CREATING A WISER WORLD
ONE MIND AT A TIME
TEACHING MINDFULNESS TO CHILDREN (TMTC) PROGRAM
Six weekends held January to June 2023
via Zoom Video Conference
Now Accepting Applications for 2023
Learn to cultivate an environment where children can build resilience and reduce stress, while promoting stronger relationships through better communication, patience, self-compassion and kindness!
This six-month intensive training provides educators, therapists, counselors and other youth professionals including parents, with the skills, knowledge and experience necessary to effectively teach mindfulness and compassion techniques to children aged 5-17. The Teaching Mindfulness to Children (TMTC) Program was created by IDP Board Member and child psychologist Heidi Marben, PsyD.
Participants begin by establishing their own personal practice, creating a foundation from which they can confidently offer children mindfulness techniques.
This program includes:
-
Rigorous personal mindfulness instruction and practice, including an exploration of texts and techniques from different traditions and teachers
-
An understanding of self-compassion and equanimity to prevent teacher burnout and discouragement
-
Experiential learning and practice of age-appropriate mindfulness techniques
-
Ways to create a mindful classroom and home environment
-
Discussion of research on mindfulness and compassion and child development
-
Detailed instruction and assistance in designing a curriculum relevant to your needs and the needs of your program/situation
-
A copy of Dr. Marben’s Mindfulness Curriculum for Lower School, which contains teaching guidelines and detailed lesson plans for children
-
55 hours of class time over six months
-
Peer group support
“I highly recommended this to people who are interested in deepening their own mindfulness practices and expanding this pedagogy to the youth in their communities.”
— Andrea, Middle School Art Teacher
REQUIREMENTS AND REGISTRATION
-
Experience working with children is recommended.
-
A commitment to establishing a daily mindfulness meditation practice. The foundation for creating a mindful environment for children is your own personal practice.
-
Weekly participation with a study group.
-
Attendance at all weekends and study group meetings is strongly recommended. If you have concerns about your ability to participate, please email us to discuss.
-
Students must attend at least five weekends to receive a certificate.
-
Completed application, extended to December 23th, 2022.
-
Deposit of $500 upon submitting application to confirm your spot.
-
Balance paid by April 1st, 2023.
In order to ensure applicants’ suitability for this program, we may contact and interview an applicant by phone or through other means in order to obtain additional information required to support your application. If an applicant is not accepted at this time, we will refund any payments made.
Tuition
This program is offered on a sliding fee scale. Please select the appropriate rate to enable IDP to offer this training to as many participants as possible. Scroll below for scholarship opportunities. Space is limited. Please register early to save your seat.
-
Supported $1600: this is a discounted rate offered for students, public school teachers, and others who have financial need and are unable to pay full tuition
-
Full $2000: this is the basic cost of the program, which IDP offers at the lowest cost available so we can offer this program to as many people as possible
-
Patron $2400: suggested for those who can pay the full cost of this program, and are able to help support others to participate and share these practices with the world
Payment and Refund Policies
-
Upon acceptance, participants must submit a non-refundable deposit of 50% of the program tuition. The remaining 50% of the program tuition must be received by April 1st, 2023.
-
Because we can accept only a limited number of applications, we cannot offer refunds.
-
Payment plans can be arranged for the Full or Patron Tuition rates only. Contact us if you’re interested in arranging a payment plan.
Scholarships
We offer limited financial aid as available. To be considered for discounted tuition you may apply for a PoC scholarship or a Work-Study position on the application.
“The people I met in this program were life-changing and I am so grateful to have shared this experience with all of them.”
— Susan, 4th Grade Teacher
THE PROGRAM
Six weekends held January to June 2023
Saturdays 10am to 5pm (EST)
Sundays 10am to 1pm (EST)
-
Training Weekend 1, January 7-8, 2023: Establishing Your Foundation
-
Training Weekend 2, February 4-5, 2023: Cultivating Self-Compassion
-
Training Weekend 3, March 4-5, 2023: Teaching Mindfulness to Children
-
Training Weekend 4, April 15-16, 2023: Teaching Kids to be Kind
-
Training Weekend 5, May 6-7, 2023: Working with Adolescents and More
-
Training Weekend 6, June 3-4, 2023: Dealing with Difficulties and Final Presentation
Lead Teachers
Assistant Teachers
Khary "KJ" Green (he/him) loves sharing his passion for the arts with others. He started his training in the arts at the age of 13 years old. He has performed in Paris, London, Egypt, Euro-Disney, and Norwegian Cruise Line to name a few. Recently, Khary graduated from Lesley University, studying Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Dance/Movement Therapy. As well as a 2022 graduate of IDP-TMTC. His experiences include working as an EMT, a residential counselor who worked with kids who had brain injuries. As well as teaching dance classes, workshops, and choreographing musicals. Khary had the pleasure of interning at Camp Erin Boston, HeartPlay, Academy of Physical and Social Development and at the Jeremiah E. Burke Highschool in Dorchester, MA. Where he learned how to support people through the grieving process. His favorite mindfulness activities include honoring the pause and mindful emotion themes. Khary firmly believes we all can be heroes without the capes!
Gala Narezo (she/her) is a mother, artist, educator, activist and meditation instructor. She has meditated for more than thirty years and which has been the one thing that has consistently helped her feel healthy and productive throughout her life. Gala has studied meditation and breathwork from the perspective of Taosim, Buddhism, QiGong, Chinese martial arts (Xing Yi & Pa Kua), Yoga, Pranayama and more. She is continually looking for ways to incorporate breathwork, meditation and reflective practices into everyday life. Gala recently finished her masters degree in art education where her focus was on using mindfulness to expand educational frameworks and offerings. She is also writing a book of meditation, art and reflective practices for families and educators. Much of her teaching is based in Tibetan Buddhist traditions as well as Mexican indigenous practices and circle practices. "I have learned from many teachers who I am deeply grateful to and for," says Gala. Visit galanarezo.net to learn more.
Evy Fung (she/her) has been fascinated with spirituality and wellness since she was a teenager. After a difficult time in her life, she began meditating in 2010 and in 2018 received certification as a meditation teacher. Having mixed Caribbean ancestry, she is dedicated to inspiring more representation of BIPOC and LGBTQIA folks in the wellness field. She is the co-founder of a startup called Uniformed Meditation, a convenient meditation experience for Frontline workers and First Responders. In her spare time, she enjoys the arts and being a mom and partner.
