Last week, we discussed the powerful impact that setting intentions can have on our daily lives. Setting a daily intention can completely change how we interpret our day to day activities and interactions, even when things start to go wrong. This can help improve our ability to collaborate with colleagues, make meetings with parents more enjoyable, and change how we respond to that difficult student.
Intentions can and should stretch beyond your professional life. Think about what you want to notice within yourself, your friends, and your family members. Take time to reflect on what you wish to accomplish within these relationships as well as within the relationship you have with yourself.
If setting intentions can be so powerful for adults, could it be powerful for students, too? Research has shown that integrating mindful practices can help children increase their attention, and improves self-awareness, self-regulation and mental health.
Including intentions within your classroom routine is an excellent (and easy) morning activity to help strengthen social and emotional wellbeing. Like most classroom routines, the concept of setting intentions will need to start with explicit teaching and modeling as the students become comfortable. Don’t forget to remind students to think back to their intention throughout their day – are the choices they’re making in line with their intention? Are they taking the time to notice what is really important to them?
And good news! By modeling this daily intention routine, you’ll be helping yourself stay on track with your own intentions.
We’ve provided some resources to help you get started – simply enter your information below to receive a classroom powerpoint and intention journals differentiated by grade.
The Nation’s Leading SEL Company
Move This World is the leading provider of social emotional learning (SEL) multimedia experiences for students, teachers, and families. Our SEL programs are customized for PreK-12 students and are delivered through short interactive lessons with the goal of empowering students to navigate the rapidly-changing realities of their world – both in the classroom and throughout their lives. The impactful yet simple Move This World SEL curriculum allows educators and families to incorporate Social Emotional Learning into their schedules every day, without planning or prep.
Contact us to learn more about SEL Grants and bringing Social Emotional Learning to your classroom.
Related links:
- SEL for Elementary School Students
- SEL for Middle School Students
- SEL for High School Students
- SEL for Teachers