Autumn is the season where nature itself winds down – as the leaves fall and temperatures drop, the world feels slower. It’s probably the perfect time to take a moment for yourself and appreciate the present; after all, a little mindfulness is always a good thing! That’s the mentality that is currently being cultivated at PS 115, where our COMPASS program hosts a weekly meditation class. Our elementary school students are learning the basics of mindfulness and meditation, particularly how to incorporate these practices into their daily lives.
Benefits of Meditation for Elementary Schoolers:
Elementary school is, of course, a very formative period in a child’s life. These are the ages where they learn both academic and social basics, specifically, in the case of the latter, how to emotionally self-regulate and adjust to the environment around them. As any adult will tell you, life is full of twists and turns, and there are plenty of triggers for stress. Therefore, learning how to cope with these emotions at an early age can be a gamechanger. In addition, meditation can help to improve focus and attention, and even help alleviate symptoms of ADHD, depression, and anxiety [1].
CASW’s Commitment to Our Community’s Well Being
Part of our mission at CASW is to help teach a generation of well-rounded leaders today, so that our communities can thrive tomorrow! We try our best to give our participants the tools necessary to navigate life, and that means addressing their social and emotional needs. By offering an activity like meditation, we have the special opportunity to connect with students on a deeper level, and hopefully enrich their lives further!
[1] Garey, Juliann. “The Power of Mindfulness.” Child Mind Institute, Nov. 22, 2024, https://childmind.org/article/the-power-of-mindfulness/
