Use targeted mindfulness supports for at-risk students with trauma-informed adaptation and participation choice¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

The brief describes intensive mindfulness supports for students facing risk factors such as trauma: mindful listening in restorative justice settings, teaching basic body awareness with prompts like "Right now in my body I feel . . .", and calm or sensory rooms as an alternative to exclusionary discipline — exemplified by the Holistic Life Foundation's Mindful Moment Room combining 5 minutes of targeted discussion with a facilitated 15-minute mindfulness exercise. It warns that "adverse effects may occur when mindfulness instruction is delivered to 'at-risk' populations without understanding of how trauma can affect students' experiences" (Himelstein, 2020).

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Educators know how to adapt approaches for students who face risk factors such as trauma
• Practices must be responsive to the student experience and empower students to choose not to participate if it does not feel safe

Constraints¶

• Some evidence indicates adverse effects may occur when mindfulness instruction is delivered to at-risk populations without trauma understanding

Target Learners¶

• students exposed to chronic stress, trauma, or adverse childhood experiences
• youths with high levels of psychological symptoms such as depression and anxiety

Target Learning Goals¶

• body awareness
• co-regulation
• conflict de-escalation

Related Strategies¶

• Use pausing, body-centered awareness, and mindful listening as tools in restorative justice and conflict resolution
• Train and support educators to implement mindfulness through programs, coaching, and shared leadership
• Integrate mindfulness throughout the school day via mindful moments, pausing before reacting, and reflective norms

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Browning, A., & Romer, N. (2020). Mindfulness-based practices for schools. WestEd. https://californias3.wested.org/wp-content/uploads/Mindfulness-Based-Practices-for-Schools.pdf