As well as being a class teacher Ms Allekou is also a trained Mindfulness teacher and also train others to teach mindfulness in schools!
Over the past few years she has delivered small mindfulness sessions to specific classes and to staff but now she is able to deliver it in a much longer session after school.
The aim of the club is to introduce children to mindfulness and help support general well- being. It will run weekly, for an hour, for 6 weeks as part of a classroom-based curriculum called Paws b. This course is designed for children aged 7-11 and was created by primary school teachers, mindfulness experts and research scientists.
You may have heard of mindfulness or read some of the recent media coverage about it. There is a great deal of interest in it because evidence on the impact of mindfulness on children has seen beneficial results in children's emotional wellbeing, mental health and ability to learn. Children that have had mindfulness classes report feeling calmer, able to concentrate better and more prepared for tests/exams. They have also shared their learning with families and friends.
During the course they will be learning about many things, including:
● Specific areas of the brain and how these affect our ability to focus, make good choices, recognise when we need to steady ourselves when our body or mind is busy or out of balance.
● Ways that mindfulness can support them in many day-to-day activities, including concentration and memory, behavioural self- management, and in relationships with family and friends.
● Ways to respond rather than react – and therefore make better choices and take best care of themselves and others.
More details can be found on the website www.mindfulnessinschools.org
The Mindfulness club will begin on Friday, 30th Jan and places can be booked via Arbor in the usual way. The maximum number for this club will be 30 children and will be offered to Years 3 and 4 this term. The course will then be repeated for children in Year 5 and 6 when it will be helpful during this important transition time into Secondary School for our Year 6s.
