Silence and Stillness in Schools

At St. Martin in the Fields in Trafalgar Square there is a programme of events open to all, with a special discussion taking place at 11.00am on Silence and Stillness in Schools
Just this Day has a single aim, to highlight the importance of stillness and silence for all people. Stillness allows us to connect with something so deep and ever present that it is easily missed in the ordinary daily round. It takes a particular effort to establish, but has enormous benefits.

  • In her book, The Warmth of Your Heart prevents your body from Rusting, Marie de Hennezel writes of the importance of learning to be quiet and alone during childhood: ‘Nobody teaches us how to be alone, and that is the case from childhood upwards.  The aim of all our education, whether it is dispensed by the family or school, is never to leave the child in silence, alone with him or herself. So it is hardly a surprise that the adult individual is so dependent on others, that he has never learned self-reliance, self-knowledge, or how to trust himself.’

    • There is a programme for children all week, consisting of the labyrinth in the courtyard at St Martin and a trail of pictures to follow at the National Gallery. Please register your school/class participation. You can call Liz Edmunds to book a slot on the labyrinth and to book a time to visit the picture of Ariadne by Titian in the National Gallery with one of our guides who will talk the children through the story and its meaning especially relating to the labyrinth.

    If you have any questions, or would like to be put in touch with other schools taking part, please e-mail us on info@justthisday.org .

    Lesson Plans

    Open/Download: labyrinth ideas assembly idea intro assembly idea homework ideas lesson plan 1 lesson plan 2 lesson plan 3 lesson plan 4 lesson plan 5 The Silence Game

    One Response to Schools

    1. Pingback: A Sublime Day in London « Stepping off the Treadmill