Intentional Stillness for Primary
Intentional Stillness - Curated with Kate Kane and experts Practical, exploratory and genuinely enjoyable to deliver, the nine lessons give children space to try a range of bodily, connection and cognitive techniques, anchoring attention to the breath, being fully present with others, and using focused thinking to settle a busy mind. Children then reflect on how they might use these tools in their own lives to nurture their mental health. Paying attention to the present moment improves mental health, increases flourishing and raises life satisfaction.
These aren't abstract ideas they're skills. Like all skills, they can be taught, practised and grown. The earlier children discover them, the more naturally they reach for them when life gets hard. Met where they are. Built for who they're becoming.
Lessons
9 lessons in this module.
What is Intentional Stillness Primary
The introductory lesson for the Intentional Stillness curriculum explores the concept of stillness as a deliberate, purposeful practice rather than simply the absence of activity. Students discover why intentional stillness matters in today's fast-paced, always-on world and are introduced to foundational stillnessconcepts.
The Brain and Intentional Stillness Primary
Students explore the neuroscience behind the actions for stillness. This lesson explains how intentional stillness affects the brain — from reducing stress hormone levels to strengthening neural pathways associated with focus, emotional regulation, and wellbeing — giving students a scientific foundation for the practice.
Extending Intentional Stillness Primary
Building on the foundational practices, this lesson helps students develop and deepen their stillness practice. Students explore a range of techniques and learn how to extend moments of stillness throughout their day, making it a sustainable and integrated part of their routine.
Using Intentional Stillness to Deal with Anxiety Primary
This lesson applies intentional stillness specifically to anxiety management. Students learn how anxiety manifests in the body and mind, and how stillness practices can be used as an immediate and longer-term tool for reducing anxiety and building emotional resilience.
Intentional Stillness: Understanding My Stress Bucket Primary
Using the 'stress bucket' metaphor, students visualise how stress accumulates and how different coping strategies — including intentional stillness — can help to manage and drain their bucket before it overflows. This lesson makes abstract stress concepts concrete and actionable.
Using Intentional Stillness to Aid Sleep Primary
Students explore the connection between stillness, relaxation, and sleep quality. This lesson provides evidence-based strategies for using intentional stillness to improve sleep hygiene, helping students understand why good sleep is fundamental to mental health and how to create better pre-sleep routines.
Intentional Stillness: Exploring Sleep Routines Primary
Extending the sleep theme, this lesson dives deeper into the science and practice of healthy sleep routines. Students audit their current sleep habits, learn about circadian rhythms, and develop concrete plans for improving their sleep through intentional stillness and better sleep hygiene.
Intentional Stillness: Connecting to Others Primary
This lesson explores the social dimension of wellbeing, examining how our connections with others affect our mental health and how intentional stillness can improve the quality of our relationships. Students discover how being truly present transforms interactions and deepens connection.
Intentional Stillness: The Social Brain & Gratitude Primary
The final lesson of the Intentional Stillness series brings together the social and neurological themes of the programme. Students explore the neuroscience of gratitude, learning how practising gratitude activates positive brain circuits and enhances social bonds — leaving them with a powerful, evidence-based tool for lasting wellbeing.