Insight into Our Pro Bono Project at Conrad Primary School in Wannsee

Between packed lunches and homework, many children and teachers alike face the same question: How can mindfulness be sustainably embedded into the often hectic school day? Together with Conrad Primary School in Berlin-Wannsee, we are exploring this very question – and witnessing how initial impulses are transforming into lived practice.

Our first visit in November 2024 already offered promising insights. During a recent follow-up visit by Dr. Svea von Hehn, we were able to observe just how deeply the topic of mindfulness has since been integrated into the daily school routine. Particularly inspiring: the dedication of the teaching staff, who not only adopt the content but actively develop it further and embed it into their everyday work.

Mindfulness Explained for Children

With vivid, child-friendly metaphors – such as the “snow globe” representing how our thoughts can get stirred up – the children explored how the brain works in a playful and engaging way. They learned what role the amygdala plays in processing emotions and how the prefrontal cortex supports conscious action and decision-making.

Space for Emotions and Self-Awareness

Through interactive exercises, the children were invited to name their feelings, use a feelings card game to start conversations, and conduct small self-experiments to discover their own attention. These activities provided accessible and everyday-relevant ways to connect with mindfulness.

Mindfulness as a Living School Ritual

What makes us especially happy: the learning doesn't stop at the workshop. Teachers are now regularly implementing mindfulness breaks, for example to pause before lessons begin or to calm nerves before tests. These new rituals help children settle into a focused learning mode – a valuable skill, especially in preparation for the transition to secondary school.

Creative Integration Through Personal Rituals

As a follow-up, the children are creating their own snow globes – accompanied by a “strength shower,” a ritual we co-developed with the teaching team. This makes mindfulness tangible and lasting – not just a nice idea, but a lived part of school culture.

We are deeply impressed by the openness, commitment, and initiative of the staff – and we look forward to continuing this journey together.