When you wouldn’t quit talking in class, what did your teachers do? Did they send you out into the hallway and assign you a detention? What about your friend who just couldn’t help but talk back to the teacher? Did they get a week’s worth of after-school detention to be served three weeks from now? And how effective were those punishments for you? One school is challenging the way we approach behavioral problems in school by introducing meditation to the kids. And their approach is paying off.

alternative to detention — Photo: The Holistic Life Foundation

Robert W. Coleman Elementary School in Baltimore sends their disruptive students to the “Mindful Moment Room,” a comfortable room filled with pillows, simple decorations and lamps. The environment aids in helping the students to center themselves and get back to a calm state of mind. They’re encouraged to talk about what happened, practice breathing and meditate. And in case you don’t think these methods pay off, there have been zero suspensions at Robert W. Coleman since last year.

The Holistic Life Foundation, a nonprofit in the area, helped to create the Mindful Moment Room, as well as an after-school program called Holistic Me that teaches children yoga and other mindful exercises. In addition to these self-care practices, they also serve as mentors, teach them about the importance of the environment and help them with school.

Although these alternative methods are drastically different from what most schools practice, they teach kids how to check in with themselves and promote peace and positive thinking rather than traditional negative approaches. Holistic Me promotes a balanced life for the children involved, and that’s awesome. The lessons kids learn through programs like this can be taken with them throughout their lives and shared with others. It’s amazing how a small act of understanding and positivity can impact the world.

What do you think of this alternative approach to discipline? Let us know in the comments below!

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robert w. coleman elementary school

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