5 Engaging KS2 Mindfulness Activities for Calm and Focus
Introduction
As schools move towards promoting mental health and well-being, mindfulness has become a popular practice in classrooms, especially for KS2 students. Mindfulness can help children develop self-awareness, concentration, and emotional regulation skills. It also helps to reduce anxiety and stress.
This article explores five engaging KS2 mindfulness activities that teachers can introduce in their classrooms to help their students stay calm and focused.
Activity 1: Mindful Breathing
One of the simplest and most effective mindfulness activities for KS2 students is mindful breathing. Start by getting students to sit comfortably, close their eyes, and take deep breaths. Encourage them to focus on their breath as they inhale and exhale.
To make the activity more engaging, you can get students to imagine they are blowing up a balloon or sailing a boat as they inhale and exhale. This helps to make the activity less abstract and more relatable to young learners.
Activity 2: Sensory Walk
The sensory walk activity is a form of mindful walking that helps students cultivate mindfulness by focusing on their senses. To begin, take the students on a walk, either outside or around the classroom. Ask them to pay attention to the sights, sounds, smells, and feelings they encounter along the way.
You can guide them to listen out for different sounds, observe nature, and feel the sun on their skin. The sensory walk activity is a great way to introduce mindfulness to students who may be fidgety or restless during traditional mindfulness activities.
Activity 3: Mindful Colouring
Mindful colouring is a relaxing and creative mindfulness activity for KS2 students. Give students a colouring sheet and encourage them to colour in slowly and mindfully, paying attention to each stroke and sensation. Watching colours blend and come to life can help children to stay focused and in the present moment.
This is also an excellent activity for students who prefer quiet and independent tasks. You can also give them quotes or affirmations to colour in, giving them a positive message to reflect on.
Activity 4: Mindful Listening
Mindful listening is an activity that helps students develop their listening skills and focus. To begin, play a piece of music or make some sounds in the classroom, such as tapping on a desk or whispering.
Ask students to pay attention to the sounds they hear without any judgement. They can also take turns describing what they are hearing, such as the rhythm or tempo of the music. The mindful listening activity helps develop auditory attention and reduces anxiety.
Activity 5: Gratitude Journal
Gratitude journaling is a great way to promote positive thinking and mindfulness in KS2 students. Encourage them to write down three things they are grateful for each day, such as spending time with family, playing with friends, or learning something new.
This activity helps students focus on the positive aspects of their lives and build a sense of appreciation. Gratitude journaling can also help students develop a growth mindset, where they learn to see challenges as opportunities to learn and grow.
Conclusion
These five engaging KS2 mindfulness activities are simple, effective, and fun ways to introduce mindfulness into the classroom. They help students to develop self-awareness, focus, and emotional regulation skills.
As teachers, it is important to remember that mindfulness is not a quick fix but a skill that requires continuous practice. Teachers can incorporate mindfulness activities into their daily routines and encourage students to incorporate mindfulness into their daily lives.
Choosing activities that are engaging and playful can help keep student’s focus and enthusiasm high. With these activities, KS2 students can start on their journey to a peaceful and mindful life.
