Empowering Middle Schoolers with Mindfulness: Introducing “Mindfully Me”

As school counselors, we’re always on the lookout for innovative resources that can support our students’ emotional and social development. This is why I’m thrilled to share a must have tool for school counselors. A small group counseling curriculum called “Mindfully Me”.

This comprehensive, 7-week mindfulness program is tailor-made for middle school students. This curriculum aligns with the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) standards and is perfect for many of our students.

Supporting Anxious Students

When we think about mindfulness lessons, we often focus on anxious students. However, mindfulness practice can benefit many different students. This includes those dealing with stress, attention difficulties, behavioral issues, academic pressure, emotional or mental health concerns, transitions, special needs, or high achievement. It’s quite a diverse list! Mindfulness encourages relaxation, self-awareness, emotional regulation, attention, social skills, resilience, and overall well-being. This makes “Mindfully Me” a great fit for many of the students we work with.

Why “Mindfully Me”?

Middle school is a critical time for personal and emotional growth. At this stage, the “Mindfully Me” program intervenes to empower students with crucial mindfulness skills. These skills help them navigate the challenges of adolescence. By focusing on emotional regulation, effective communication, and overall well-being, this curriculum equips students with essential tools for success. Additionally, its alignment with ASCA standards ensures smooth integration with your school’s counseling program, enriching your toolkit for student support and development.

Program Highlights

• Interactive Curriculum: “Mindfully Me” is packed with fun, hands-on activities that make learning mindfulness exciting and impactful.
• Holistic Development: The program helps students develop important life skills such as managing emotions, understanding others, and communicating effectively, fostering a positive and strong mindset.
• ASCA Standards Alignment: This curriculum closely follows ASCA Mindset and Behavior Standards, playing a key role in shaping students’ overall development.

Program Structure

This mindfulness curriculum has been designed so that you can use the seven sessions separately or as a whole curriculum. The seven sessions include:

1. Session 1 – Welcome and Introduction to Mindfulness: This session serves as an orientation where students are introduced to the “Mindfully Me” program. It emphasizes the importance of mindfulness in everyday life, explores the expectations for the group, and establishes a safe and supportive atmosphere.
2. Session 2 – Mindful Moments: In this session, students delve into the concept of mindfulness and practice being fully present in the moment. They engage in mindfulness activities to understand the power of the “here and now.”
3. Session 3 – Exploring Feelings: This session guides students to explore their emotions. They learn to identify and understand their feelings and develop strategies for coping with difficult emotions constructively.
4. Session 4 – Mindful Senses: Students explore their five senses and how these senses can be used as anchors for mindfulness. They learn to focus on sensory experiences to stay present and engage in practical sensory activities.
5. Session 5 – Mindful Breathing: Mindful breathing is introduced as a powerful tool for self-regulation. Students practice various breathing techniques to manage stress and enhance emotional control.
6. Session 6 – Gratitude: Gratitude is the focus of this session, encouraging students to cultivate a positive mindset. They explore the concept of gratitude and engage in activities to foster appreciation for the present moment.
7. Session 7 – Termination and Review: The final session serves as an opportunity for students to review their mindfulness journey throughout the program. They reflect on their progress and discuss how they plan to incorporate mindfulness into their daily lives moving forward.

Bringing “Mindfully Me” to Your School

Implementing “Mindfully Me” in your middle school can positively impact your students’ well-being and academic success. This curriculum not only supports students in developing mindfulness skills but also enhances your school’s commitment to promoting social and emotional learning. Whether used as a complete program or through individual sessions tailored to specific needs, “Mindfully Me” offers a flexible, effective way to introduce mindfulness into your counseling repertoire.

In our roles as school counselors, we have the privilege and responsibility to guide our students toward a path of self-discovery and growth. “Mindfully Me” represents an exciting opportunity to do just that, providing a structured yet flexible framework for empowering students with the mindfulness skills essential for navigating adolescence and beyond. Let’s embrace this resource and witness the transformative power of mindfulness in our students’ lives.

What School Counselors are Saying…

As we wrap up our exploration of the “Mindfully Me” curriculum, you might be thinking, “This all sounds fantastic, but is it really as effective as it seems?” Let me share some feedback from educators and counselors who have implemented this curriculum in their schools.

One counselor shared, “I truly LOVE your resources. My WHOLE DISTRICT uses them for small groups all the time, and they are so easy to prep and get ready for. You are our go-to for small group curriculums and counseling resources. I also love that they come with notes to send home for families to know what we learned about that day. The activities are low prep, interactive, engaging, and hands-on – MY STUDENTS LOVE THEM! I actually don’t know which of the groups I love more as they are all so AMAZING! Highly Recommend!” – MS

Another enthusiastic user stated, “Jam-packed with so much content! This has been thoughtfully put together, so easy to use and implement (it’s actually fun for me too!) and the pre and post data that I have derived from this curriculum is OUTSTANDING! So, it definitely works! My district is incredibly impressed with the progress and outcomes of my students! So many fun activities, and I can use each week as a standalone session or together as Will be following your store so I can purchase every single curriculum you have!” – JB

Ready to Join the others?

These testimonials highlight the practicality, engagement, and transformative potential of “Mindfully Me.” The curriculum not only meets the needs of educators and counselors looking for effective resources but also captivates students, fostering significant growth in their social and emotional well-being.

If you’ve been searching for a comprehensive, ASCA-aligned mindfulness program that truly resonates with middle school students, “Mindfully Me” might just be the resource you’ve been waiting for. Join countless others in the education community who have seen firsthand the difference it can make.

Not a Middle School Counselor…

Don’t worry, All Therapy Resources has you covered. Small Counseling Group Curriculum “Mindfully Me” has also been developed for elementary and high school students. Click on the previews below to explore each of them.

Feeling Inspired? Got Questions?

Perhaps you’ve discovered a mindfulness resource that’s been transformative for the students that you support. Perhaps it’s even one of our resources from our Mindfulness Collection! We’re eager to hear your experiences and insights. Share your reflections and stories in the comments below – we are stronger when we support each other!