“May we give our children roots to grow and wings to fly”

My name is Irma Smegen and I live in a very quiet part of the Netherlands (Europe). I am a mindfulness and compassion trainer, with a background in pre-primary, primary and arts- education. I have been working with children my entire life. Along the way, I have balanced various roles: as a primary school and kindergarten teacher, day care leader and drama teacher. For eighteen years, I was a lecturer of drama, arts & culture at the Education department of Stenden University.

I try to live my life mindfully (and am learning every day …) I enjoy combining mindfulness and compassion with arts and nature, and provide mindfulness and compassion training courses to inspire others.

I write educational books and design learning tools. I speak at congresses about my methods and the positive effects of it on learning. Playing and playful learning are important ingredients in my work.