Unique! This elementary school replaced punishment with meditation

Mindful Moment Room

The Robert W. Coleman Elementary School in Baltimore (US) thinks that punishment doesn’t teach children anything. That’s why they decided to take a different approach. Children that misbehave at this school are not sent out into the hall, but rather to the Mindful Moment Room. Yes, it is a meditation room. They don’t have to write any lines, but are encouraged to meditate and do mindfulness exercises.

According to school management, the children became calmer, were able to focus better and the overall number of suspensions declined. The tools and techniques given to the children allowed them to make different choices in the future.

Holistic Life Foundation

The Mindful Meditation Room is part of the Holistic Life Foundation's after-school program. This nonprofit organization is committed to the well-being of adults and children in disadvantaged communities. They use programs that focus on meditation, mindfulness and yoga, so the children can develop their inner strength.

Better school results through meditation

The Robert W. Coleman Elementary School is not the only school that practices (optie: offers) meditation. At the Maharishi School of the Age of Enlightenment (MSAE) in Iowa, children meditate three times a day, for 10 minutes at a time! According to the school officials, it helps the students to focus better and to improve their learning ability. It’s no coincidence that this school achieves exceptional results and belongs to the top 1% of US schools.

Meditation for children: what are the benefits (optie: effects)?

Children that meditate from an early age, are given tools and techniques that can have a big impact on the rest of their lives. They ‘train’ how to stay grounded in their own energy, to calm down and to take a moment’s rest when they feel the need.

Meditation offers a wealth of benefits, also for kids:

• It gives a sense of calm and relaxation. Meditation allows you to focus on your breathing or the voice that guides the meditation, and during that time you’re not dealing with your thoughts or emotions.

• It improves attention and concentration. When you meditate, you try to be in the here and now (optie: try to be more present in the moment). By focusing on one thing you automatically improve (optie: boost) your attention.

• Meditation stimulates the imagination. Meditation allows you to explore your inner self, as it were, and creates space for your inner voice. Guided meditations and visualizations also stimulate the creativity.