Transform Your Classroom with Soft Starts: The Power of Mindfulness Journals for a Calm and Focused School Day

Transform Your Classroom with Soft Starts: The Power of Mindfulness Journals for a Calm and Focused School Day

Let me tell you a story ~

Imagine this: You walk into your classroom, weaving your way through desks, classmates, and coatracks to drop your backpack on your chair. You unpack, hang up your sweatshirt, and place your lunchbox in the cubby.

As you sit down, your eyes land on your desk. There it is—a multiplication worksheet, or maybe it’s verbs and adverbs, vocabulary words, or chemistry questions. Your heart starts to race, and you frantically search for a pencil.

You try to focus, but your mind keeps drifting back to the milk and Cheerios you spilled all over the floor at breakfast and the homework you left on the kitchen table.

Time's up, and you’ve barely made a dent. It’s a rough day, and it’s only 9 am. 😞

Now, let’s reimagine this: You sit at your desk and see a feelings check-in, a gratitude journal, an inspirational quote, or perhaps a maze, a dot-to-dot, bag of Lego, or a coloring page.

You breathe a sigh of relief. Even though you spilled milk and Cheerios on the floor at breakfast and left your homework on the kitchen table, you have a few minutes to rest and reset, preparing your mind for the learning ahead.

You pick up your colored pencil and get started. Today is going to be a good day. 🙂

Introducing a soft start to the school day can be incredibly beneficial for students. This approach allows students to ease into their day with low-stress, engaging activities rather than diving straight into academic work. A soft start might include mindfulness journaling, quiet reading, or simple puzzles. 

The benefits of a soft start include reduced anxiety, improved focus, and a smoother transition from home to school. By starting the day calmly, students are more likely to be emotionally ready and mentally prepared for learning. 

Mindfulness journals can be a game-changer in your classroom and are an excellent part of a soft start to the school day.

After all, mindful mornings lead to calm, focused learning. 

Let’s dive into the benefits, ideas for implementation, and some examples to get you started. 

The Benefits of Mindfulness Journals 

Mindfulness journals can: 

Cultivate a Positive Classroom Environment: Students who practice mindfulness are more likely to be calm, kind, and supportive of one another. 

Develop Self-Awareness and Mindfulness Skills: Regular journaling helps students connect with their feelings and understand their emotions better. 

Enhance Focus and Readiness to Learn: Starting the day with mindfulness can improve concentration and reduce stress. 

Encourage Sharing and Connection: Journaling can foster a sense of community as students share their thoughts and experiences with classmates and families. 

How to Implement Mindfulness Journals 

Here are some practical steps to bring mindfulness journals into your classroom routine: 

Display a daily mindfulness prompt on your smart board: This could be part of a resource like the Mindful Minute Journal. Students can respond in their notebooks or printed handouts. 

• Start with a Two-Word Check-In: Each morning, ask your students to describe how they feel using just two words. This simple activity can help them become more aware of their emotions. 

• Setting Intentions: Have students write down what they aim to achieve or feel that day. How will they show up for themselves and their classmates?

• Gratitude Practice: Encourage them to note something they are thankful for. 

• Kindness Journals: Ask them to write or draw about an act of kindness they did or witnessed. 

• Affirmations: Let them create positive statements about themselves. 

• Celebrating Wins: Allow them to reflect on and celebrate their successes, big or small. 

• Integrate Mindful Breathing and Movement: Use short breathing exercises or mindful movements to help students center themselves.

Keep It Going All Day

Mindful Minutes: Throughout the day, take mindful breaks where students can practice breathing exercises, engage in mindful movement, or journal.

End-of-Day Reflections: Encourage students to reflect on their day, focusing on what went well and what they can improve. This helps them end the day on a positive note. 

A Bit of Support

For additional support, consider resources like the Mindful Minute Journal for Elementary students or the Mindful Minute Journal for Secondary students.

`

Here’s to creating a mindful and harmonious classroom environment, one mindful minute at a time! 

Be well!

Christine