Schools focus on the almighty tests, but what about happiness?
School shootings.
Mass shootings.
Teachers attacking students.
Students attacking teachers.
Where are we going here?
We can spend money and improve security, but the problem is deeper.
-Much deeper.
Now it’s not just about the idea that schools have removed prayer and spirituality.
Students struggle with so many things and they not only need someone to listen to them; they are also bombarded with information and it is mostly noise-even if it is correct information.
This is not just about meditation-although that is a good tool. It’s about slowing thoughts down and reflecting.
School activities focus on test scores, but what if schools actually helped students focus? When I was in school, we had to take notes, but nobody taught me how to take notes. I struggled but I figured it out.
But we are moving rapidly and now is the time to stop or slow down and take stock. Schools don’t teach students to meditate or quiet their thoughts. Even as an adult, it is difficult.
Yet the tide is slowly changing for the better. Schools are using detention as an opportunity to meditate.
I used this with my students in the past and yes most of them just used humor as a deflection and that’s fine, but some benefited. One student said that she felt calm and happy. One student said that he enjoyed it simply instead of doing the assignment.
But it’s a start.
Sometimes you must take a few steps back to move forward.
Will meditation help test scores directly? Probably not, but imagine if students were more comfortable and happier, and felt that schools are helping them deal not just with school but with life and stress, then yes it will help in the long run.
