Life can become very busy. One of my meditation teachers once shared that the average person of today will be exposed to more information in a single day than the average person of a century ago would have been in an entire year. Children today are very scheduled, have less time to play freely in nature, and most are spending increased time on screens. For some children who have academic challenges, attention deficit disorder or executive function challenges, parents may notice increased levels of anxiety in their child or teen.

Amy Saltzman, MD, a holistic physician and mindfulness coach in Menlo Park, California, conducted a study in conjunction with researchers at Stanford University showing that after 8 weeks of mindfulness training, the fourth through sixth graders in the study had documented decreases in anxiety, and improvements in attention. They were less emotionally reactive and more able to handle daily challenges and choose their behavior.

Causes of anxiety in children today are vast and wide. There’s been a notable increase in anxiety among children over the past few years, making them the most anxious generation of all time (Psychology Today, 2024). Causes of this generation’s anxiety include economic instability in families, rise in screen time, pressure and comparison from social media, lack of opportunity to build resilience through unsupervised play, lack of access to nature, or lack of free time to relax and restore. Additionally anxiety can run in families, be the cause of a physical illness in a family or low self esteem caused by a learning disability like dyslexia, or social isolation from peers.

Research shows that our brains are wired to hold onto the negative, almost like Velcro, while positive thoughts slip away like water on Teflon. Sometimes, the mind gets caught in “cognitive distortions” or negative thought patterns tied to how we feel about ourselves and how we believe others see us. These repeated stories can shape the way we move through the world.

Learning to quiet our internal thoughts through mindfulness practice, walks in nature, or free play offer folks of all ages an opportunity to pause. If you can string a number of these pauses together, you’ve just found ease. This ease lowers cortisol levels allowing for clear thinking and a broader space in one’s heart. Ease and clarity begin to replace anxiety and fear. Quantitative and qualitative research has shown that mindfulness improves student behavior, helps regulate emotions, and increases aptitude for learning. Additionally, increased focus helps counteract shortening of attention spans trained by media and digital devices.  The ability to focus is a crucial factor in completing any project, whether in academics, sports, or beyond.  While meditation does not take away life’s challenges, it sure helps soften them.

Can Mindfulness practice be a part of your
child’s Orton-Gillingham tutoring sessions?

Yes! While formal mindfulness classes are not always a fit for families or a child, there are practices that can be worked into tutoring sessions that can have a positive impact on a child’s learning. We can discuss options prior to starting tutoring sessions.

Can Mindfulness become a part of a family practice?

Yes! If you are interested in bringing mindfulness to your family, the best way is to learn these practices yourself. Please contact me to learn about upcoming retreats at South Ferry Sanctuary in Narragansett.

Can Mindfulness practices be used in my classroom?

Absolutely! I have seen it in action! I ran several 16 week programs in the Newport’s Public Schools teaching classroom teachers and students about a variety of mindfulness practices. Teachers and students practiced these practices side by side and found moments of rest and relief together.

Can Mindfulness practices be offered for teacher- professional development?

100%! I have led professional development workshops on Mindfulness and Movement in two different communities in Rhode Island (Newport and Burrillville).

Quieting the mind isn’t easy. That’s why it’s called a practice. You just have to begin.