Mindfulness as a Pathway to Well-Being for Gifted Students and Their Teachers: Using Mindfulness to Cope with Stress and Anxiety

Chair: Dorothy Sisk, Lamar University

Dorothy Sisk
Lamar University
USA

Mindfulness is both an ancient and contemporary practice that has support as an evidence-based practice that serves as a coping mechanism for reducing stress and anxiety. Incorporating mindfulness in the classroom has the added benefit of strengthening executive function, enhancing self-awareness and self-regulation, and promoting a sense of self-control and well-being for gifted students. Teachers who use mindfulness practices find that the daily stresses and challenges diminish as they use mindfulness practices to develop a caring and responsive classroom environment. This session will provide specific mindfulness practices combined with practical suggestions for home and school to develop inner awareness and to meet the affective needs of gifted students. This interactive presentation will give participants an opportunity to experience mindfulness practices, share resources, and discuss the results of a research study using mindfulness practices with gifted secondary students.