More U.S. schools are taking breaks for meditationâ teachers say it helps studentsâ mental health
By Sharon Johnson The Associated Press The third-grade students at Roberta T. Smith Elementary School had only a few days until summer vacation, and an hour until lunch, but there was no struggle to focus as they filed into the classroom. They were ready for one of their favorite parts of the day. The children closed their eyes and traced their thumbs from their foreheads to their hearts as a pre-recorded voice led them through an exercise called the shark fin, part of the classroomâs regular meditation routine. âListen to the chimes,â said the teacher, Kim Franklin. âRemember to breathe.â