EPV 2026 SUMMER COURSE
Supporting Focus & Behaviour in the Classroom With Mindfulness
Learn how mindfulness-based strategies can support attention, emotional regulation and positive behaviour, helping children settle, refocus and engage more effectively with learning.
Course Pre-Approved by the Department of Education and Youth
Practical Strategies to Improve Attention, Regulation, Socialisation and Learning
In today’s fast-paced and overstimulating world, many teachers tell us that their students struggle to sustain attention, regulate their emotions and remain engaged in learning… and that these sometimes spill into behavioural issues. Irrespective of age, difficulties with focus can impact academic progress, behaviour and emotional well-being, particularly when children feel overwhelmed or under pressure to perform. With increasing demands in the classroom and limited access to specialist supports, teachers are often seeking practical, accessible tools to help children settle, refocus and learn more effectively. They are also looking for support around behavioural issues linked to anger, frustration, impatience and lack of empathy. This course introduces mindfulness-based strategies to support attention, self-regulation, empathy towards others and readiness to learn in everyday classroom settings.
At CPI, we believe mindfulness should be practical, age-appropriate and grounded in an understanding of how children’s brains and bodies respond to stress and distraction. It’s common for teachers to worry that mindfulness is too abstract, time-consuming or difficult to implement. That is absolutely not the case! Mindfulness is the natural state of all humans, especially children (whose ability to be in the present moments often teaches me so much, both personally and professionally). This course shows how simple, evidence-informed practices can be seamlessly embedded into the school day all the way from Junior Infants to 6th Class! Most importantly, you’ll learn how your calm presence and intentional routines can help children feel safer, more focused and better able to engage with learning, and on being kinder to others.
Course Overview
This course explores how mindfulness can be used to support focus, attention, empathy and emotional regulation in the classroom through both formal and informal approaches. Participants will develop an understanding of how mindfulness supports the developing brain, reduces stress and enhances readiness to learn, with a strong emphasis on practical application rather than theory alone.
Teachers will be introduced to a range of formal mindfulness practices, such as breathing exercises, body awareness and guided attention activities, alongside informal mindfulness strategies that can be embedded naturally into everyday classroom life. The course demonstrates how mindfulness can be adapted for different ages and learning styles, using creative and engaging approaches including art-based activities, drama and movement, outdoor learning and sensory awareness.
Rather than adding another task to an already full workload, this course focuses on how mindfulness gives time back. Participants will learn how short, intentional practices can reduce classroom dysregulation, improve sustained attention and support calmer transitions, resulting in children who are more focused, alert and emotionally regulated. By helping children settle their bodies and minds, teachers create the conditions for learning to happen more efficiently, with fewer disruptions, greater engagement and overall more enjoyment in the classroom. By the end of the course, participants will feel confident using mindfulness as a practical, time-saving tool that supports both teaching, learning and social relationships.
This course is ten hours of audio content, visual content and assessment in total, and there are ten hours of recommended reading and resources for you to further develop your own learning.
Course Goals:
Understand how mindfulness supports attention, regulation and learning in the classroom
Recognise the signs of stress and dysregulation that impact focus and behaviour
Learn practical mindfulness strategies to help children settle, refocus and engage
Create classroom environments that support calm, empathy and sustained attention
Course breakdown
- 10 hours on-demand video material and 10 hours offline learning
- Online tutor moderation and support
- Downloadable articles and resources
- Access on mobile and desktop
- Course pre-approved by Department of Education and Youth
- Full access to the course from the beginning so you can progress at your own pace
With over 10,000 online students, the Child Psychology Institute comes highly recommended as an EPV Summer Course Provider for Irish school teachers.
We also welcome secondary school teachers and SNAs to our summer courses.
Course Dates
GROUP 1
July 1st - 15th 2026
GROUP 2
July 20th – Aug 3rd 2026
GROUP 3
Aug 5th – 21st 2026
About Course Developer – Dr Lorraine Lynch
Dr Lorraine Lynch is an award-winning health psychologist, social entrepreneur and author who specialises in child mental health, behaviour, learning and wellbeing.
With a strong academic background in developmental and health psychology, and extensive experience working directly with schools, families and educators, her work bridges evidence-based theory and practical classroom application.
Dr Lynch’s approach is informed by ecological and choice-based models of psychology, recognising the powerful role of school environments, relationships and emotional wellbeing in supporting children’s development. She has lectured at third-level institutions, co-founded a nationally recognised psychological service for children and families, and is a published author and media contributor.
As EPV Summer Course Developer, Dr Lynch is committed to providing engaging, relevant and practical professional learning that empowers educators to create inclusive, supportive and psychologically informed learning environments.
“I can honestly say that the passion Lorraine has for this topic was obvious throughout this course and made it so enjoyable. I’ve done so many summer courses throughout the years and this was hands-down the best! I couldn’t stop thinking about it and have been telling my friends and family about all my new learnings. It’s like the Netflix of summer courses. I’ll definitely be back next year. Thank you again.”
Course Aims
- Explain how mindfulness supports attention, emotional regulation, socialisation processes and readiness to learn
- Distinguish between formal and informal mindfulness practices and identify when to use each in the classroom
- Apply practical mindfulness strategies to support focus, calm and alertness throughout the school day
- Use creative approaches such as art, drama, movement and outdoor activities to engage children in mindfulness
- Recognise signs of stress, overload and dysregulation and respond using mindfulness-based strategies
- Embed short, intentional mindfulness practices that reduce disruption and support smoother transitions
- Create classroom conditions that support sustained attention, emotional safety and effective learning
- Evaluate the impact of mindfulness on children’s focus, regulation and engagement in learning
FAQs
Each course is divided into three groups that are running on the following dates:
- Group 1: July 1st – 15th 2026
- Group 2: July 20th – Aug 3rd 2026
- Group 3: Aug 5th – 21st 2026
The course starts and ends on each of the above dates. It is a completely self-paced online course – you decide when you complete tasks within your chosen course’s dates!
Yes, all work is monitored by our e-tutor team, which means that you will receive feedback and you will be notified if more detail is required.
All of our EPV Summer Courses cost €99 per course.
You can also save by bundling:
- €175 for two courses
- €250 for three courses
From early February until 30th April 2026, you can save
20% with our Early Bird offer using the code EARLYBIRD2026. The discount is automatically applied at checkout.
Just add your chosen course(s) and group date(s) to your cart and the correct price will be applied.
Please note: as per Department of Education and Youth (DEY) guidelines, you cannot complete two courses at the same time.
For example, you can complete two courses within the same group timeframe, but one must be completed before starting the second.
Our primary focus is on you learning and then supporting children with their emotional wellness. As a result, we place value on reflective learning. You’ll be asked to discuss your own understanding and experiences, as well as brief summaries of important topics. All assignments are less than 500 words.
We are obsessed with children’s wellness and our mission is to impart as much knowledge as we can on to the people who matter – the teachers and SNAs who are guiding, supporting and shaping our children every single day.
All of our courses have been developed with the most current research in the area of health and educational psychology. Students who have completed courses with us in the past keep coming back for more. Why? Because our customers complete courses that are jam-packed full of meaningful information and effective strategies that really do create change, not just across classrooms, but across careers!
You’ll receive an email with your login details one week before your course begins, with full instructions on how to access your course.
When your course opens, you can log in anytime by visiting our website and clicking Login at the top of the page.
Use:
- The email address you registered with
- Your password (or click Forgot Password if needed)
Once logged in, click Course Portal in the menu to access your course.