Bringing Nonviolent Communication and Mindfulness into the Classroom

Students come to school with two backpacks: one having their academics, textbooks, journals... and the other backpack having everything we can't see (their mood, stress, anxiety). High stress levels can negatively impact learning, memory, behavior, and both physical and mental health.

Research shows that mindfulness skills improve memory, organizational skills, reading and math scores, all while giving kids the tools they need to handle toxic stress. To help better support students, faculty and staff at the International American School (IAS) of Warsaw were recently trained on NVC (Nonviolent Communication) and Mindfulness and how to apply them.

The IAS Mindfulness program for students provides tools to build attention and greater self awareness. The 10 week program is comprised of 45 minute sessions that are engaging, intuitive and practice based, with aims to help young people gain a quiet mind, better concentration, reduced stress, and more energy.

This is IAS Principal Matthew Krasner's latest address to the school community.  Learn a little about what NVC (Nonviolent Communication) and Mindfulness is, how IAS is incorporating them within their own classrooms and school culture, and the benefit to students.