At each developmental stage mindfulness can be a useful tool for helping children and students to experience personal alertness. Being fully present, taking a breath, and not beholden to reactive thoughts and feelings requires careful attention to thoughts, feelings, and environment. These activities can be conducted daily building attention, calmness and perspective.

It is important to acknowledge the difference and connectedness of mindfulness and meditation. Mindfulness can be practised anytime, anywhere, and with anyone by showing up and being fully engaged in the here and now. Meditation is usually practised for a specific amount of time. Mindfulness supports and enriches meditation, while meditation nurtures and expands mindfulness.

Almost any activity you can think of can be done mindfully … or not. Playing a musical instrument, driving in a car, cooking or walking can all be mindful experiences if they are given focused, curious attention.

Each child or student in a class can have a personally made glitter jar. The jar is shaken to move the glitter around and then time is taken to sit and watch the glitter and how it moves. Does it move quickly, swirl, stick together? You can also count slowly to see how long the glitter moves for. This activity can be done as a class or individually throughout the day.