Mindfulness training may help kids pay attention

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Children who receive a short course in mindfulness training show improved concentration, reports a recent  study. The study, carried out by Dominic Crehan and Dr. Michelle Ellesfson of the University of Cambridge, involved 30 children between the ages of 10 and 11.  The results were presented at the British Psychological Society’s Cognitive Developmental Psychology Annual Conference at the University of Reading.

“Mindfulness involves paying attention in a particular way - on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgementally. It has been shown to reduce levels of stress and depression, and to improve feelings of well-being, but to date researchers have not established a link between mindfulness and attention skills in children,” explained Crehan.

The 30 children involved in the research were divided into two groups to allow the researchers to make comparisons. Each group of children participated in a mindfulness course as part of their schoolwork. 

The researchers measured the children's mindfulness and attentiveness on three

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occasions using a questionnaire and a computer game.  The measurements were taken at three month intervals.

The research results showed "an improvement in the children’s ability to focus and deal with distractions" which the researchers associated with the mindfulness course.

“The ability to pay attention in class is crucial for success at school. Mindfulness appears to have an effect after only a short training course, which the children thoroughly enjoyed! Through their training, the children actually learn to watch their minds working and learn to control their attention. These findings could be particularly important for helping children with attention difficulties such as ADHD,” Crehan said.

Crehan recommends further study in this area.

More information on mindfulness training is available from the Centre for Mindfulness Research and Practice at Bangor University.

Information on teaching mindfulness to children is available from the Greater Good Science Centre at the University of Berkeley.

Source:

Mindfulness training improves attention in children

©Mary M Conneely T/A Advocacy in Action