"The greatest sign of success for a teacher... is to be able to say: ‘The children are now working
as if I did not exist."
- Maria Montessori
Awakens
Focus
Deepens
Learning
Heals
Distraction
Can mindfulness practices improve K-12 education?
In classrooms around the world, teachers and administrators are incorporating mindfulness practices into their student’s daily routines to help them focus and to alleviate Attention Deficit Disorder, aggression, and stress. Studies are showing that underperforming schools that adopt these practices can show significant academic gains, increased attendance and greatly reduced behavioral issues.
What is the Compassionate Schools Project?
The Compassionate Schools Project is the most comprehensive study ever undertaken of a 21st century health and wellness curriculum in an elementary or secondary school setting. Facilitating the integrated development of mind and body, the project interweaves support in academic achievement, mental fitness, health, and compassionate character. The research aims to have a major impact on children’s education Nationwide in terms of academic performance, physical education, character development, and child health policies due to its extraordinary scale of 50 schools and 20,000 children over the project’s six years.
Mission of the Compassionate Schools Project
When schools help students develop self-awareness and caring for others, they are more likely to succeed. This has been consistently indicated in research in neuroscience and education over the last two decades. Students do better in school when they are mindful of their own thoughts and feelings, can empathize with others, understand their bodies, and practice healthy lifestyle habits such as physical activity and good nutrition. These practices also reduce antagonism and bullying and promote compassion and caring behaviors.