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Mindfulness Matters
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In recent years, some schools have begun to introduce meditation, or "mindfulness training," into their classrooms. This practice is a useful tool for people of all ages. During mindfulness training, students may be instructed to sit quietly and observe their thoughts and feelings. Mindfulness training can reduce stress and help students perform better academically. Therefore, more schools should teach students how to meditate.
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Among schools that already teach meditation, the results have been positive. In one study, teachers reported that their students were more focused after five weeks of mindfulness practice. The students also participated more fully in class. A middle school in San Francisco reported that a student meditation program led to higher attendance rates and grade point averages. Another study suggested that mindfulness meditation helped students perform better on tests. Such results indicate that mindfulness training for students may yield concrete benefits for schools.
Many supporters are convinced that meditation training programs can also help students overcome stress. For example, Headstand is a mindfulness education program designed to help students overcome anxiety. A study concluded that ninety-eight percent of participating students reported feeling less stressed after they completed the Headstand program. In another study, researchers followed students who participated in meditation and yoga classes three times a week. They found that, after each class, participants had lower levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, in their bodies. "At some point in their lives, everyone is going to experience something that knocks them down," says Michael, a former Headstand student. Supporters of mindfulness training in schools believe that these programs can give students a set of tools to manage this stress.
Despite the positive results seen so far, some will point to the fact that research on mindfulness training for students is still limited. Indeed, much of the research on mindfulness has focused on adults, not children. Critics also point out that much of the current research is not rigorous enough and that more careful studies need to be done. Associate Professor Tamar Mendelson of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health agrees that research on meditation in children is still in its early stages. However, even she says that she has seen the positive impact of meditation on children. Others express concern that meditation is not a valuable use of class time; they believe that "stillness" amounts to wasted time in school. But many people disagree. Denise Pope, a senior lecturer at the Stanford University Graduate School of Education, stated, "This is something teachers can do immediately. You get a lot of bang for your buck, and anyone who is against it isn't thinking clearly." Based on current research, we can expect that future studies will only strengthen our understanding of the benefits of mindfulness.
Although still in its early stages, research suggests that meditation programs can help in many ways. For one, students learn to cope with anxiety and stressful situations. Also, students of mindfulness training report better concentration and gains in their academic performance. Thus, meditation should be a part of every student's school day. Although some may find such programs strange, the programs demonstrate that participating in "stillness" can be just as productive as other school-related activities.
What is the author's main claim or argument?
People of all ages could benefit from mindfulness training.
Schools should teach their students mindful meditation.
Meditation helps people control their thoughts and feelings.Submit
