Mindfulness for Kiwi Kids

EHF Fellow, Jase Te Patu, has developed a programme that helps Kiwi kids find balance and overcome difficult emotions. 

In recent years there has been a growing trend in mindfulness around the world. More people than ever are breaking out their yoga mats and joining meditation circles in search of a calmer, more well-balanced life. 

Building these new habits can be tough, but what if we were taught mindfulness practices as children? Studies have shown that mindfulness and meditation can help young people better adapt to stressful situations and become better problem solvers. 

That’s exactly the goal of EHF Fellow, Jase Te Patu, who has developed mindfulness criteria called ‘M3 Mindfulness for Children’ which he brings to schools across New Zealand. 

M3 infuses modern mindfulness techniques with Maori stories that teach tamariki important themes like honesty, respect, and caring for our communities. Jase hopes that this program will empower the next generation of Kiwis. 

Helping Kiwi kids be well 

Aotearoa New Zealand is a special place, admired around the world for its innovative companies, future-minded government, community mentality, and indigenous wisdom. 

But every country has its struggles and New Zealand is currently battling high levels of depression and suicide, particularly among children and teens with Māori communities over-represented. 

Since 2006, the use of antidepressant and anxiety medicine in children in New Zealand has increased by 80%. And the country’s suicide rates are particularly high per-capita, compared to much of the world. 

Jase wants to help kids cope with these issues by teaching them how to find balance and live in the present moment. To explain he uses the Māori house model of wellbeing - Te whare tapa wha. 

“There are four walls of a house, and when they're all balanced the house is solid and good. So when we pay equal attention to our physical, mental, emotional, and our social wellbeing in the holistic approach it helps us to lead a more fulfilling and meaningful life here on this earth.”

The Three M’s 

The M3 Mindfulness for Children programme uses Māori storytelling and movement to teach and primary school children simple mindfulness tools like breath and visualisation. 

These three elements, mindfulness, movement, and Māori storytelling make up the three M’s the programme is based on. 

Mindfulness teaches tamariki to gain a sense of presence through breathing techniques and visualisation. Each session works with a takeaway theme such as calmness, happiness, peace and gratitude.

When a student is focused on the present moment instead of the past or future, they are less likely to be overwhelmed by anxiety and can instead focus on the current problem. This enables them to make better decisions. 

Movement can help students achieve mindfulness, by calling attention to the body, which always resides in the current moment. 

Jase and his team take the strengthening and stretching elements of yoga to teach tamariki connection to body through storytelling.

Maori Storytelling is a unique and important part of the program. 

On one of Jase’s first visits to a school, he ​asked the students what their favourite Maori story was. Most of the children were Maori but they all answered Moana - not knowing any other stories. 

Jase is Maori, himself, and he was sad to know that Maori taiohi were not exposed to their ancestor’s narratives.  

“Our indigenous stories have such beautiful themes, like love and respect - taking care of each other, taking care of the earth.” 

So Jase built Maori stories into his curriculum to help keep them alive and to allow children from all backgrounds to feel a sense of belonging. 

The Impact 

The M3 programme has impacted nearly 10,000 children over the last 2 and a half years. Jase and his trainers have been to more than 200 pre- and primary schools throughout New Zealand.They also offer an online version of the programme that gives teachers videos to facilitate the exercises themselves. 

Many teachers have reached out to Jase to tell him how the programme has helped their students cope with their emotions and interact with each other in a more positive way. 

They also offer an online version of the programme that gives teachers videos to facilitate the exercises themselves. 

This is especially important in the face of our current global health crisis. COVID has brought a new level of stress and uncertainty to everyone - including young people. The need for mindfulness practices is more urgent than ever.  in the coming year as people cope with and recover from any traumatic impacts this disease has had. 

M3’s online platform means that their team can continue delivering well-being lessons to classrooms or home learning environments.

Well-being for everyone

Mental health challenges do not discriminate. They don't care how much money you've got in the bank, how old you are or where you’re from. Luckily there are tools we can all learn to help take back control of our minds and find balance within our lives. 

The M3 programme may have been designed for children but it speaks a truth we could all benefit from. Jase also runs adult yoga and meditation classes in his Wellington studio and uses the same basic principles in those scenarios. 

Ultimately, it’s Jase’s hope that we can all better connect with ourselves, each other and the planet in a way that’s healthy and fruitful. 

Get Involved

Learn more about M3 Mindfulness for Children and hire trainers to come to your school at www.m3mindfulnessforchildren.com