Intentional Stillness
Developed with the Harry Kane Foundation and Kate Kane, these Year 7 stillness lessons give students practical tools to manage an always-on world — at exactly the age their brains need it most. Grounded in neuroscience and expert practice, students explore three techniques: bodily techniques; breathing, muscle relaxation; social techniques being present in their connections with others, and distraction techniques using focused, cognitive attention to still an overwhelmed mind. Science-backed, immediately useful, and built for real life. Part of the Bounce Forward Healthy Minds suite — a developmental, evidence-based programme built to grow with your students.
Lessons
4 lessons in this module.
Introduction to Intentional Stillness
This is the introductory lesson of the Intentional Stillness module. It establishes what "intentional stillness" means — paying deliberate, purposeful attention to the present moment — and introduces the three types of intentional stillness practice: Bodily, Connection, and Cognitive.
Intentional Stillness & Anxiety
This lesson explores the link between intentional stillness and managing anxiety. Students learn about the brain's anxiety response (the amygdala), use the metaphor of a stress/anxiety bucket to understand what fills and empties their personal anxiety, and practise three forms of intentional stillness.
Intentional Stillness & Sleep
This lesson explores the specific link between intentional stillness and sleep quality. Students learn why sleep is especially important for teenagers, discuss recommended sleep hours and the consequences of sleep deprivation, and practise intentional stillness techniques designed to prepare the mind and body for rest.
Connecting to Others
The final lesson of the Intentional Stillness module explores the deep link between human connection and mental health. Students learn about the social brain (specifically the insula) and how our connections with others influence our feelings and behaviours.