Meditation in Schools Works. Period.
Estimated Reading Time: 7 minutes
Meditation in schools isn’t just a trend—it’s a proven strategy for enhancing student well-being and performance. A groundbreaking study published in June 2024 by Dr. Peta Stapleton and Dr. Joe Dispenza provides powerful evidence of its benefits. Involving nearly 900 students aged 4 to 11, this research demonstrates that short, guided meditation sessions can have a transformative impact on children’s mental health and behaviour.
At Dreamwalkers Meditations, we’ve witnessed these outcomes firsthand. The findings of this study not only validate the core principles of our Mindful Minutes program but also highlight the profound influence mindfulness can have in the classroom.
What the Study Found
The Stapleton and Dispenza study focused on the effects of daily guided meditations lasting between 5 to 15 minutes. Over ten weeks, students participated in practices emphasizing:
Intentional Breathing
Affirmations
Heart-Centred Awareness
Emotional Regulation
The results? Remarkable improvements across all age groups:
Increased happiness and academic performance for students aged 4 to 8.
Greater emotional awareness for students aged 9 to 11.
Improved self-regulation across all age groups.
Decreased emotional and behavioural difficulties for both younger and older children.
This study serves as a compelling reminder of the profound impact even brief meditation sessions can have on students’ emotional, behavioural, and academic growth.
Dreamwalkers Meditations: A Parallel Approach
The findings of the Stapleton and Dispenza study resonate deeply with what we’ve created at Dreamwalkers Meditations. Our Mindful Minutes program was designed with similar goals and strategies in mind. Here’s how the study’s approach aligns with our own:
Short Sessions:
Both the study and Mindful Minutes demonstrate that effective meditation doesn’t require lengthy sessions. At Dreamwalkers, our guided meditations are just six and a half minutes long—enough to create noticeable shifts in focus and calmness without taking up excessive classroom time.
Core Mindfulness Practices:
Like the study, our meditations incorporate intentional breathing, affirmations, and emotional regulation strategies. These practices are accessible, age-appropriate, and highly effective in promoting self-awareness and resilience.
Scalable for All Ages:
The study showed how meditation benefits both younger and older students in unique ways. Similarly, Mindful Minutes are adaptable, ensuring every student—whether in kindergarten or grade eight—can engage meaningfully with the practice.
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL):
Just as the study highlighted the emotional benefits of mindfulness, our meditations are crafted to align with SEL competencies, fostering empathy, self-regulation, and positive peer interactions.
The Power of Simplicity
One of the most striking conclusions from the study is that children don’t need to meditate for long periods to experience profound benefits. Complex or highly regimented practices aren’t necessary. At Dreamwalkers, we’ve seen how even short, straightforward meditations can lead to:
Improved classroom energy: Students are calmer, more focused, and better prepared for learning after a meditation session.
Increased student buy-in: Once kids feel the benefits, they often start requesting Mindful Minutes or reminding teachers if they forget.
A better classroom dynamic: A calm teacher plus calm students equals a more positive and productive learning environment.
Why Meditation Belongs in Every Classroom
The Stapleton and Dispenza study reinforces what educators and mindfulness advocates have known for years: Meditation isn’t just a tool for relaxation; it’s a transformative practice that prepares students for life. It improves their ability to manage emotions, enhances focus, and fosters academic success.
The benefits don’t stop with students. For teachers, these short meditation sessions offer a moment to breathe, regroup, and reset amidst the busy school day. This dual benefit makes meditation a win-win for the classroom.
Start Small, Think Big
Whether you’re inspired by the study or intrigued by Dreamwalkers Meditations, the message is clear: It doesn’t take much to make a significant difference. A few minutes each day can transform not only individual students but also the overall energy and culture of your classroom.
By following simple, guided practices like those in Mindful Minutes, you’ll be equipping your students—and yourself—with tools to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
Your Next Steps
If you’re new to mindfulness in education, start small. Try introducing one six-minute Mindful Minute session into your daily routine. Observe the changes in your students’ focus, emotional regulation, and classroom behaviour. You’ll likely find, as we have, that this small time investment leads to big rewards.
Mindfulness isn’t just a strategy—it’s a movement. Together, let’s bring the benefits of meditation to every classroom, one minute at a time.