Today, in Mrs Stollard’s year one class, students were getting ready for what they say is the best part of their day – a journey through mindful meditation, which de-stresses and relaxes the body. 

“At the very beginning students found meditation to be unusual. Kids don’t have a lot of time to be still and present, especially with technology these days,” said Inclusion Support Teacher Ginny Edwards, the driving force behind implementing the Smiling Mind Meditation program in the school. 

“Over time they have become able to meditate and be mindful during the guided sessions,” she said. 

Smiling Mind is a not-for-profit organisation that works to make mindfulness accessible to all and has been a part of the students daily lives at St Josephs since last year.

After lunch, when excitement levels are usually at their highest, is the most common time teachers are using Smiling Mind Meditation guides. 

In Ms Stollard’s year one class today, the Smiling Mind Meditation guide, online and easily accessible for teachers, took students on a ten minute ‘bubble journey’. 

The calm voice of the guide had the children lying still, eyes closed, taking big, deep, calming breaths. 

Afterwards, the students reflected on how they felt. 

“My all crazy mind gets out of me and into the calm,” said year one student Matilda Wheeler. 

Other students said the meditation helped them learn better and feel more relaxed. 

Mrs Stollard said the guides especially help the students who struggle with stillness. 

Getting involved in the meditation sessions, she said the ten minutes of calm breaks up a stressful day. 

“The students have been really receptive, I have noticed a difference in my afternoon sessions – the students are more engaged and focused,” Ms Stollard said. 

The program, now implemented in other schools around Katherine, is seeing increased academic outcomes and stress reduction in students and teachers. 

School psychologist Cheryl Edward said when implemented regularly, mediation has a real impact. 

“A stressed brain can’t learn, students could have the best teacher in front of them, but if they are not calm they cannot learn or remember,” Ms Edward said. 

“(Smiling Mind Meditation guides) also gives kids ownership over their stress levels and a tool to manage that stress,” she said

Making mindfulness history, Jilkminggan School is translating the meditation guides into Kriol. 

Josie Lardy the Jilkminggan School teacher behind the idea, said she wanted the Indigenous students to have a powerful ownership of the words. 

Jilkminggan School principal Jess Robinson said she will continue to run the program. 

“It’s simple, and we know it works because we are seeing positive results. It is a win win for both our teachers and students,” she said. 

Data collection to see long term effects have just begun, with an aim of implementing the program in all schools across Katherine in the future.