Currently delivered in all K-5 elementary schools in the Beach Cities
MindUP is an evidence-based program grounded in neuroscience, mindful awareness, positive psychology and social-emotional learning. MindUP consists of 15 lessons that are tailored to a child’s age group and developmental level. Delivered by a teacher in the classroom, MindUP provides an immersive discovery experience and daily practices to shift a child’s perspective, drive positive behavior and improve learning and scholastic performance.
MindUP at Home
To go along with distance learning due to COVID-19, MindUP lessons have been converted into video format. These videos are tailored to fit two age groups: Grades TK- 2nd and Grades 3rd-5th. Accompanying handouts are included with each lesson plan.
Lesson 1: How Our Brains Work
Video Lesson (Grades K-2)
Parent Handout (Grades K-2)
Student Handout (Grades K-2)
Video Lesson (Grades 3-5)
Parent Handout (Grades 3-5)
Student Handout (Grades 3-5)
Lesson 2: Mindful Awareness
Video Lesson (Grades K-2)
Parent Handout (Grades K-2)
Student Handout (Grades K-2)
Video Lesson (Grades 3-5)
Parent Handout (Grades 3-5)
Student Handout (Grades 3-5)
Lesson 3: Focused Awareness
Video Lesson (Grades K-2)
Parent Handout (Grades K-2)
Student Handout (Grades K-2)
Video Lesson (Grades 3-5)
Parent Handout (Grades 3-5)
Student Handout (Grades 3-5)
Lesson 4: Mindful Listening
Video Lesson (Grades K-2)
Parent Handout (Grades K-2)
Student Handout (Grades K-2)
Video Lesson (Grades 3-5)
Parent Handout (Grades 3-5)
Student Handout (Grades 3-5)
Lesson 5: Mindful Seeing
Video Lesson (Grades K-2)
Parent Handout (Grades K-2)
Student Handout (Grades K-2)
Video Lesson (Grades 3-5)
Parent Handout (Grades 3-5)
Student Handout (Grades 3-5)
Lesson 6: Mindful Smelling
Video Lesson (Grades K-2)
Parent Handout (Grades K-2)
Student Handout (Grades K-2)
Video Lesson (Grades 3-5)
Parent Handout (Grades 3-5)
Student Handout (Grades 3-5)
Lesson 7: Mindful Eating
Video Lesson (Grades K-2)
Parent Handout (Grades K-2)
Student Handout (Grades K-2)
Video Lesson (Grades 3-5)
Parent Handout (Grades 3-5)
Student Handout (Grades 3-5)
Lesson 8: Mindful Movement Part 1
Video Lesson (Grades K-2)
Parent Handout (Grades K-2)
Student Handout (Grades K-2)
Video Lesson (Grades 3-5)
Parent Handout (Grades 3-5)
Student Handout (Grades 3-5)
Lesson 9: Mindful Movement Part 2
Video Lesson (Grades K-2)
Parent Handout (Grades K-2)
Student Handout (Grades K-2)
Video Lesson (Grades 3-5)
Parent Handout (Grades 3-5)
Student Handout (Grades 3-5)
Lesson 10: Perspective Taking
Video Lesson (Grades K-2)
Parent Handout (Grades K-2)
Student Handout (Grades K-2)
Video Lesson (Grades 3-5)
Parent Handout (Grades 3-5)
Student Handout (Grades 3-5)
Lesson 11: Choosing Optimisim
Video Lesson (Grades K-2)
Parent Handout (Grades K-2)
Student Handout (Grades K-2)
Video Lesson (Grades 3-5)
Parent Handout (Grades 3-5)
Student Handout (Grades 3-5)
Lesson 12: Appreciating Happy Experiences
Video Lesson (Grades K-2)
Parent Handout (Grades K-2)
Student Handout (Grades K-2)
Video Lesson (Grades 3-5)
Parent Handout (Grades 3-5)
Student Handout (Grades 3-5)
Lesson 13: Expressing Gratitude
Video Lesson (Grades K-2)
Parent Handout (Grades K-2)
Student Handout (Grades K-2)
Video Lesson (Grades 3-5)
Parent Handout (Grades 3-5)
Student Handout (Grades 3-5)
Lesson 14: Performing Acts of Kindness
Video Lesson (Grades K-2)
Parent Handout (Grades K-2)
Student Handout (Grades K-2)
Video Lesson (Grades 3-5)
Parent Handout (Grades 3-5)
Student Handout (Grades 3-5)
Lesson 15: Taking Mindful Action in the World
Video Lesson (Grades K-2)
Parent Handout (Grades K-2)
Student Handout (Grades K-2)
Video Lesson (Grades 3-5)
Parent Handout (Grades 3-5)
Student Handout (Grades 3-5)
The Four MindUP Pillars
Following are additional at-home activities within the four MindUP pillars:
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Neuroscience |
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Mindful Awareness |
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Positive Psychology |
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Social-Emotional Learning |
General Mindfulness Tips for Parents
One of the best ways to teach our children to be mindful is to embody mindfulness ourselves.
- Incorporate your own brain breaks three times a day to improve focus, memory and stay calm under stress.
- Think affirmations to yourself like “May I be happy” and “May I be strong.”
- If you need some guidance in mindful breathing, search for various mindfulness apps to follow along with on your phone.
