The Mindful Blog
An Innovative SEL Workshop for Illinois Area 5 SEL Hub
In 2021, ISBE created seven SEL Hubs across the state to increase Social Emotional Learning, Trauma-responsive education, and equity. The Area 5 SEL Hub is made up of 13 counties in Southwest Illinois. This summer Mindful Practices supported Area 5 and over 125...
SEL Summit in the City Recap
Our SEL Summit in the City was a huge success! Two days of learning, laughing, confronting… We gathered together in-person for reflection, restoration and FUN! The event was crafted to honor the needs of all stakeholders who support school communities. Mindful...
Memory Minute
Memory Minute Who: 6th Grade & Up Why: The ability to clear one’s mind is a useful skill that pairs with breath to help accept and process memories, feelings, thoughts, and emotions. When these accumulate in the brain and body, it is hard to regulate emotions,...
Mindful Minutes
Mindful Minutes Who: All Ages Why: These quick and simple practices build self regulation, self awareness and connection in short, manageable minutes. There are practices designed to energize, balance and relax. Depending on what a student needs, these practices are...
Gratitude Journal
Gratitude Journal Who: All Ages Why: This activity develops the space to be thankful and practice showing appreciation, kindness and empathy to one’s community. This SEL practice empowers participants to acknowledge and express emotions and to build an awareness of...
Cool Kid Star
Cool Kid Star Who: K to 2nd grade Why: The Cool Kid Star activity encourages self acceptance and acceptance of others. Building a habit of reflection can anchor students in a more thoughtful and accepting self that recognizes the great value and potential every human...
Cool Kid Paper Chain
Cool Kid Paper Chain Who: All Ages Why: This exercise encourages positive self-reflection and challenges students to take greater ownership over their positive qualities and to continue to be their best selves as they are part of a community at home or at school....
Write and Rip
Write and Rip Who: 3rd Grade & Up Why: This activity invites accessible self reflection that is a critical piece of social emotional learning. It allows young students to draw insights into their worries, emotions and feelings and then take a satisfying action to...
Cool Down & Draw – Cool Down & Write
Cool Down & Draw / Cool Down & Write Who: 3rd Grade & Up Why: This self-reflective exercise invites students to take ownership over their behavior and to acknowledge there might have been more positive ways to respond to a situation.. Building a habit of...
POP Check
POP Check Who: All ages can practice! (Script is for adults) Why: The POP Check provides a simple structure for both students and adults to notice and own their feelings, and to practice a mindful activity to meet the moment. It helps to increase self-awareness and...
Owning My Story Journal
Owning My Story Journal Who: 6th Grade & Up Why: Encouraging young people to write about their authentic story is a practice in self-awareness and self-acceptance. Sharing those stories with others affirms personal voice and connects the story tellers through...
Draw and Rip
Draw and Rip Who: Pre-K to 2nd Grade Why: This activity invites age-accessible self reflection that is a critical piece of social emotional learning. Having a family member or teacher narrate the reflection questions allows young students to draw insights into their...
Fun & Simple Yoga Exercises
Fun and Simple Yoga Poses Who: All Ages Why: Yoga poses are evidence-based practices that help build self-awareness, body awareness and manage emotions. There are poses that can energize and poses that can calm the brain and body. Integrating fun and simple yoga...
Holding Who I Am
Holding Who I Am Who: All ages Why: This activity is designed to encourage self reflection and acceptance, both tenets of social emotional learning. By encouraging students to identify their unique qualities, Holding Who I Am supports the creation of a safe container...
SEL At Home Exercises
SEL at Home Exercises Who: Pre-K to 2nd (Adults read out loud and practice with your student) Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is the process through which children and adults understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for...
Mindful Line Drawing
Mindful Line Drawing Who: All Ages Why: This activity is a mindful practice that invites focus on one thing at a time. It decreases stress and anxiety and assists the one practicing in turning the mind away from intrusive thoughts. Mindful drawing benefits both the...
One Word Reflection Activity
One Word Reflection Activity Who: All Ages Why: The practice of communicating feelings, gratitude and inspiration together in a group is a powerful empathy builder and expression of self-awareness, which can lead to a more regulated self and increased positive...
Upstander & Bystander Worksheet
Upstander & Bystander Worksheet Who: 6th Grade & Up Why: It can be difficult to know what to do when witnessing bullying. This PSA video and worksheet invites collaboration between peers as they work to solve a very real issue. It takes self awareness and...
Rocks, Pebbles & Sand Reflection Video
Rocks, Pebbles & Sand Who: 6th Grade & Up Why: Prioritizing what to focus on in your life is a question we all ask ourselves. This simple animation is about the impact of focusing on the important things in life…or how if you focus on the small stuff, you’ll...
Washing Machine
Washing Machine Who: Pre-K to 2nd This video presenting a physical practice helps students learn to twist away their worries. Children often feel worry and anxiety in their bodies. Many young people who can’t describe in words what they are feeling can say they are...
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