At LUYA International School, learning is not limited to textbooks and examinations. It is also a process of understanding oneself and developing empathy for others. This semester, MYP students participated in a special class activity – a Zentangle Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) session.
Through the creation of simple yet repetitive lines and patterns, students learned to slow down, focus their attention, observe their emotions, and express their inner thoughts through art.
Practicing Focus and Self-Awareness Through Art
Zentangle is an artistic practice that emphasizes mindfulness and presence. Students begin with the most basic lines, gradually extending each stroke to form unique patterns and compositions of their own.
In this creative process, there are no right or wrong answers. Every line becomes part of the artwork and a reflection of the creator’s emotions.
As students concentrate on the rhythm of their lines, tension slowly fades, and the classroom transforms into a calm and focused learning environment.
One student shared:
“When I draw Zentangle, I focus on how the lines grow slowly, and it feels like my mind becomes quiet too.”
Another student added:
“Everyone’s work looks different. It’s interesting, and it helps me understand how others think.”
Holistic Learning in the MYP Framework
This class activity also reflects the philosophy of the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP).
Through creative work and reflection, students develop important Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills, including:
- Self-management skills
Students practice concentration, patience, and emotional regulation during the creative process.
- Creative thinking
Through the free combination of lines and patterns, students explore personal expression and creativity.
- Reflection
By sharing their work and discussing their experiences, students reflect on the relationship between creativity and emotions.
The lesson is also connected to the MYP Global Context: Identities and Relationships, encouraging students to reflect on questions such as “Who am I?” and “How do I understand myself and others?”
Bringing the IB Learner Profile to Life
During the lesson, several attributes of the IB Learner Profile became visible in students’ learning experiences:
Reflective
Students observed their own emotions during the creative process and reflected on their experiences while sharing their work.
Balanced
The activity reminded students to care not only about academic achievement but also about their emotional and mental well-being.
Open-minded
By appreciating each other’s artwork, students learned to respect different perspectives and forms of expression.
Caring
Through discussion and feedback, students demonstrated empathy and support for one another.
The Principal’s Educational Vision
The principal of LUYA International School shared:
“The value of education is not simply the accumulation of knowledge, but helping students understand themselves and discover how they connect with the world.
At LUYA, we hope our students become not only successful learners, but thoughtful individuals who can understand both themselves and others.”
Learning as a Journey of Exploration
At LUYA International School, education is more than academic study. It is also about cultivating self-awareness, creativity, and emotional intelligence.
Through learning experiences like Zentangle, students learn to pause amid busy academic lives, focus on the present moment, and gradually discover more about themselves through creativity.
This kind of learning reflects LUYA’s commitment to holistic education — nurturing future learners who possess global perspectives, emotional awareness, and a deeper understanding of themselves and the world.
