| Response to Intervention (RTI) is gaining ground. However, using RTI to assess the needs of students with behavioral problems is in its early stages. Teachers have limited tools at their disposal to use as Tier 1 strategies, such as classroom management strategies, or maybe a social skills curriculum taught once a week for 30 minutes. Research on mindfulness has determined that engaging in mindfulness activities decreases symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as increases self-regulation, self-awareness, and generally overall psychological well-being. Given the research on mindfulness practice in the clinical setting and emerging studies with children in both clinical and school settings, it appears that applying the practice as a less intensive strategy may prove beneficial in the classroom environment. This proposal lays out how mindfulness practice may be implemented as a Tier 1 strategy, including staff required, training, curriculum, materials needed, how to monitor student progress, and the steps to conduct a program evaluation to determine effectiveness. |
