Emily McDougal - Meditation as a substitute for harsh punishment

Summary: Some schools in Baltimore have been developing a program that promotes peace and relaxation instead of harsh punishment or detention. If a child is disruptive during class, teachers can send them to a "Mindful Moment Room" where they can have time to breathe and calm down. This program was started because studies have shown that nearly a quarter of Baltimore residents live in poverty, therefore high-stress environments. Some children attending these Baltimore schools were affected by this, and some were even homeless. The schools wanted to create a safe space for these children. This alternative has already shown signs of improvement among the students. The schools say there is significantly more productivity and less suspensions and referrals. They are continuing to observe this system to see if it is practical, but so far the results seem incredibly positive.

Analysis: This article was written on November 4, 2016, by Deborah Bloom, to tell readers about a growing trend in schools in Baltimore. I think this is a really interesting concept. America as a whole has been seeing a whole lot of violence and hatred recently, so the introduction of this idea is a drastic change from what we've recently been seeing in the news. I think it's very important to promote peace and safety in schools at a very early age, especially because of the current violence in our country and the world. It's important for us to spread peace and create calm spaces for children to be able to get away from that hatred. I think this is encouraging a very positive concept in the lives of children, and it's important for us to create the safest community possible for children to grow up in.

Synthesis: In 1963, Martin Luther King Jr said, "hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Hate multiplies hate, violence multiples violence..." In this same way, allowing out children to act in anger and hate will only eventually breed more of the violence we're seeing in our country today. Giving a child a harsh punishment when they act out in violence could make them more likely to act out in violence again in the future. We must show our children peacefulness, and peacefulness will be created.

http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/04/health/meditation-in-schools-baltimore/index.html