Four Studies Show Positive Effects of Mindfulness for Early Childhood Educators
I talk a lot in my trainings and social media about how mindfulness helps build brains wired for empathy, problem-solving, and self-regulation when shared with preschool kids, but there is another, major, reason why mindfulness belongs in the ECE classroom. It helps teachers!
It can’t be said enough how heroic the work of early childhood educators truly is – y’all are literal BRAIN BUILDERS! – but our society all too often undervalues this critical work. Add to this the real challenges of serving young children, and teachers and staff really have their work cut out for them. It’s stressful, to say the least. But research is showing that mindfulness can help improve classroom culture, by helping teachers regulate their own stress and form positive relationships with students.
1. A 2016 study found improved interpersonal relationships and decreased anxiety in preschool teachers after mindfulness training. http://ow.ly/ngZB50xrGVV
2. A 2019 study found that preschool teachers who utilize tools for managing stress, such as mindfulness practice, are less likely to request student expulsions. http://ow.ly/P02t50xrGVY
3. A 2017 study in Head Start classrooms found that more mindful teachers have better quality relationships with students and less workplace stress. http://ow.ly/qFNm50xrGVX
4. A 2013 study found that providing mindfulness training to preschool teachers resulted in positive behavior changes among students. http://ow.ly/EHnC50xrGVW
Stories, Songs, and Stretches!® training can help your teachers and staff improve their own stress management skills while helping the littlest learners build self-awareness and other SEL competencies. State approved CEs in OH, KY, IN, VA, TN, NC, SC and WA! Now scheduling private training workshops for 2020!