Pilot #2
Lewiston, Maine
Longley Head Start Pre-K Classroom
Research Questions:
Does OmKids Mindfulness Program support Pre-K students to improve the following social and emotional skills:
- Overall Stress
- Emotional Distress
- Behavioral Difficulties
- Hyperactivity and
- Concentration Difficulties
- Difficulties Getting Along with Other Children
- Kind and Helpful Behavior
OmKids offered ten, 15-20 minute yoga and mindfulness sessions to the Longley Pre-K Classroom. Classes were held every Monday and Friday from January 5th through February 9th.
Conclusions:
Overall, OmKids supported improvements in overall classroom; Stress (36% pre-program down to 28% post program); Emotional Distress (21% pre-program down to 0% post program); and Hyperactivity (21% pre-program down to 14% post program). Emotional Distress showed the largest improvement in the class as a whole and individual scores, with 3 students scores remaining the same, and l11 of the students showing lowered scores post program.
For individual participants, Stress was lowered for one of the 5 students who showed above average at the start of the program; Emotional Distress was lowered in all three of the students who showed above average at the start of the program; and Hyperactivity was lowered for two of the 3 students who showed above average at the start of the program.
OmKids Mindfulness Program was effective in lowering 3 of the 6 social and emotional categories measured for the Longley Pre-K Classroom.
Limitations:
There were 3 cancellations in a row, due to weather, near the end of the program. This break could have skewed results due to loss of momentum and children not remembering the previous lessons.