Photo: Pocklington Prep School pupils during a Mindfulness session

Mindfulness classes are helping Prep School pupils relax and learn new techniques to help them focus, feel stronger and more positive.

The practice of stepping back and concentrating on your breathing and the moment is becoming an increasingly popular way of protecting mental wellbeing.

Year 2 class teacher Romney Walton is welcoming Pre Prep and Prep School pupils to her lunch-time Mindfulness sessions, and she says they’re already feeling the benefit.

Mrs Walton said: “Growing up is emotional, school life and home life are full of distractions and children all live busy and sometimes stressful lives. Mindfulness gives them a chance to stop and switch focus for a moment, and they’re going back to lessons feeling refreshed and calmer as a result.”

She added: “I’ve practised Mindfulness techniques since University. It gives you life-long tools to regulate emotions, to focus when surrounded by distractions and the mental strength to help you face challenges.

“I want to help our children develop skills to help them find a calmness wherever they are, no matter what they are doing.”

Research by MindfulnessinSchools.org found many benefits to children in practising Mindfulness, including increased self-esteem, improved social skills and reduced anxiety and depression. Benefits to teaching staff included improvements in physical and mental health and increased work motivation.

Mrs Walton is welcoming Pre-Prep children to Mindfulness classes every Wednesday lunch-time, and hosting drop in sessions for all Prep School children from Tuesday to Friday at 12.45pm.

She sets the scene for the lunch-time sessions by dimming the lights, playing gentle music and encouraging children to sit quietly and think about their posture and breathing. They listen to a soothing voice which encourages them to visualise calming scenes, before stretching and then colouring for a while to gentle music.

During warmer weather, the pupils sit under trees or go for walks where they become aware of their surroundings using their senses.  

“The idea is to provide many ways to practise Mindfulness so the children can find ones that suit them the most,” said Mrs Walton. “Anyone can learn Mindfulness and once you have those tools you can draw on them for the rest of your life.”