“Mindfulness Through Play has had a powerful impact on our students over the past school year. What began as a summer camp experience introducing the traditional Japanese game Kendama quickly revealed itself to be much more than just learning a new game — it became a meaningful social-emotional learning opportunity.

Kendama is a deceptively simple tool that requires focus, persistence, and patience — qualities many middle schoolers struggle with. Through this program, students were taught to embrace the process of learning: to try, to fail, to try again — and to know that "you’ve got this." The message is clear and empowering: mistakes are part of growth, and every moment is a chance to start again.

This past summer, we were proud to partner with Mindfulness Through Play as part of our Summer Learning program. We witnessed English Language Learners, some new to the country, not only engage with a new skill but also build confidence, support each other, and practice emotional regulation in real-time.

If we could choose just one partner program to return year after year, Mindfulness Through Play would be it. It teaches patience, resilience, and empathy — skills our students need both in and out of the classroom. Every school should have access to a program like this.”

Nikol Gordon St. Paul MN Flipside Coordinator

STUDENTS ARE STILL BUZZING ABOUT THE PROGRAM. JOSHUA’S FACILITATION AND GROUP MANAGEMENT SKILLS ARE IMPECCABLE. 

Ed Rosario Physical Education Coach, Cesar Chavez School,  Portland Oregon

I really enjoyed the Mindfulness strategies that were displayed and I know my students really enjoyed using these strategies. My biggest takeaway was how I could build a students confidence with trying new skills using the Kendama. I would recommend this program to others because it’s  good for team building. I think this was great and I know this served great in our school community. 

Ernest Tucker Physical Education Teacher  Loring Elementary School Minneapolis MN

STUDENTS WERE COMPLETELY ENGAGED, AND THEY WERE ENCOURAGED TO ENCOURAGE OTHERS. THE POSITIVITY WAS CRANKED UP SEVERAL NOTCHES, AND IT WAS NICE TO HEAR AND SEE STUDENTS GET EXCITED WHEN THEY WOULD LAND A CHALLENGING TRICK. 

Kristyl Boies Bilingual Teacher, Steamboat Springs Middle School, Steamboat Springs,CO

The biggest take away from me is how we can use the mindfulness through play techniques of breathing and controlling our emotions and thoughts and apply those same strategies to other units in PE and for the students help them use those strategies in other areas of the school and their lives.

Cris Grassel: Whittier International Elementary PE Teacher Mpls

“AMAZING. THEY HAD AWESOME PROGRAMMING/CURRICULUM, AND WERE GREAT WITH THE KIDS. THEY DID A GREAT JOB OF INVOLVING EVERYONE, MAKING SURE EVERYONE HAD A GREAT TIME, AND EVERYONE LEARNED SOMETHING THEY COULD TAKE BEYOND KENDAMA.”

Bethany Pitts Afterschool Coordinator, Rogue Valley Family YMCA, Medford, OR

My own children had your program come to their school and I've been amazed with what they took away from it. They have become passionate about building their own skills and it truly does help with mindfulness by "playing".

Kris Thompson -  Lincoln Center Elementary , Minneapolis MN - 3rd grade teacher

YOUR KIDS WILL BLOSSOM UNDER THE GENTLE TUTELAGE AND BE CHALLENGED IN WAYS THAT WILL ALLOW THEM TO GROW. THEIR GROWTH WILL FUEL ALL OTHER ASPECTS OF WHO THEY ARE.

Molly MacDonald 6th grade teacher, River Valley Waldorf School, Upper Black Eddy, PA