meditation in school

[meemee]

do you consider meditation a spiritual practise?

if your elementary school offered a class in meditation to children purely as a stress reliever with no mention of god but mention definitely of mindfulness would you have any objection?

[lotusdebi]

I've seen mindfulness meditation used by anger mangement therapists in purely secular ways. I don't consider meditation or mindfulness meditation to be an exclusively spiritual or religious practice, though they can be used that way. I wouldn't have any objection to it being offered in a public school, and I consider myself a strong advocate of the separation of church and state.

I should say that I'm a homeschooler, and stumbled across this in New Posts, so my opinion may not be worth much.

[ZoshaMosha]

I consider it secular. If it is considered a teaching in stress-reduction with no mention of god or any other religious teachings, then I think it's fine.

It will help students tremendously, IMO.

[Mirzam]

My DS attends a [private] contemplative elementary school and "sitting" is part of the school curriculum. The meditation is not for anger management, but neither is it religious, but I guess it could be deemed spiritual. Here's how the school explains it purpose.

The heart of Contemplative Education lies in cultivating an awareness of the present moment. Our approach engages students' experiences with openness and cultivates a quality of spaciousness in the learning environment as well as in interactions between teachers and students. This allows for an unhurried appreciation of and commitment to how each moment unfolds within each child, to everything each child brings to each moment, and for the sense of wonder that comes with learning.

Personally, I would love to see such a practice in a public school as I see it as a huge benefit in my child's education.

[fadedgirl]

No & no.

[meemee]

http://www.sacbee.com/ourregion/story/1609788.html

the reason why i asked is because i was sent this link from a newspaper and some people were bringing religion into it.

[junipermuse]

I think meditation can be spiritual, but it also can be totally secular. It really depends on the practice/method and intention of the meditator (is that a word?) Any way I think secular meditation is a great idea for stress relief as well as increasing a child's focus and could actually be a great learning tool. I would love if it were to be offered at my child's school (hypothetically since dd is too young for school right now). As a side note, I actually practiced meditation as a school activity in a public highschool on several occasions. We did it semi-regularly in my highschool drama class and then also once or twice in my psych class when learning about alternate brain states.

[EFmom]

I can't imagine it in our elementary school due to time constraints alone.

Frankly, I don't think I'd be in favor of it, because I'd prefer that schools stick to academics (and I include the arts in that). They have enough to do as it is.

[PlayaMama]

i'd be fine with it.

i'm not religious and i used it in my health class with my freshmen. the class went vary smoothly after that.

i think it's be great in elementary! you'd be amazed how much time is spent trying to get the kids to focus. i think if they had a tool like this and everyone could relax for a few minutes, they'd all accomplish MUCH more after they were all settled. especially for times after recess and breaks.

[Mirzam]

Originally Posted by EFmom

I can't imagine it in our elementary school due to time constraints alone.

Frankly, I don't think I'd be in favor of it, because I'd prefer that schools stick to academics (and I include the arts in that). They have enough to do as it is.

In DS's school they sit in meditation for all of 6 or 7 minutes - they are gradually working up to a little more -- these are 3rd graders. That is hardly taking away time from academics (or art).

[beanma]

My kids have done meditation/mindfulness/listening exercises for several years off and on in school and yoga classes. We're not taking yoga right now, but they do it at their schools. In my dd2's preschool the 3-5 yr olds do a moment of silence meditation. One of the students rings the chimes and the teacher lights a candle in the middle of the room. It lasts about 1 minute and the kids are surprisingly thoughtful. They go around the circle and reflect afterwards and they are often very imaginative with that, but the teachers are fine with that.

They do occasional meditation/moments of silence at dd1's school, too (1st/2nd grade mixed age class). They are very open to that sort of thing and incorporate that kind of thing into a lot of their interactions.

At the local Friends school (Quaker) they open the school day with "settling in" which is a moment of meditation/silence.

I think it's great. I read the article, but couldn't wade through all the comments. It can be part of a spiritual/religious practice, but mindfulness certainly does not have to be at all.

[EFmom]

Originally Posted by uccomama

In DS's school they sit in meditation for all of 6 or 7 minutes - they are gradually working up to a little more -- these are 3rd graders. That is hardly taking away time from academics (or art).

That's still more time than I would want spent on something like that. They already waste time with a number of non-academic programs that I would like to see disappear.

[Mirzam]

Originally Posted by EFmom

That's still more time than I would want spent on something like that. They already waste time with a number of non-academic programs that I would like to see disappear.

Well, it actually helps their learning so I think it is well worth it. It is my choice to send my son to a school that consciously includes contemplative practices in its curriculum, because I believe that in the end this will assist him to connect with his inner knowing which will only assist him in his academic pursuits.

FWIW, the children sit meditation in circle first thing in the morning, many schools have a morning circle and it is a great way for the children to come together and begin their day of work. Even the most academic of schools, like the one my brother went to in the UK, (he was taught latin in elementary school), had a morning assembly every day, and I can assure his school managed to fit in enough academics, despite devoting a whole afternoon a week to sports, for him to obtain a first class Classics degree from Oxford University.

[Heavenly]

I haven't thought a lot about it but I know my DH is against it. He wouldn't want our children sitting in on a class that teaches meditation. If I clarify further I'll have people insulting our religious beliefs so I'll just leave it there.

[mamalemon]

I teach art in a public school and we have a meditation session before each lesson. There is nothing religious about it, I just use it as a tool to help the children wind down and clear the mind before they start my class.

[MattBronsil]

Originally Posted by EFmom

That's still more time than I would want spent on something like that. They already waste time with a number of non-academic programs that I would like to see disappear.

Ironic...I find them wasting time on academic programs because they don't do things to prepare for them. They waste their time doing the academics because they don't give the students what they need and they have to correct for it during the academic times. I'd rather have less time with more results than more time with less results. If that makes sense.

[phathui5]

My son has meditation in his taekwondo class and it doesn't bother me.

[LauraLoo]

Originally Posted by mamalemon

I teach art in a public school and we have a meditation session before each lesson. There is nothing religious about it, I just use it as a tool to help the children wind down and clear the mind before they start my class.

I think meditation and quieting the mind can provide for even greater learning and creative problem solving. There are so many visualization techniques I know that are based on meditation and internal focus. Unfortunately, I didn't learn any of these until I was an adult. A young child could definitely be moved through guided imagery as a way to solidify concepts.

So, to answer OP's question --- No and No.

[meemee]

even in grade 1 i can see the positives of meditation.

i volunteer a lot in dd's class at various times of the day.

even with lunch and two recesses, its hard for the kids to focus.

i see kids who are bored and hating the repeatition. i see kids for whom the academics is going too fast and going over their head so losing interest. and i see kids who would rather be anywhere but the classroom.

i belong to the camp that we have too much structured stuff in school where the kids dont get enough break. i think just a couple of minutes would really help the teacher out. i wish school wasnt so academic. rather rote learning. obviously the kids are not enjoying the structure. just getting a break thru meditation (instead of moving around which stretches the time too much) would serve the teacher and kids v. well.

i notice a big difference it makes to my dd after medit. kinda recharging. even a minute.

[angelcat]

It is spiritual to me, and my child would not be participating. It's against our religion.