- positive self-talk
- guided imagery
- journaling
- affirmations
- desk stretches
- progressive muscle relaxation
- mindful meditation
- breathing techniques
1- Student interest in mindfulness techniques
I knew students were interested in these mindfulness techniques when I saw a boy pause to read the board, grab a piece of cardstock for “Progressive Muscle Relaxation,” and stick it in the side of his backpack. He skittered off quickly back to class, and I knew that even ONE student taking ONE piece of cardstock with some tips on it meant that students were being impacted!
Of course, I could easily see how many students were taking advantage of this bulletin board when the papers would run out, and I’d have to refresh them. (What a great problem to have!)
When I saw that students were interested in this one that was outside in a main hallway, I created a second mindfulness bulletin board for inside our school counseling lobby: Strategies for Mindful Moments Bulletin Board. This one gives examples of A-Z techniques that students could implement (even some while they’re sitting there waiting to see their school counselor)!
2- Teacher involvement with the mindfulness bulletin board
I loved seeing a teacher post the “Affirmations” cardstock in her classroom by the door as students exit. Positive self-talk and affirmations can really change a mindset if practiced regularly!
Once I knew the teachers who were on board, I used these influential stakeholders as I began planning a school-wide Mindfulness Day.
Because I already knew these teachers were fans of how we were already serving and helping students, I knew they would give me honest feedback and be my biggest cheerleaders for a new, large-scale event for the school!
Once I had these teachers on board for a Mindfulness Day, it was a similar process when I put together an in-person career fair and a virtual career fair!
3- Opportunities to share resources and ideas (including the mindfulness bulletin board) with other colleagues
Once this bulletin board was hanging up, we snagged a few minutes at our monthly faculty meeting to educate teachers on mindfulness, ways they can use some techniques in the classroom, and some of the recent research on it.
We showed them that all educators can get a free subscription to Calm.com which has meditations, sleep stories, music, and body relaxations. To get your own subscription using your school email (it’s your log-in for life– even if you leave education!), go to register. A real-life human will approve your request, so it takes a few days.
After this quick presentation and lesson for our own staff, teachers started implementing mindfulness techniques into their classrooms to start their day and their class periods. They’d use them to bring the class back to a restful state if they were getting off task. Some even invited us in to do lessons with the class or sent students to do a Mindfulness Check-In with the school counselors!
Additional Resources
- “Coping with Student Anxiety” – Anna Duvall and Crissy Roddy, Ph. D (2019)
- “Students with Anxiety: Implications for Professional School Counselors” – E. Heather Thompson, Ph. D., Phyllis Robertson, Ph. D., Russ Curtis, Ph. D., and Melodie H. Frick, Ph. D. (2018)
- “Calm, Cool, and Confident” – Lacretia Dye, Ph. D (2014)
- “Student Success Skills: Tools and Strategies for Improved Academic and Social Outcomes” – Linda D. Webb, Ph. D., Greg A. Brigman, Ph. D. (2006)
- “Helping Children Overcome Test Anxiety” – ASCA (2004)
If you like this mindfulness bulletin board, you might also like this Strategies for Mindful Moments Bulletin Board with A-Z mindfulness ideas for your students and staff.
Be sure to check out all of my bulletin boards in my TpT store if you’re looking to update other school counseling bulletin boards in your building!
Grab a free piece from this Mindfulness Bulletin Board when you sign up for my email list if you want to see more of what’s inside!
