Rix, Grant (Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand, New Zealand)
Mindfulness in education, workplaces, and healthcare–a New Zealand approach
In 2013, the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand (MHF) delivered a new eight-week mindfulness programme to primary aged children (6-11 years) across five New Zealand schools. The programme was developed to align with the New Zealand education curriculum and accounts for the local socio-cultural context. A Māori model of hauora (holistic wellbeing), Te Whare Tapa Wha, was incorporated as a core component.
The programme covered themes of breath-body awareness, sensory awareness, kindness and gratitude, emotion-regulation, and interconnectedness. Classroom teachers completed fortnightly journal entries that contributed to a thematic analysis of the programme. Preliminary results suggest improved calmness, enhanced self-awareness, increased focus and attention, improvements in conflict resolution skills, the development of positive relationships, and reduced stress. In 2014 the MHF has expanded the programme to an increased number of schools, is designing a professional development component for school teachers, and is conducting two robust studies in partnership with researchers from the University of Auckland and the Auckland University of Technology.
This presentation will reflect on the 2013 pilot and provide an update on the 2014 research. It will also discuss how the mindfulness in schools programme fits within a broader strategy for promoting mindfulness through education, workplaces, and healthcare in Aotearoa/New Zealand. The Mindfulness Strategy includes the promotion of the ‘five ways to wellbeing’ (give, connect, take notice, keep learning, be active), and is regarded as a core strategy contributing to the MHF’s vision of “Creating a Society Where All New Zealander’s Flourish.”
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Mindfulness in education, workplaces, and healthcare–a New Zealand approach
In 2013, the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand (MHF) delivered a new eight-week mindfulness programme to primary aged children (6-11 years) across five New Zealand schools. The programme was developed to align with the New Zealand education curriculum and accounts for the local socio-cultural context. A Māori model of hauora (holistic wellbeing), Te Whare Tapa Wha, was incorporated as a core component.
The programme covered themes of breath-body awareness, sensory awareness, kindness and gratitude, emotion-regulation, and interconnectedness. Classroom teachers completed fortnightly journal entries that contributed to a thematic analysis of the programme. Preliminary results suggest improved calmness, enhanced self-awareness, increased focus and attention, improvements in conflict resolution skills, the development of positive relationships, and reduced stress. In 2014 the MHF has expanded the programme to an increased number of schools, is designing a professional development component for school teachers, and is conducting two robust studies in partnership with researchers from the University of Auckland and the Auckland University of Technology.
This presentation will reflect on the 2013 pilot and provide an update on the 2014 research. It will also discuss how the mindfulness in schools programme fits within a broader strategy for promoting mindfulness through education, workplaces, and healthcare in Aotearoa/New Zealand. The Mindfulness Strategy includes the promotion of the ‘five ways to wellbeing’ (give, connect, take notice, keep learning, be active), and is regarded as a core strategy contributing to the MHF’s vision of “Creating a Society Where All New Zealander’s Flourish.”
Download Presentation