Breathing calms me down. It calms and relaxes my energy.

- Christopher, Grade 8

Teachers Forum| February '10

Three Ways Michelle Obama's Let's Move! Program Parallel Mindful Practices' Wellness Initiatives

Q "Realistically, will the first lady Michelle Obama’s new Let’s Move! program or the President’s new violence prevention initiative have substantial effects on wellness or social-emotional education?" - Asked by a conference attendee at the AASA conference in Phoenix

A One of my favorite Political Science professors in college used to say that social change is difficult the measure because it is not tangible, or concrete. But, and most importantly, it raises awareness. And that, in and of itself, is worth the effort.

Bringing wellness education to your school site can often feel like a social change movement, because it is deeply rooted in school culture and takes a lot of work. Unless we are measuring BMI each month or monitoring the number of Flaming Hot Cheetos sold in the cafeteria it might be difficult for some to say, “Yay, here is proof! All this wellness stuff is making a difference.”

But, I always encourage educators to look at the language their staff, students and parents are using around wellness along with student behavioral records and achievement levels. Change in language occurs over time and comes from education, awareness and perseverance. And, it often takes patience before we can measure “substantial effects”

Three Parallels between Let's Move & Mindful Practices Wellness Initiatives

I commend the First Lady and the President for tackling student wellness and social-emotional issues head on. I am thrilled that in these tough economic times wellness and whole child education is being made a priority. The First Lady's platform shares three of Mindful Practices core beliefs and I hope to see these initiatives equip students from across globe with wellness techniques.

Stress, Hunger and Peer Violence Interfere with Student Achievement

As we all intuitively know a child that is stressed, hungry, tired and the victim of peer violence is not going to learn as well as a child that is relaxed, feed, rested and emotionally stable. Wellness education is that simple. But, it takes a commitment to awareness and the patience to implement quality programming with integrity to get results.

I applaud the Obamas for taking some vital first steps. I hope it brings much needed awareness and conversations to our schools. Change needs attention and consistent nurturing to stick. So, let us ride this social change movement together.

Check Out These Student Wellness Links:

- Question Answered By: Carla Tantillo, founder of Mindful Practices

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