How Mindfulness Art Initiatives Impact Educational Environments
By Tim Needles, Artist, Educator, and Author
Mindfulness and social-emotional learning initiatives in education have greatly impacted schools partially because of their ability to significantly enhance the school culture. I found this to be true in my own experience working in Smithtown Schools where I participated in a series of programs and then implemented aspects into my classes. I could see a noticeable difference it made in the classroom vibe and thought it would be great to share and grow the work that I labeled as the Gratitude Project. The key component of the project is an emphasis on gratitude, which fosters a positive mindset focused on affirmations rather than anxieties. After a class discussion and some interactive work on gratitude that aligns with the curriculum, we created works of art to remind ourselves what and who we were grateful to and kept them at our desks as a constant reminder.
The project is flexible as I have adapted it to fit different audiences and age groups, but the inception of the project generally involves integrating gratitude into creative assignments, such as printmaking or digital poster designs, where students express their thankfulness through words and symbols. The creation of gratitude-themed artwork not only positively impacts students but also, when shared within the school and broader community, magnifies this positivity. Expanding the project to involve the entire school, including all students and staff, during times of reflection such as November, before Thanksgiving, has been shown to enhance the overall school attitudes both socially and in school work. This inclusive approach also fosters a collective appreciation for the arts and the joy of creation.
The outreach of gratitude expressions was then extended into the community, including bringing the project to local nursing homes and beyond, facilitated by student organizations like our National Art Honor Society. Adapting the project to suit various groups and time constraints has allowed for diverse participation, from detailed series with advanced art students which was installed as an art show to brief activities with younger classes which were displayed in the hallways.
The COVID pandemic necessitated a shift towards digital tools, which became instrumental in continuing the Gratitude Project during a critical period for social-emotional learning. Platforms like Adobe Express enabled the creation of digital gratitude posters, allowing for personalization and creative expression. These digital creations are easily customizable and shareable and this iteration contributed to spreading the message of gratitude even further, leveraging social media’s expansive reach.
The evolution of the project through various media has consistently centered on student gratitude as it has grown in depth and complexity, with audio, video, and multi-media elements incorporated and shared. The advancement of digital educational technology tools has facilitated the incorporation of elements like animation, enhancing the interactive experience. Pairing the project with applications like the not-for-profit StoryCorps Great Thanksgiving Listen and The Moth storytelling series has allowed for meaningful exchanges of gratitude, enriching the initiative with personal narratives and building empathy.
In all its forms, the Gratitude Project remains a transformative experience. Maintaining a tangible reminder of gratitude, such as a printed card or digital image, is a constant anchor for positivity and grounding for both students and educators. This practice has been instrumental in maintaining a positive and focused atmosphere in educational environments, particularly in the post-pandemic landscape.
Tim Needles is an artist, educator, performer, and author of STEAM Power: Infusing Art Into Your STEM Curriculum from ISTE. He is a 2 time TEDx Talk speaker, a technology integration specialist, and teaches art, film, and emerging media at Smithtown School District and Five Towns College. His work has been featured on NPR, in the New York Times, Columbus Museum of Art, Norman Rockwell Museum, Alexandria Museum of Art, Katonah Museum of Art, and Cape Cod Museum of Art. He’s the recipient of the ISTE Making IT Happen award as well as the ISTE PLN’s Technology in Action Award and Creativity Award, NAEA’s Eastern Region Art Educator Award & ArtEdTech Outstanding Teaching Award, and The Rauschenberg Power of Art Award. He’s also a board member of NYSCATE and NYSATA, an ISTE Community leader, a NASA Solar System Ambassador, a National Geographic Certified Teacher, and a teacher leader in the CAN Connected Arts Network PLC.
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