Practicing Kindness

Practicing anything helps us get good at it.

Schoeberlein reminds us that we need experiential learning.  And I buy that.

So most of Schoeberlein's suggestions really have to do with helping students do some learning for themselves - understanding themselves better, considering their own learning styles, and being more in synch with others.  This time the author's suggestions are about practicing some very simple kindness and reflecting on it.  This kind of approach helps not just in life but in learning, as well. 

The more we can help students experience their learning, the better.  Whether the topic is kindness or history content, it's not enough to just discuss concepts.  If students' experiences of success help motivate them, it's more likely to make a difference for them - and they'll learn more.

I am also reminded that different groups of students will interact with mindfulness practices in different ways, some of them with great skepticism or distaste.  And that's alright.  Maybe it's not for them.  Maybe focusing on some specific skills like listening, studying, or remembering is the best starting point for those students.

This is all about our shared experience of learning - and that happens together.  I need that feedback from students just as they need direction from me.  Learning and teaching is much more artful than formulaic.