3 things to keep in mind when teaching teenagers mindfulness

From 2019 to 2021 I got to spearhead bringing mindfulness to tens of thousands of teenagers, teachers and schools across the globe through IBM. Don't believe me. Just look up Mindfulness and P-TECH on the web. Yup. 👍 That was me.... and in this piece and the one that will follow I will share some knowledge and some wisdom with you all.

So, what to keep in mind:

1. Treat them like adults 🧑 👨 👩 👴 👵

I know they are not adults, and brains need time to develop. However, what took us decades to discover, a teenager can now discover in a matter of days on their smart phone. Now, of course, you need to speak their language, you need to know their interests (yes, this changes from USA to Singapore, Brazil to Poland), you need to adapt and adjust to the tone of the school, the vibe of the group. But if you come into the classroom (whether online or in person) thinking you are an adult and they are teens and you are somehow better than them, they will sense it quicker than their conscious brain can pick it up.

In other words, treat them with respect, treat them as equal human beings (yes, they think, and feel, and sense, they suffer, they love and they have trouble paying attention), treat them with compassion, with understanding and I promise you will connect with them better.

2. Lead with Presence 💚

There is nothing scarier than speaking to a crowd, well maybe speaking to a crowd of teenagers 😦. Not all you say will land, not all your jokes will be funny, not all your practices will resonate with them. They may cuss, they may scream, they make jokes, they can't stay still. No one may turn on their cameras, no one may respond to your question. 🙋♀️ 🙋♂️. To any veteran mindfulness teacher, this rattles the nerves and sends trains of thoughts racing through the mind.

This is why it is so important to lead with presence. To be in the moment, to lead from the moment. To be embodied, to practice 50/50, to use your anchors, to keep your cool and equanimity. Not only will this support you, it will actually support the teens. It will show them what it means to be mindful, without even having to explain it. You'd be surprised how many students (and teachers, even a principle or two) I spoke with after classes, asking me how I managed that? Lead with presence I say.

3. Have Fun 🤩

One of my favorite mindfulness definitions is, "playing attention on purpose." Yes, playing attention not paying attention. Adults often take life too seriously and forget to have fun. Teenagers are at that crossing between fun and serious life. It's true we need to be serious, and we sometimes need to be serious with the teenagers, however, I learned that fun makes it easier for you, more chill for the teens and serves as a great reminder to the teachers.

Fun also supports you in getting out of your head and coming back to the body, back to this moment. Teenagers also have a lot energy and if you don't add some games, some movements, some fun (videos, jokes, pictures) it will be more difficult to get them to be still. Now, I know the intention is not to be still with mindfulness but it does feel pleasant when you get a classroom of some of the most difficult students to sit in silence and listen to their bodies for 5 mins.

Thanks for reading. Hope this was helpful and feel free to connect if you want to learn more. Happy to support.