.b Foundations

Course Overview: 

The .b Foundations course, developed by Mindfulness in Schools Project (MiSP) in the UK, serves as an introduction to mindfulness, aimed at enhancing participants' understanding of mindfulness and promoting general well-being. It is developed with reference to “Mindfulness, Finding Peace in a Frantic World” written by Prof. Mark Williams & Danny Penman. It also echoes the content to be covered in the two school-based mindfulness interventions targeted for children and teenagers, Paws b and .b respectively.

This course is designed for adults connected with your school community, including teachers, teaching support staff, administrative and site staff, as well as school management.

Published peer-reviewed studies show that mindfulness-based interventions for educators have the following benefits:

• Reductions in stress, burnout, and anxiety: This includes fewer days off work and feelings of task and time pressure, improved management of thoughts and behavior, and increased coping skills, motivation, planning, problem-solving, and relaxation.

• Better mental health: Less distress, negative emotion, depression, and anxiety.

• Greater well-being: Higher life satisfaction, self-confidence, self-efficacy, self-compassion, and a sense of personal growth.

• Increased kindness and compassion: Greater empathy, tolerance, forgiveness, patience, and less anger and hostility.

• Better physical health: Lower blood pressure, reduced cortisol (a stress hormone) levels, and fewer reported physical health problems.

• Enhanced cognitive performance: Improved attention, focus, decision-making, and flexibility in responding to challenges.

• Improved job performance: Better classroom management and organization, greater ability to prioritize and see the whole picture, increased self-motivation and autonomy, greater attunement to students' needs, and more supportive relationships with them.
  

Course Structure:

This course introduces mindfulness over eight weeks through group sessions of approximately 90 minutes each week. These sessions can be scheduled at a time that suits your group and can be held in your school or setting. 

The course is delivered in person, facilitating real-time interaction within your group. Alternatively, you may opt for the online course.

A certificate will be issued when the participant has completed at least 80% of the course. 

If you are interested in teaching mindfulness to your students, completing a qualified 8-week mindfulness course (including this .b Foundations course) and maintaining a regular mindfulness practice will qualify you for further training to teach the following curriculums offered by the MiSP: 

• the dots curriculum (for 3-6 year-olds), 

• the Paws b curriculum (for 7-11 year-olds), 

• the Present (for 3-12 year-olds),

• the .b curriculum (for 11-18 year-olds).

*Note that further training is needed to be able to deliver mindfulness training to students.

Course Arrangement: 

• Expected class size of around 16 participants. 

• Can be attended while seated in chairs; sitting on the floor is not required. 

• Can be conducted in the school hall or multi-purpose activity room.
  

Join this empowering journey with .b Foundations to cultivate a mindfulness culture within your school, improve your well-being, and enhance the quality of your professional and personal life.