Mindfulness

Mindfulness has become an increasingly popular topic in recent years, and for good reason. This ancient practice of paying attention to the present moment without judgement has been shown to have numerous benefits for both physical and mental health. But what about children? Can mindfulness benefit them, too? The answer is a resounding yes! A mindfulness practice can be an essential cornerstone routine for improving self-confidence and performance in school.

Emotional regulation is an important skill that helps children manage stress and anxiety, as well as maintain positive and collaborative relationships with others. In a 2010 study done by Flook et al. children who participated in a regular mindfulness program reported feeling more in control of their emotions, as well as having more positive interactions with their peers. These findings suggest that a mindfulness practice could be an effective tool for teaching children the emotional skills they need to thrive in school and beyond.

Attention and focus are critical to academic success and the self confidence that comes with feeling capable, however, attention related disorders have reached an epidemic level in America. It’s increasing at an ever-increasing rate as evidenced by the skyrocketing use of pharmaceutical interventions that come with side effects and unintended consequences. In a 2015 study done by Schonert-Reichl et al. children who participated in a mindfulness program showed significant improvements in attention and focus, as well as better academic performance.

A third study found that mindfulness practice can improve children’s self-esteem and self-confidence (Biegel et al., 2009). In this study, children who participated in the mindfulness program reported feeling more positive about themselves and their abilities, as well as having more positive relationships with others. Children who have a positive self image and think they’re capable are far more likely to challenge themselves and build strong relationships. For them school becomes an opportunity to express their abilities and develop new skills.

We feel it’s imperative that children be exposed to mindfulness at an early age because of the present day benefits and because they’ll be more likely to continue their practice as young adults and beyond. A study published in the Journal of Child and Family studies found that adolescents who participated in mindfulness programs were more likely to continue practicing as young adults. The study followed a group of adolescents for six weeks and found that those who continued practicing as young adults reported higher levels of well-being, lower levels of stress and better sleep quality.

Mindfulness is a foundational aspect of our program. It permeates every session. Children will be exposed to several different mindfulness practices including yoga, breathwork, and mindful movement. They’ll get repetition and instruction on practical ways they can implement mindfulness into their daily lives.