At Valor Academy Elementary in Los Angeles, Connie Clotworthy leads a weekly mindfulness program to help students manage their emotions. Using fun tools like a stuffed bulldog named Billy and an owl named Hoots, she teaches fourth graders about emotional regulation, linking the bulldog to the amygdala (responsible for emotions) and the owl to the prefrontal cortex (which helps control those emotions). Through exercises like breathing and meditation, children learn to stay present and calm their minds.
These mindfulness programs, which have spread to several schools, aim to address the emotional fallout from the pandemic, such as anxiety and behavioral issues. Early results are promising, showing improvements in focus, emotional maturity, and classroom behavior. While more research is needed, these programs highlight the potential for mindfulness as a tool to support children’s mental health, a valuable model for future healthcare professionals to consider in preventive care.
