How Mindfulness and SEL Work Together: A Brain-Friendly Approach for Educators

Hey there fellow SEL enthusiasts and dedicated humans. Stop searching or wondering....this awesome combo is, in my 20+ years of experience, the simplest way to get 💡 moments and for SEL and Mindfulness to be felt and transferred.

Picture this: Amidst the hustle and dysregulation of the school day, you gather students for a mindful minute inspired by a poster and infographic that gave your students the "why" of mindfulness and brain science. You can now guide them in exercises that align with the poster topics and they can experience the benefits of mindfulness firsthand.

Picture this: During the many problem-solving and conflict-resolution discussions, you and your students or clients can now confidently reference and use brain science because you brought this topic to life a few times and reference it often.

Picture this: You have no idea where to start with infusing social-emotional learning (SEL) and self-management skills are needed BIG TIME.

So How Do I Know This?

Since transitioning from a full-time school educator vibe, I have often been asked about my SEL journey. Well...buckle up for this incredible story about how learning and feeling and doing work 🤣

Let's see...I was already in the field of special education and the spark lit 🔥 during my counseling graduate program, which emphasized school-based mental health programming and consultation. So I went and did that for a while. Then it took off with my participation in a mindfulness certification program. Then a combo of trauma, lots of direct time with teens and tweens, and continued professional experiences and learning sealed the deal. This stuff sticks and it's for everyone! I mean...duh...you have a brain 🧠

Big Impact, Little Effort

By focusing on the brain's foundational layers, we are maximizing our impact with minimal effort. These simple mindfulness practices require no fancy curriculum or materials or lengthy lessons - just the willingness to explore and a sprinkle 🍩 of curiosity

Empowering Students

When we teach others about their brains, we give them the key🔑 to their success. When they can master their minds they can navigate life's ups and downs with confidence, resilience, and management skills.

Culture of Conversations and Growth

Mindfulness isn't just a one-time activity - it's a way of life and daily routine. By infusing SEL with brain science and mindfulness, we are cultivating a mindset of self-discovery and self-reflection that extends beyond the space it was taught in.

Ok..So Remind Me About Brain Science Again 😎

The Amygdala

Emotional HQ.

safety and security center for survival needs only but shows up uninvited a lot

Mindfulness exercises like grounding and breathing reduce the stress response and help us become the boss of our emotions

The Hippocampus

Memory Maestro

stores retrieves, and organizes learning moments and experiences for easy access.

Emotional awareness: observing thoughts and feelings rewires the brain for empathy and resilience and helps us retrieve what we need to navigate emotions

The Pre-Frontal Cortex

The VIP

higher-order thinking, decision-making, and self-awareness. It's where we process information (beyond our senses) and engage in critical reflection.

Mindfulness practices prune and prime the brain for focus and attention. Like laser beams in the present moment to open the door to learning and creativity.

I say "amygdala" like all day and you will too once you become self-aware of when it's activated.

True Story: I had a parent at an IEP meeting tell the team about how her son started talking about her "amygdala" while she was road raging and telling her to breathe.

True Story: My BFF teaches middle school special education and over the years I coached her on all things brain science until it became and remains her main management tool. She is also way more self-aware.

It works because you can FEEL it and it makes sense. SEL focuses on self-awareness and self-management which require becoming more intuned to your body and mind.

Resources I Use: Then & Now Era

Mindful Schools

I went through their educator certification program and implemented their curriculum for many years. They currently offer a different variety of services now, but still remain leaders in the field and I value their resources.

MindUP

Amazing and Simple, evidence-based curriculum with a heavy focus on brain science. Great cross-curricular connections and visuals (I've used their brain poster FOREVER which was the inspo for my Mindfulness Activity for Teens | Brain Basics Poster and SEL Infographic). I started out with their books published by Scholastic for PreK-12 and continue to include them in some capacity in the programs I develop.

Speaking of that inspo...download this poster and infographic with engaging Brain Health Plan or Brain Health Channel Journal Activity

Mindfulness Activity for Teens | Brain Basics Poster and SEL Infographic

Buy Now

Remember... The Little Things Do Matter

Mindfully Yours,

Crystal