THE CHURCH of England in Thames Valley has launched its first interactive contemplation and meditation toolkit for school pupils and teachers.
The Space Makers Contemplative Toolkit was developed in response to the growing mental health crisis among young people as a way of encouraging a time of daily reflection away from society.
The Children’s Society recently reported children are becoming more unhappy with 12% of children described as having low wellbeing and a quarter of a million struggling with their mental health due to the pandemic.
Right Reverend Dr Steven Croft, Bishop of Oxford, is pleased they have created a practical and easy way to use the toolkit to support pupils.
“All children and young people should flourish mutually as God intended, know that they are deeply loved, and have the opportunity to learn spiritual practice in a familiar and comfortable environment,” he said.
“It is our hope that schools across the Diocese will adopt regular contemplation practice and encourage young people to develop these healthy habits for the future to help them find peace, hope and fulfilment in life.”
Pilots of the toolkit at several schools in the Diocese have shown that including a short period of self-reflection into daily school life has a good effect on students’ mental health.
Reverend Charlie Kerr, school chaplaincy adviser, Diocese of Oxford added that teaching pupils to understand mental health from a young age is “vitally important”.
He said: “Providing space and time for contemplation and self-reflection is just one of the many ways we can nurture the next generation.”
Pupils can run the sessions themselves and share reflections with their peers.
Ailsa Tooling, Year 6 teacher at Goring CE Primary School, shared how Space Makers helps her students.
“When the whole of education sometimes seems to be about targets and results and pressure, Space Makers gives students the chance just to be, rather than do,” she said.
“I feel that the children leaving Goring CE Primary school, through this experience, are more whole.
“We’ve given them techniques they can use for life and these children are better prepared for what’s coming next.”
Each pack contains a teacher’s booklet, A4 classroom cards with detailed practice exercises, a classroom poster and sticker sheets.
