Technology is synonymous for faster speeds. It doesn’t have to be! With technology to scaffold us, we can learn to slow down, build attention and lower stress. At the end of a 75 minutes interactive session, participants will be able to describe mindful reflection, have practice with some free apps/websites, and will get resources and research for continued growth.

1. Slow Down with Tech:
A Morsel of Reflection & Mindfulness in the Classroom
Beth Rajan Sockman Ph.D.
Graduate Coordinator Instructional Technology
East Stroudsburg University of PA
Spring into Technology | ESASD | 2017

2. Take- Aways
● Describe the research supporting mindfulness that is based on medical
studies and the way the brain works
● Engage in fun mindful reflection that can be used without “technology”
● Describe the rationale for the use of technology in mindfulness (when it can
be done without:-)
● Practice with some free apps/websites that could be useful for various
ages
● Determine at least one way that you could incorporate
mindfulness into your class.
● Share ideas for future growth from resources and to research

3. What do you hope get From this session?
How to better present technology to 1st and 2nd grade.

4. Problem
&
WHY

5. Activity
Did you hear
that?
Part I

6. REwiring our brains
I just was answering a
quick text message.
I’ll take a picture,
but I may forget it
faster than in the
past.
I can jump to so
many ideas in 10
seconds! There are
so many great things
to look at!

7. Relationships -
can take #2 priority
I’m going tell
everyone
I’m
winning!
Wow -so
important!
I’m with
family but so
stressed out.
I’m with
friends
but feel
alone.
What’s going
to happen!

8. Stress

9. Choice Today > Relief - Focus - Attention

10. BREATHE

11. Agenda 10:15 - 11:30 AM
Background -15 Min (Definition & Research Supporting)
Developmental Appropriate Mindfulness
45 minutes (Learning & Practice)
Application in Your Settings - 15 minutes

12. Mindfulness & Reflection
what it means in
Practice & Brain Function

13. Review- mindfulness & reflection
What IS Mindfulness?
The practice of bringing one’s
full awareness to their thoughts,
feelings, and experiences in the
present moment.
“With Kindness and Curiosity”
Non-judgemental: there is no
“right” or “wrong” way to feel.
Turning off auto-pilot!

14. Roots
of
Mindfulness

15. Grow into
Many
kinds of
Forests

16. Research Supporting -
Choice

17. Brain > Mindfulness Something >
forms a trigger >
emotions

18. Brain > Path
Brain takes path
familiar NOT what is
good for you.
Brain takes path
that is the most
familiar
What gets your
attention
Sense
Emotion -
Amygdala
Stress

19. Some control
of the switch

20. DNA - Stress >
Gene can be turned on and off

23. Brain >
Mindfulness
Change the Brain
Path
Sense
New path -
Thinking!
Helpful thoughts
& emotions
Meditation can help ...
Brake the path
Give brain a break
Have helpful emotions
Release endorphins - Feel better
Emotion -
Amygdala

24. Neuroplasticity

25. KIds & Schools
Need to focus on a
single task
20 percent of all
students have what
are classified as
behavioral or
emotional problems
at school every year
Standards - Pennsylvania
State Standards
English Language Arts(1st Grade):
Standard - CC.1.4.1.O
Include thoughts and feelings to
describe experiences and events
English Language proficiency
(1st, 2nd, 3rd grades):
Standard - ELP.1.S.1-3.2.1
Share feelings and emotions, likes or
dislikes using visual supports.
Higher expectations!

26. WHY practice Mindfulness & Reflection?
● Build attention and self regulation
● Connects with Social-Emotional Development
● Introverted and Extroverted students
● Help students to cope with difficult situations (death of
a loved one, divorce, test anxiety, bullying, etc.) by
identifying their feelings and experiences
● Contribute to building a classroom community
● Reflective and intentional decision making

27. Developmentally
Appropriate Mindfulness

28. Just Breathe!

29. Early Childhood - Development
● Social-Emotional Development crucial during these years
● Increasing awareness of their own and other’s emotions
● Developing self-control- Experimenting with and
Implementing strategies
● Developing their own identities
● Taking ownership and self-regulating

30. Early Childhood - Development Appropriate
Mindfulness(DAM)
● Play based
● Visualizations: Make abstract concepts concrete!
○ Breathing buddy
○ Dragon breaths
○ Blowing bubbles
● Modeling

31. Early Childhood - Development Appropriate
Mindfulness(DAM)
● Creative Arts - Music, Movement, Visual Arts
● Stories
● Listening Centers
● Can be used with or without technology!

32. Activity
Did you hear that?
MOVE.
Part II

34. There’s an App for that!

35. Why Use Technology - Phone?
No prerequisite
knowledge necessary
Mobile
Anywhere
Anytime
Select what is good
for you and
different age groups
COOL TOOl
Use a current
distraction -->
For the good

38. Middle & High School Development
Powerful Brains - many synapses with less connections
● Learn much more efficiently than adults, with less effort
● Many synapses so very excitable
Emotional center is strong - Amygdala
Prefrontal lobe is not fully developed - empathy, insight,
cognitive reasoning
Want to know WHY!!!

39. Middle & High Development Appropriate
Mindfulness(DAM)Modeling
Share research
● May perform better on tests
● Improve concentration
● Reduce anxiety, stress &
depression
Teach about the brain
Use technology!

40. APPS Stop Breathe Think
- Web & App (FREE)
Journey

41. Mindfulness police:
"You have the right to
remain silent!”

42. APPS
● Stop Breathe Think - Web & App (FREE)
● Smiling Mind - Web & App
● Headspace - Web & App (10 Free ≤ $)
● Muse - App & Device to track brain waves ($)

43. How To Start in Your Class
● Sound activity - Start before class
● Listening station
● Review brain & brain growth with
students
● Stop for 2-5 minutes before an activity
- focus the brain with an app
● Before a test - help focus the brain
with breathing
● During Transitions

44. .... How can You start?

45. Activity Ideas

46. Build Awareness
Music & Heart Activity - Music affects our heart.
Cup of water - Focus
Sense of Wonder - your field

47. Ideas...
● Best time is after lunch
● Bell sound app
● Forest sounds app
● Helps students refocus
● The cup activity
○ To build confidence
● The breathing activity
● Observing the temperature of the room
● Focus activity with songs

48. Resources

49. Summary - WHY?
● Higher expectations but less ability to focus!
● Students need to focus on a single task
● 20 percent of all students have what are classified as
behavioral or emotional problems at school every year
● May perform better on tests
● Improve concentration
● Reduce anxiety, stress & depression

50. BREATHE

51. Start with You ....
then help others...

52. WANT TO collaboraTE?
Beth Rajan Sockman
bsockman@esu.edu