A 272 page curriculum written especially for the teacher, camp director, or really cool parent or guardian who wants to use original stories, art activities, and fun games to teach mindfulness as well as social and emotional learning (SEL) to their kids! This book offers a complete course of study that helps kids identify and talk about their feelings, self-regulate and self-soothe when stressed, and learn from easy mindfulness practices.
What People Are Saying about Mindful Arts in the Classroom
"A treasury of creative advice, games, practices, stories, and scripts from one of my favorite and fun mindfulness teachers working today! I don't know whether you'll have more fun teaching or the kids will have more fun practicing!"
—Chris Willard, PsyD, author of Growing Up Mindful and Raising Resilience
"As an elementary school principal, I've noticed how many students struggle to simply take a deep breath. There is nothing more important than recognizing and being able to name how we are feeling, and the stories in this book teach students this art.
Through the humor and joy of storytelling, students learn to name their feelings and notice their surroundings. Our teachers love it as much as our students and we continue to see kids more in tune with their feelings and better able to self-regulate."
—Jeremy Hilinski, principal of Bret Harte Elementary, Bayview District, San Francisco
“Andrew’s inspired and engaging curriculum helps make mindfulness concepts and practices accessible for children through the use of storytelling, clever metaphors, creative activities, and fun games. This experiential, kid-friendly approach is sure to help plant the seeds of the beneficial life skills of mindfulness.”
—Christina Costelo, program manager at Mindful Schools
“Using games, poetry, body movement, and other learning portals, Nance offers ways to engage young learners in practices designed to teach them to become aware of their emotional state in order to make good choices about how to respond to the world around them. With step-by-step instructions for teachers, he provides a secular and scientific basis for introducing young students to mindful practices.”
—Michele Lilyanna, author of Awakening Joy for Kids
"Andrew is one of the key pioneer leaders in bringing mindfulness to students in innovative, creative, and engaging ways. He displays this once again in this phenomenal book."
—J. G. Larochette, founder and executive director of the Mindful Life Project
"I really believe this curriculum teaches skills that will save children's lives."
—Stacey Gonzalez, transitional kindergarten classroom teacher, San Francisco
"This curriculum is so thorough and complete! It covers everything that a Mindful Educator needs to know in terms of content, presentation, potential student responses, positive reinforcement, behavior issues, primary teacher tips, resources, and so on!"
-Sharon Maloney, Retired Educator, Cartwright School District, Phoenix, AZ