiences • Sense of Value • Significant Adult

• Social Connectedness

Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

Whole School Model Basic Principles • Influencing school’s climate & culture • Learning from within • Mindfulness, Imagery, Mindful Yoga, Inquiry, Circle • Guiding awareness to “EVERYTHING”…

• Engage the teachers • Inform the parents • 4 Dimensions: Experiences, Insights, Tools, Skills Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

MBSR vs. Mindfulness In Education It’s so different… We may need beginner’s mind…  Different Age  Different Circumstances  Different Goals  Different Context  Different Motivations  Different Environments  And more… Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

The Real Voyage of Discovery The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but seeing with new eyes.

- Marcel Proust

Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

Whole School Approach • Structured Classes, integral in the School’s Curriculum

• On going (1yr-15yrs) • Guided by trained Instructors • Teachers Training and Supervision

• Teachers Role: keep the flame going • Adaptation and Integration within School’s Culture • Parents education • Data Collection, Outcomes, Research • On-going, never-ending process of Inquiry & Learning Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

The 4 Dimensions of Mindful Learning

• Experiential • Insights • Tool Box • Qualities & Skills

Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

Pause… Breath… Relax…

Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

Simple Questions We Ask…

• What was this class about? • What experiences did you have? • What did you learn? • How was it helpful or useful?

• What did you write or draw?

Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

The Sound of the Gong

Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

My feelings and my heart

Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

My Safe and Peaceful Place

Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

My difficult emotions: My Anger

Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

Meditating (as flower) in my protective ball of light

Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

Ability to Relax • I feel as if all my tensions pass away, like clouds in the sky. I love the classes because after each class I feel calmness and goodness in myself. • Shefi, grade 6 Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

Concentration Skills – I feel more centered and calm before an exam. It helps me to think more openly. Yaniv, grade 5 – When I play Chess and feel a threat, I breath in to calm myself. It helps me to concentrate and win. Daniel, grade 5

Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

Body Awareness • The mindful class teaches that it’s possible to

listen to the breath, release the muscles and become calm and relaxed. Even before exams.

Shiran, grade 5

Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

Emotional Intelligence In the beginning I thought it’s very stupid. Why do I need to relax if I’m quite relaxed anyway… Then I started to listen to the Instructions, and I became a different person… More peaceful, relaxed and friendly. I was an angry person, without the power to stop myself, without the ability to say no to myself. I caused

lot’s of damage. I could do nothing to control it. Now I am in charge. Michal, grade 6 Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

Self Awareness • I understood that I can contribute through my peacefulness, because I am part of the whole. • Mor, grade 6

Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

Self Efficacy – When my body is restless and tense, I can stop and

relax. Before going to sleep, I can practice noticing the breath. Daniel, grade 5 – I know that I can let go of anger, and no one can make me angry… because I can tune in, be aware and rest within myself. Gali, grade 3

Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

Mind-Body Healing • When I have a stomach ach or a headache, I take a few deep breath. When I have tension in my shoulders, I use exercises from the class. It

helps me to heal myself, as well as to help someone else in pain, like my Mom or my Dad. Moria, grade 2

Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

Interpersonal Skills • The class came to teach me how to listen to friends and to become caring and pleasant. Avitar, grade 3 • The class helped me to become a better me with people and friends. Yelana, grade 3 • The class helped me to release difficult feelings. It is very helpful at home, because Mom and Dad can understand me better. Chen, grade 4

Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

Did we loose something in education??? Well, just follow the book tittles…

• Schools with Spirit • The Five Dimensions of Engaged Teaching

• The Mindful Child • The Heart of Learning

• The Soul of Education Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

Around the World • Mindful Schools (USA) • MindUP (USA) • .b (UK) • SMART (USA) • Mindfulness Ambassador Council (Canada) • Center for Mindfulness in Education (Israel) • CARE for Teachers (USA) • CASEL (USA) • And many more… Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

For me, the mindful class was… (After 6 years of Mindfulness in school)

• A time to stop everything and just be with myself. • Time to slow down, relax and discharge negative issues. • A huge relationship helper: with classmates, friends and family. • A magical journey to other worlds and dimensions. • A safe and friendly space.

• A wonderful present.

Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

“This class has taught us about health, breath and the body, their

movements and moments. It taught us about helpful concentration,

peaceful thoughts and serenity in the mind. It taught us about the stillness to explore other worlds, and about the dreams that can help us find our safe and peaceful places”. Almog, grade 5 Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

The Mindful Class helps

because it teaches us things that everyone needs to know, such as how to breath, rest, relax, be quiet and aware, imagine, and find our peaceful places within. Sonia, grade 5

Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

Integrative Mindfulness Mindful Journal

Weekly Mindfulness Mindful

Teachers

Circle

Role

Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

“If you’ve saved one soul, it’s as if you’ve saved the whole world”

Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

Teacher’s Attitude… 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 2002

2012 Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

Engaged Not Engaged

Children’s reports on proper behavior 5th and 6th grade 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Tel Hai

All Schools

Hebrew Schools

Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

Equivalent SC

Tel Hai School Scores vs. All Schools in Israel English and Science, Grade 5, 2009 Science

English 100

100

92

80

72

74

80

78

61 60

60

40

40

20

20

0

64

0

‫בית ספרך‬

‫כלל בתיה"ס‬

‫בתי"ס דוברי עברית‬

Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

‫בית ספרך‬

‫כלל בתיה"ס‬

‫בתי"ס דוברי עברית‬

Einat Berger, Tel Hai School Head Teacher, Israel

• I'm looking for teachers who could influence through their being... with willingness to express and

connect, transform and be transformed... Teachers with openness to an approach or to a spirit of self awareness and emotional regulation, who are able to listen and who are motivated by love.

Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

We cannot all do

great things, but we can do small things

with great love

Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

May we be able to… •

Cultivate Self-Awareness

•

Teach Self Regulation

•

Develop Self-Efficacy

•

Promote Self -Esteem

•

Build Assets

•

Help Children Identify and Nurture their Inner Sparks

•

Prevent Risk Behaviors

•

Develop SEL

•

Upgrade Learning

•

Deepen Qualities of the Heart

•

Enhance Resilience

•

Create Wellness

•

Enhance Community Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education

Thank you!!!

Nimrod Sheinman, Israel Center for Mindfulness in Education