mindfulness at the heights

The Del Mar Heights PTA along with our school staff has recognized the importance of mindfulness for our school. In an educational setting, mindfulness has proven effective in enhancing attention, reducing stress, and boosting learning retention. From a neuroscience point of view, attentional monitoring systems of the prefrontal cortex are engaged while practicing mindfulness. This area of the brain is responsible for decision making, social/emotion regulation and cognitive function also known as executive functioning. In this fast-paced, interconnected world these skills are essential to be successful in work and life.
 
With the support from Shauna Piscitello, a licensed Occupational Therapist with training in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, the kids are introduced on how to pay attention with a sense of curiosity and purpose without judgment. She uses the “upstairs/downstairs” brain analogy and other various ways to strengthen their mindful muscles such as focusing their “flash light of attention” and “star-fish breathing” when she visits the classrooms. Ask your students about these terms.

Questions? Contact Jazmin Blais or Kate Lampe.

family resources

To better assist the class-to-home connection, here's a list of resources for parents and students to use at home below.


Books for Children


Mindfulness
  • Mindful Monkey, Happy Panda by Lauren Alderfer and Kerry Lee MacLean 

  • Someday by Eileen Spinelli
  • Fantastic Elastic Brain by JoAnne Deak, PhD 

  • The Listening Walk, by Paul Showers 

  • Puppy Mind, by Andrew Jordan Nance
  • But It's Not My Fault, by Julia Cook
  • Master of Mindfulness by Laurie Grossman, Angelina Alvarez
  • The Tail of Max the Mindless Dog, by Florenza Lee
  • The Adventures of Everyday Geniuses: Mrs. Gorski, I Think I Have the Wiggle Fidgets, by Barbara Esham

For Difficult Emotions/Anxiety/Worry
  • David and the Worry Beast, by Anne Marie Guanci
  • Charlotte And The Quiet Place, by Deborah Sosin
  • Is A Worry Worrying You? by Ferida Wolff and Harriet May Savitz
  • I Can Handle It! by Laurie Wright
 
Perfectionism and Resiliency
  • The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes by Mark Pett and Gary Rubinstein
  • My Day is Ruined! by Bryan Smith
  • The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
  • The Book of Mistakes by Corinna Luyken

Kindness, Empathy and Diversity
  • The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig
  • My Secret Bully by Trudy Ludwig
  • Spaghetti in a Hot Dog by Maria Dismondy
  • Wonder by R.J. Palacio
  • Auggie & Me: Three wonder stories by R.J. Palacio
 
Awareness of Emotions
  • Visiting Feelings by Lauren Rubenstein
  • The Way I Feel by Janan Cain
  • Listening to My Body by Gabi Garcia
  • Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst
 
Impulse Control
  • My Mouth is a Volcano! by Julia Cook
  • What Were You Thinking? by Bryan Smith
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Digital Apps or Websites for Children
  • MindYeti 

  • Headspace for Kids 

  • Smiling Mind - A program used in Australia’s public schools 

  • Common Sense Media  - List of apps for children ages 4 and up


Audio for Children - for relaxation or help with sleep
  • Ages 4-7: A Boy and a Bear: A Relaxation Story introducing deep breathing to decrease stress and anger while promoting peaceful sleep, by Lori Lite 

  • Ages 6-12: Sea Otter Cove: A Relaxation Story introducing deep breathing to decrease stress and anger while promoting peaceful sleep by Lori Lite 

  • For children who like to visualize (ages 7 & up): A Boy and a Turtle: A Children's Relaxation Story to improve sleep, manage stress, anxiety, anger (Indigo Dreams) 

  • Angry Octopus: An Anger Management Story, introducing active progressive muscular relaxation and deep breathing - Lori Lite 

  • A Still Quiet Place for youth by Dr. Amy Saltzman (CD)


Websites, Blogs & Research for Everyone  

Digital Apps for Adults
  • Headspace

  • 10% Happier

  • Calm

  • Mindfulness Daily

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Books for Parents
  • 10 Mindful Minutes by Goldie Hawn, founder of the Hawn Foundation 

  • Fidget Wisely: 10 ways to teach mindfulness skills to kids who can't sit still; A book for 
parents, teachers and therapists by Mary Keach 

  • The Mindful Parent by Charlotte Peterson, PhD 

  • Mindful Parenting by Kristen Race, PhD 

  • Raising Happiness: In Pursuit of Joyful Kids, Happier Parents by Christine Carr, PhD 



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