Mindful Awareness Program, Kindergarten-5th grade
Promoting Life Skills
THE MAJOR EMPHASIS OF THE K-5 EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS IS CULTIVATING A HOLISTIC WORLD-VIEW AND A NON-INJURIOUS WAY OF LIFE. WITHIN THIS CONTEXT THE WORD “WORLD-VIEW” REFERS TO HOW WE SEE THE WORLD AND UNDERSTAND OUR PLACE WITHIN IT.
THE MAJOR THEMES THAT ARE DEVELOPED IN SUPPORT OF A HOLISTIC WORLD-VIEW ARE INTERDEPENDENCE, OR SHIFTING FROM “ME” TO “WE” THINKING, THE HAPPINESS OF BEING, WHICH IS THE FULFILLMENT WE EXPERIENCE FROM OUR WAY OF BEING IN THE WORLD AND NOT WHAT WE GET FROM THE WORLD, AND PERSONAL EMPOWERMENT, OR THE RECOGNITION THAT WE ALL MATTER AND WHAT WE THINK, SAY AND DO IMPACTS THE WORLD AROUND US.
THE THEME OF INTERDEPENDENCE IS A POTENT ANTIDOTE TO THE SOCIAL INJUSTICE AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION THAT IS PERPETUATED BY SELF-CENTEREDNESS AND NARCISSISM. THE EXPLORATION OF THE HAPPINESS OF BEING PROVIDES AN IMPORTANT BALANCE TO THE SOCIETAL PRESSURE OF UNRESTRAINED CONSUMERISM AND THE FIXATION OF LOOKING FOR WELLBEING IN WHAT WE GET FROM THE WORLD IN TERMS OF WEALTH, PRESTIGE AND POWER. THE RECOGNITION OF PERSONAL EMPOWERMENT PROTECTS US FROM HOPELESSNESS AND DESPAIR AND IMPARTS A SENSE OF PERSONAL EFFICACY AND SELF-MASTERY.
TO NURTURE A NON-INJURIOUS WAY OF LIFE STUDENTS EXPLORE A NUMBER OF GAMES AND EXERCISES THAT PROMOTE SELF-AWARENESS OF THEIR BODY, SPEECH AND MIND. WITH HEIGHTENED SELF-AWARENESS STUDENTS LEARN TO RECOGNIZE DESTRUCTIVE IMPULSES AND CONSIDER ALTERNATIVE RESPONSES. ALONG WITH SELF-AWARENESS STUDENTS CULTIVATE EMPATHY AND KINDNESS AND INVIGORATE THE INCLINATION FOR ALTRUISM.
IN ADDITION TO THE CULTIVATION OF A HOLISTIC WORLD-VIEW AND A NON-INJURIOUS WAY OF LIFE, FLOURISH PROGRAMMING AT THE ELEMENTARY LEVEL INTRODUCES A LANGUAGE OF EMOTION AND BASIC ELEMENTS OF MEDITATION THAT SUPPORT SELF-SOOTHING, FOCUSED ATTENTION, AND GRATITUDE.