The Mindful Edge: Stress Management and Life Strategies for Teens
The Mindful Edge at R. H. King; In Their Voices -
The Benefits of Mindfulness
The Mindful Edge® is a specially-developed program to provide Stress Reduction and Life Strategies for Teens. It is based on the principles of the MBSR Workshop program created by Jon Kabat-Zinn.
The Mindful Edge™ combines the practices of mindfulness with knowledge of brain science, positive psychology, movement and healthy living skills to create a program that benefits teens socially, emotionally, physically and academically.
Students actively participate in the process of unfolding a practical understanding of mindfulness and how it can benefit them in their lives.
5-Session Workshops for Students (grades 6-8 | 9-12) ages 12-19.
- Reducing stress
- Cultivating present-moment attention
- Increasing focus and attention skills
- Increasing positive coping skills
- Developing emotional regulation and balance strategies
- Teaching the science on how the brain affects behaviour and learning
- Manage transitions in life, i.e. to high school/post-secondary
- Developing communications skills to foster improved relationships
- Improving overall mental and physical health and well-being
Being a Teen is Stressful!
The Program Helps Students Enhance Health and Well-Being by:
The Mindful Edge Teachers
The Mindful Edge program is delivered by qualified, experienced teachers, each with a strong background and practice in mindfulness. See our 'Mindful Edge Facilitators' page for more information.
Course Structure
The 3-unit program is composed of 1.5-hour themed sessions, delivered in small groups, in person or online.
Overall Program Goal -
Resilience: Skill for being with the ups and downs in life
Unit 1 - Mindfulness Essentials
| Session | Theme | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Sessions1 | What is Stress? | Physiology of stress and how mindfulness can ease and help manage students' response to stress. |
| Session 2 | Why Be Mindful? | Intro to mindfulness and relevance for students, establishing personal connection - the buy-in. |
| Session 3 | How to Practice Mindfulness? Paying Attention to Body and Breath | Experience of mindful practices that use body and breath as an anchor to attention: body scan, circle breathing, mindful eating. |
| Session 4 | What is the Neuroscience of Mindfulness? | The neuroscience of attention and neuroplasticity. |
| Session 5 | Connection - The Wrap Up |
Going forward, reviewing how participants can implement mindfulness practice into daily life. |
Unit 2 - Social and Emotional Learning
| Session | Theme | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Session 6 | What is the Science of Happiness? | Happiness is a state that can be cultivated through practicing gratitude, appreciation & kindness, drawing on the recent research on Positive Psychology. |
| Session 7 | How do Emotions Impact Thoughts and Behaviour? | What is Social and Emotional Intelligence? Exploring emotional literacy, moods, feelings and the continuum of emotions. |
| Session 8 | How to Manage Strong Emotions? | We can learn to manage strong emotions in a way that helps us identify our needs and get them met in situations, and does not escalate them. |
| Session 9 | How do Thoughts Impact Emotions and Behaviour? | What is the Nature of Thinking? Relationships and connections can be enhanced through practicing mindful speaking and listening. |
| Session 10 | Connection - The Wrap Up | Going forward, reviewing how participants can practice healthy mental and physical habits, self-awareness, emotion regulation and connection. |
Unit 3 - Compassionate Leadership
| Sessions | Theme | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Session 11 | What is Mindful Self-Compassion? | Self-compassion is a skill that can be cultivated, exploring the three foundations of mindful self-compassion: mindfulness, self kindness and common humanity. How to be your own best friend. |
| Session 12 | How Can Mindfulness Impact Creativity? | Exploring mindful art-based activities. |
| Session 13 | What Does Mindful Leadership Look Like? | Investigating the aspects of mindfulness that support leadership: awareness, attention, intention and action. |
| Session 14 | How Does Mindful Communication Improve Relationships? | Mindful communication involves applying principles of mindfulness to the way we correspond with others. These principles include setting an intention, being fully present, remaining open and non-judgmental, and relating to others with compassion. |
| Session 15 | How to Bring Self-Compassion & Self Care in my Life? | Putting It All Together. Going forward, reviewing how participants can implement self-compassion, self-care, resiliency, and connectioninto their lives. |