“Children’s lives can be as busy and pressured as the adult world they share. Crowded curriculums, family challenges, mobiles/cyberspace connections and crammed after-school schedules can create a sense of life being ‘claustrophobic’.
Mindfulness offers the precious gift of space to children. Space is created by paying attention to the present moment.”
Leal, J-E. 2020
Welcome
Happy Little Thinkers is a unique 9-week meditation and mindfulness program for preschool and primary-aged children.
My name is Meredith, and I am the founder of Wellbeing Arc Collective. I am passionate about providing a nurturing space for children to feel included, safe, and supported in learning lifelong skills that enhance their emotional, physical, and mental wellbeing.
Supporting others to feel empowered regarding their wellbeing has always been at the forefront of my fifteen-year career in education. Through my experience as a primary school educator and former assistant principal, I developed a deeper understanding of the underpinnings of wellbeing and how mindfulness practices can powerfully impact the individual and the culture of a community.
I am a qualified meditation and mindfulness educator specialising in meditation for children, parents and the workplace. I have also studied fine art.
Happy Little Thinkers provides a space for children to explore a world of creativity, play, storytelling, imagination, and endless possibilities while they embed invaluable wellbeing skills.
Our Curriculum
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Assessment
The Happy Little Thinker preschool program is aligned with the Early Years Learning Framework, and it caters to children aged 4-5.
Our K-6 program is curriculum-aligned (ACARA). In NSW, it coincides with the Wellbeing Framework and PDHPE Syllabus to inform program planning and assessment.
Formative and summative assessments are integral parts of the program. We value maintaining a strong relationship with a school to continually reflect upon student growth and development.
Each lesson contains a Learning Intention and Success Criteria to ensure learning is explicit for children.
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Evidence Based
Happy Little Thinkers has no religious or spiritual affiliation and is based on science and evidence-based research.
The Australian Centre for Meditation and Mindfulness states that “primary school-aged children are developing fundamental skills related to emotional literacy, socialisation, self-regulation, cooperation, interdependence and a healthy understanding of who they are in the world.” (ACCM 2020)
Happy Little Thinkers helps children gain empowering tools to support them through life’s changes. The program teaches children about their imaginary toolkit that is always with them.
The children's toolkit will contain strategies for processing feelings, cultivating resilience, understanding the science of their mind, regulation, and developing a love of who they are.
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Meditation Development
Happy Little Thinkers supports children in developing two key areas: meditation techniques and mindfulness skill development.
Meditation is defined as the practice of utilising a formal technique to cultivate a greater presence in the current moment.
Some of the formal techniques students will explore are independently creating a comfortable position for meditation, breathing techniques, the five senses, body relaxation, visualisation, Heart Words and sound meditation.
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Mindfulness Development
Mindfulness is being present and bringing our full attention to the informal activity that is being performed.
Some of the skills students will enhance include mindful listening and speaking, becoming aware of thoughts and feelings, emotional literacy, self-regulation, understanding the science of my brain and thoughts, mindful movement, and mindful art.
Resilience, bravery, kindness, gratitude, and celebrating individuality are also important curriculum components.
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Differentiated Learning
Happy Little Thinkers provides differentiated learning based on specific themes. Both preschool and K-4 classes, have a unique ‘magic place’ that they visit each week to explore key concepts. Some of the places include The Mystical Land, The Enchanted Garden and The Calm Cove. Key meditation techniques and mindfulness skills are taught through characters from the special place that they visit.
In Years 5 and 6, students begin to explore the science of the mind and mindfulness themes such as, building community, mindful speech, mindful listening, and personal dispositions for self-mastery. The students discuss and reflect upon different wellbeing topics and explore inspirational figures.
I value listening and reflecting on student needs throughout the program. Variations to lesson themes may occur if a class requires more time on a topic or a different wellbeing area arises.
Program Samples
A sample Happy Little Thinker Lesson Plan
A sample Happy Little Thinker Parent Poster. This poster is an inclusion of the program and it is sent home each week. It reinforces the face-to-face program Meredith completes with the children each week.
Our Program Packages
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PROGRAM 1 Happy Little Thinker Student Immersion
This program's intention is to allow students to develop a foundation for meditation and mindfulness skills.
It is an in-person immersion where Meredith, or a valued member of our team, works with each grade once per week for 9 weeks. This option includes a graduation certificate for students.
Formative and summative assessment samples and more information about the program can be presented to you in an initial meeting should you wish to learn more.
Duration: 9 weeks
Cost: $180 per 40 minute lesson/per grade. A minimum of 6 classes is required.
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PROGRAM 2 Empowered Parents
This program complements the student immersion above and focuses on building a solid connection between the children’s learning and home.
In the afternoon or evening, parents and guardians are welcomed into the school community to hear an informative talk about Happy Little Thinkers before engaging in a guided meditation with their child. The program timing can be tailored to your needs and can take place in the initial phase or midway.
Duration: 60 minutes
Cost: $600 per session. Depending on your school size, this may be 1-2 sessions to accommodate students and parents.
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PROGRAM 3 Staff Wellbeing & Professional Development
This program focuses on building a strong culture of wellbeing within the schooling community and supporting staff with meditation and mindfulness skills to enhance their wellbeing.
In addition to learning more about what the children are discovering, staff can engage in professional development training over three 50-minute sessions or a four-hour immersive session. Staff are welcome to have this program in school or attend a fully catered session at our practice in Skennars Head.
Please email if you would like to know more about our core sessions and elective options for this program.
Duration & Cost: The cost of this program will depend on the number of staff who may attend and the preferred duration.
Supporting Children to Blossom & Thrive
Wellbeing Arc Collective provides a comprehensive service for each school from start to finish. To express interest in our Happy Little Thinkers program, please use the form below.
From here, our founder will call you to introduce herself and organise a time to come and meet with you in person. In this initial meeting, we discuss the program in more detail.