The practice of mindfulness could have a positive impact on the mental health of children and, potentially, their academic performance, a recent study found.
The new study, published on Aug. 27, reviewed 41 previous studies published between 2008 and 2022 that examined mindfulness interventions implemented in schools, including several types of meditation. Tina Marshall of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration led the review.
All of them contained at least two mindfulness components, such as a combination of body sensation awareness and breathing awareness. The researchers identified 24 interventions, and of these, three programs—Learning to BREATHE, Mindfulness in School Project, and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR)—were rated as having a high level of impact.
These interventions were primarily conducted with middle or high school students, suggesting strong effectiveness for older age…
