I was introduced to this website by Colin Pattison who uses it regularly in his intermediate classroom. He says that he will often use the various sound options to help his students focus.
As educators we know the importance of teaching mindfulness both for ourselves and our students. In a world which often over stimulates a center of calm is important.
The website has free functions but also some paid content. Here is the great news, for teachers it is completely FREE!
This is what they say....
In today’s rapidly changing world, children face unique social and emotional challenges. Kids are experiencing greater pressures earlier in life, and feel more stress and anxiety than ever before.
What if their school day began with a few moments of quiet and stillness? Numerous studies have shown the many benefits of teaching mindfulness to children. Through mindfulness education, kids can develop a lifelong capacity for greater self-awareness, concentration, patience, and resilience.
Under this initiative, any teacher with a K-12 classroom, anywhere in the world, can get free access to Calm’s paid subscription service (available on Android, iOS and the web). Teachers will have unlimited access to our growing library of guided meditations and mindfulness exercises, including Calm Kids, our programs tailored for age groups from pre-K through high school.
Go here and sign up.
I have a confession to make. Sometimes I have used independent reading as a way of infusing the classroom with some quiet both for me and my students. I know shocking! Last year I started a silent time instead. For a period of time each day or so (decided after classroom discussion, experimentation and reflection) we were just silent. Students could stare out the window, doodle, close their eyes, read or catch up on work the only rule was... they had to be silent. As a class we found we loved this time let's face it engagement can often mean noise. This gave us a designated time to recharge and refocus.
Why not put a little CALM into your classroom?
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