Breathing Space Mindfulness Meditation KS2 KS3

The Breathing Space meditation is a quick way of encouraging children (or adults) to step out of auto-pilot, whereby they become aware of the thoughts and emotions that are currently driving their mood and behaviour, before harnessing the power of their attention via breath and body.

It’s a super effective way of practising self-awareness and self-management, the key components of emotional intelligence and mental health. It can be used with individual children at home or with full classes in school. It’s useful whether practised every morning, as a means of resetting attitudes after break/lunch/transition or as a tool to use in the moment, when students moods/attitudes are perhaps slipping.

The wording of this meditation works best I think for KS2 - KS3 though I think it’s worth trying with KS1 KS4 or adults (works a treat for me!)

I’ve attached a link to the YouTube clip and the audio file, as well as the slides that I use alongside this meditation, which encourage follow-up discussion so that children are expanding their emotional vocabulary also. If you enjoy this, check out my lockdown #mindful100 project on here YouTube.

Jo Steer is a former Primary/Secondary teacher, trained in Mindfulness, YogaKidz, CBT essentials & Forest School practice. She is a TES Wellbeing Columnist & works in schools delivering bespoke wellbeing workshops and upgraded PSHE. See www.skillswithfrills.com to learn more!