Teaching mindfulness is a powerful way to nurture elementary students’ emotional intelligence, resilience, and overall well-being. By starting small with engaging activities, high-quality visuals, fun games, and memorable story books, your students will embrace mindfulness and experience its profound benefits both inside and outside the classroom.
Let’s dive into low-prep, engaging lessons and activities that teach mindfulness to our little learners!
Why Mindfulness is So Important
Mindfulness is the practice of being present in the “here and now”. It requires students to pay special attention to their breathing, thoughts, feelings, and surroundings.
Mindfulness encourages students to focus on their five senses while taking in the beauty around them. When they do this, they inadvertently focus LESS on the situations causing them to feel overwhelmed, scattered, and restless.
Practicing mindfulness promotes:
- Greater emotional regulation: As students learn to pay attention to and manage their emotions, they begin to demonstrate increased self-control and fewer behavioral issues.
- Improved focus & concentration: Practicing mindfulness helps students develop longer attention spans and participate more effectively in classroom activities.
- Stress reduction: Mindfulness techniques do double-duty by becoming coping mechanisms for students when they are dealing with stress, anxiety, and other big emotions.
Mindfulness fosters a much-needed sense of clarity, calm, and peace that all students (and adults!) can benefit from!
How to Teach Mindfulness to Students in Elementary School
To teach mindfulness in meaningful ways, mix in different types of activities and rich visuals that match students’ diverse interests.
Mindful Breathing Posters
First, print-and-go visuals!
This set of mindful breathing posters teaches students 25 interactive, fun, and memorable breathing techniques, with cute kid-friendly themes!
Print the full-sized posters to hang in your Calm Corner or use the smaller option on a keyring if you’re tight on space or want students to have their own portable copy.
Black & white versions of each poster are included and make great coloring sheets for additional practice!
Rainbow breathing, turtle breathing, and bee breathing are some of my favorites!
Seasonal & Holiday Mindful Breathing Posters
And to add a fun seasonal or holiday spin to your mindfulness instruction, try this set of 40 posters and cards! I love decorating the bulletin board outside of my office with these posters and changing them out with each season/major holiday. I love catching my students stopping and practicing the strategies as they pass by!
Mindfulness Lesson
Use this classroom lesson to teach students the definition of mindfulness, 8 ways to practice mindfulness, and 3 breathing techniques to use when coping with big feelings.
This lesson also works beautifully with individuals and small groups!
My favorite part of this resource are the 12 “mindful moment” cards that students can use when they need a break or a breather.
Mindfulness BINGO Game
Games are a great way to engage students without them realizing they are actually learning! And who doesn’t love a game of BINGO?
This Mindfulness BINGO Game is a favorite that let’s students review 24 mindfulness strategies…while having fun! It’s a perfect choice for small group counseling sessions or classroom lessons.
*Consider your students’ interests and abilities and utilize dot markers, bingo chips, or various small classroom manipulatives while playing.
Coloring
Coloring is a simple, yet effective way for students to practice mindfulness. Choose detailed coloring pages and encourage students to focus on the colors and patterns while staying present as they color.
This activity can be a calming and creative way for students to practice mindfulness.
Journaling
Reflective journaling also teaches mindfulness as it allows students to pause and reflect. Students can write or draw things that evoke gratitude within them.
This activity helps them focus on the positive aspects of their lives— instead of things causing them worry and stress— and develop a grateful mindset.
Guided Yoga
Yoga is another great way to teach mindfulness to students!
Lead students through a series of simple stretches. Encourage them to focus on their breathing and how their bodies feel while completing each position. This will allow students to release stress and increase self-awareness.
Be sure to check out this lesson that teaches students several kid-friendly yoga poses, as well as visualization and grounding!
Storybooks about Mindfulness
Storybooks are another powerful tool to use to teach mindfulness.
One favorite is “Being a Dog: A Tail of Mindfulness” by Maria Gianferrari.
In this adorable story, children follow along with a young child and their dog. The duo experiences each moment of the day to its fullest. Children are encouraged to just “be like a dog” as they take in everything around them using their senses.
This darling book also includes a guided breathing exercise you can practice with your students.
Check out a few more must-have books about mindfulness for more inspiration and add these to your counseling library this year!
Teaching mindfulness has SO many benefits— from helping students regulate their emotions to improving focus and reducing stress. By incorporating a variety of lessons, activities, and rich visuals, you can make mindfulness accessible and enjoyable for all students.
