Course

The Basics of Mindfulness Mini-Course

Time limit: 100 days

Full course description

Course Curriculum

In this brief course, you will have the opportunity to experience mindfulness practices, learn more about the latest mindfulness research, and consider how you might share mindfulness practices with your students and colleagues.

We also offer mini-courses on the Basics of Social-Emotional Learning and the Basics of Character Education. You can enroll in all three at once with our Basics Bundle.

Course components include (1.5 hours):

  • Mindfulness Basics
  • Historical and Cultural Influences
  • Mindfulness Research
  • Teaching Tips and Practices
  • Opportunities and Challenges in the Field

Course Logistics

Course Cost

Registration for the Basics of Mindfulness Mini-Course is $49. 

The Greater Good Science Center is funded entirely by donations and grants—we do not receive any financial support from the University of California, Berkeley. However, we are able to offer many of our GGSC resources for free because we charge for some of our courses. We do our best to make our courses and events affordable for everyone, but realize that “affordable” can mean vastly different things depending on individual or geographic circumstances.

If the cost of this mini-course is prohibitive due to your personal circumstances, you can use the discount code MINIDISC at checkout to receive $20 off the cost of the course. 

If you would like to enroll all of the educators (or a large number of educators) from your school, please reach out to us at ggsceducation@berkeley.edu to discuss additional payment options.

Who Should Take This Course?

  • Pre-K through 12 classroom teachers, paraeducators, and out-of-school-time providers
  • Pre-K-12 school mental health professionals and counselors
  • Pre-K-12 school and district-level administrators
  • Pre-K-12 teacher and administrator educators
  • Other higher education lecturers or professors are welcome to register, but please be aware that the course is geared primarily towards Pre-K-12 educators

Course Features

  • Pre-recorded videos featuring talks and practices.
  • Discussion guide for participants who want to engage in group learning (e.g., a school cohort)
  • An introduction to over 200 free research-informed SEL practices (edited) 
  • Downloadable journal pages to capture your reflections, a-ha moments, and great ideas

Course Outcomes

Participants will:

  • Learn research-informed and trauma-sensitive facilitation strategies
  • Experience and discover a range of practices for reducing stress and connecting with your students and colleagues
  • Understand the attention skills we use when we engage in different types of mindfulness practices
  • Consider the historical and cultural influences on mindfulness practice and how mindfulness can play a role in reducing bias and promoting belonging in school
  • Review the latest research on mindfulness benefits to students of all ages
  • Explore challenges and opportunities in the field

Course Instructor

Amy L. Eva, Ph.D., is the GGSC’s associate education director. Read more about Amy.

Mindfulness is good for students and staff

Students who practice mindfulness report a greater sense of optimism and well-being, and a reduction in depression, anxiety, stress, and anger. They also benefit academically. Educators who practice mindfulness demonstrate an increase in their well-being and self-compassion as well as positive emotions. A regular mindfulness practice may also improve teachers’ relationships with students and augment their sense of efficacy in the classroom. 

Cancellation Policy

Course users can cancel their enrollment or ask for a refund up to 14 days after the payment or 14 days after the course starts (whichever comes later). In order to qualify for a refund, users must not have completed more than 25% of the course modules or content. To cancel course enrollment, please contact ggsceducation@berkeley.edu. Qualified refund requests may take up to 30 days to process.

Sign up for this course today!