Instead Of Punishing Kids, A School In Baltimore Replaced Detention With Meditation
A Baltimore school replaced detention with meditation as a measure to help kids calm down and reflect upon their misbehaviour.
Instead of sending the schoolchildren off to the Principal's office or throwing them out of class, Robert W. Coleman Elementary School introduced meditation classes that actually resulted in a positive impact on the kids.
If any kid engages in disruptive behaviour, he or she is sent off to what the school calls the Mindful Moment Room - a space which has no windows but comes with plush purple windows, lamps, and decorations. Students are asked to engage in meditation or breathing exercises to help them reflect upon their mistakes and calm themselves down.
Scientifically, meditation has proven to be useful in controlling disruptive emotions and at the same time, aiding in improving memory.
The school, in partnership with a local NGO Holistic Life Foundation, also encourages its students to enroll for after-school program 'Holistic Me' to practice yoga and other mindfulness exercises.
This practice has been adopted by several other schools as well where kids also learn about the environment and help their community to keep it clean and build gardens.