- If you find yourself getting caught up in your emotions or that of others, practice the R.A.I.N. exercise. Recognize what is happening in a calm, accepting manner. Accept life as it is. Investigate how it is making you feel. Non-identification; realize these feelings are fleeting and don’t define who you are.
Mindful parenting can improve parent-child relationships and reduce stress for both the parent and child.
- Limit your phone use when you’re with your child.
- Spend time reading, creating art and talking with your child, rather than watching TV.
- If you’re upset, S.T.O.P. Stop. Take a breath. Observe. Proceed.
- Teach and practice forgiveness. It’s important to note and address a problem, but it is also important to realize it is temporary and will pass.
MindUP Booster Lessons
In 2018, we piloted a program which included booster lessons to supplement the MindUP lessons taught in the classroom. The booster lesson plans and accompanying handouts are found below and can be used to complement your at-home MindUP activities.
2019-2020: Lesson Plans & Handouts (prepared for in-class use)
Lesson A: Mindful Observation (Grades TK-1)
Lesson A: Mindful Observation (Grades 2-3)
Lesson A: Mindful Observation (Grades 4-5)
Lesson B: Mindful Listening (Grades TK–1)
Lesson B: Mindful Listening (Grades 2–3)
Lesson B: Mindful Listening (Grades 4–5)
Lesson C: Expressing Gratitude (Grades TK-1)
Lesson C: Handout: Expressing Gratitude (Grades TK–1)
Lesson C: Expressing Gratitude (Grades 2–3)
Lesson C: Handout: Mindful Drawing Handout (Grades 2–3)
Lesson C: Positive Vibes Meditation (Grades 4–5)
Lesson C: Handout Kindness Reflection Handout (Grades 4–5)
Lesson Videos & Handouts (prepared for at-home use)
Lesson A
Lesson A: Mindful Observation Video Lesson (Grades TK-1)
Lesson A: Mindful Observation Parent Handout (Grades TK-1)
Lesson A: Mindful Observation Video Lesson Part 1 (Grades 2-3)
Lesson A: Mindful Observation Video Lesson Part 2 (Grades 2-3)
Lesson A: Mindful Observation Parent Handout (Grades 2-3)
Lesson A: Mindful Observation Student Handout (Grades 2-3)
Lesson A: Mindful Observation Video Lesson Part 1 (Grades 4-5)
Lesson A: Mindful Observation Video Lesson Part 2 (Grades 4-5)
Lesson A: Mindful Observation Parent Handout (Grades 4-5)
Lesson A: Mindful Observation Student Handout (Grades 4-5)
Lesson B
Lesson B: Mindfuness Listening Video Lesson (Grades TK-1)
Lesson B: Mindfulness Listening Parent Handout (Grades TK-1)
Lesson B: Mindfulness Listening Student Handout (Grades TK-1)
Lesson B: Mindful Listening Video Lesson (Grades 2-3)
Lesson B: Mindful Listening Parent Handout (Grades 2-3)
Lesson B: Mindful Listening Student Handout (Grades 2-3)
Lesson B: Mindful Listening Video Lesson (Grades 4-5)
Lesson B: Mindful Listening Parent Handout (Grades 4-5)
Lesson B: Mindful Listening Student Handout (Grades 4-5)
Lesson C
Lesson C: Expressing Gratitude Video Lesson (Grades TK-1)
Lesson C: Expressing Gratitude Parent Handout (Grades TK-1)
Lesson C: Expressing Gratitude Student Handout (Grades TK-1)
Lesson C: Expressing Gratitude Video Lesson (Grades 2-3)
Lesson C: Expressing Gratitude Parent Handout (Grades 2-3)
Lesson C: Expressing Gratitude Student Handout (Grades 2-3)
Lesson C: Positive Vibes Meditation Video Lesson (Grades 4-5)
Lesson C: Positive Vibes Meditation Parent Handout (Grades 4-5)
Lesson C: Positive Vibes Meditation Student Handout (Grades 4-5)
2018- 2019: Booster Lesson Plans (prepared for in-class use)
Lesson 1: Turning on our Mindful Bodies (Grades K–2)
Lesson 1: Turning on our Mindful Bodies (Grades 3–5)
Lesson 2: Mindful Movement (Grades K–2)
Lesson 2: Mindful Movement (Grades 3–5)
Lesson 3: Mindful Senses (Grades K-2)
Lesson 3: Mindful Senses (Grades 3-5)
Lesson 4: All About Attitude (Grades K-2)
Lesson 4: All About Attitude (Grades 3-5)
Lesson 5: Generating Gratitude (Grades K–5)
Lesson 5: I am Grateful for...
Additional Resources
Websites
- South Bay Families Connected, Mindful Parenting
- Sesame Street Toolkits
- Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley
- Child Mind Institute, Mindfulness
- UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center
Videos
- “Developing a Growth Mindset” by Carol Dweck
- “Teaching the ABCs of Attention, Balance and Compassion” by Susan Kaiser Greenland
- “Just Breathe” by Julie Bayer Salzman and Josh Salzman
Articles
- “Mindfulness for Children” by David Gelles
- “Is mindfulness meditation good for kids? Here’s what the science actually says.” By Brian Resnick
- “13 Things Mentally Strong Parents Don’t Do” by Amy Morin
For more information, please contact:
Tami Kachel, MPH
School Health Programs Coordinator
tami.kachel@bchd.org