Classroom Teacher Surveys Indicate Positive Results
Teachers and students regularly share the positive benefits of MTM Programming, including emotional self-regulation, better focus, improved anger management, stress reduction, and generally happier students. Many teachers tell us that their kids can’t wait to come to class!
Upon completion of the 20 week MTM program in April 2023, a survey was conducted among the classroom teachers, asking the following question: “Have you noticed changes in students’ behavior since they have taken the MTM Classes?”
Survey results are listed below.
Teachers responded that 65% of “Students seem happier” after classes, promoting a more peaceful environment for learning and 45% of students were “able to calm themselves”, an indication of emotional self-regulation.
Student Surveys Show the Benefits of Mindfulness
Research demonstrates that yoga and mindfulness practice can increase compassion toward oneself and others. During each class, students were encouraged to consider ways to treat themselves and others with kindness. The following results were noted in the survey:
- 74% of students responded positively to the statement: “I am more kind to others after taking this class.” This response shows evidence of self-awareness and compassion.
- 69% said they are calmer because of the exercise they learned in class.
- 63% said the classes helped them to pause before acting or speaking negatively, both factors indicating an improvement in emotional self-regulation, resilience and an ability to overcome challenges.
Overall, the students from all grades appeared to enjoy and value the MTM program. The full results of the surveys are shown below.
Additional Research Supporting our MTM Program
Compelling evidence has been established over the past few years in the academic research of contemplative practices, such as yoga and mindfulness, as supporting a holistic approach to the development, learning and overall health of educating children. This research provides the framework for the overall teaching methodology of the Mindfulness through Movement program.
Research on school-based yoga and mindfulness programs suggests that incorporating such practices in a school environment provides several positive effects on student mental and physical health. (Click here for citations.)
Some of these positive benefits include:
- has a positive impact on students’ academic performance
- eases anxiety and tension (such as pre-test or performance anxieties)
- reduces anger, depression, and fatigue
- enhances focus, attention, concentration, comprehension, and memory
- builds resiliency and optimism
- improving classroom learning enviroments
Click here to see citations on evidence of these benefits.
Research by Syracuse University
Beginning in 2016, Syracuse University began a two-year research study to determine the impact of the Mindfulness through Movement Program on its student participants. The study showed positive improvement in the areas of self-regulation, self-compassion, and stress responses.
Mindfulness research studies of the impact of school-based programs indicate students are better able to manage their emotions, anger, frustrations, and intrusive thoughts. Students become more adept at postponing short term reactivity for longer term results. They are better able to keep their focus on the task at hand when their environment is attempting to pull their attention in different directions. Their empathetic awareness increases.
Among those students in the MTM Program who were tested, a significant percentage showed measurable improvement both in short term and long-term regulatory abilities as well as growth in their perspective taking abilities.
“With its first evaluation in 2016, the Mindfulness through Movement program was shown to significantly increase the short-term self-regulatory abilities of students who participated in the program for a consecutive two-year period. For first-year students, the program helped them maintain both the short-term and total regulatory abilities that they had been building year-round. Students who participated in the program during the 2016-2017 school year experienced a significant decrease in their maladaptive stress responses (e.g. emotional arousal & intrusive thoughts). Subsequent evaluations have shown that participating in the Mindfulness through Movement program may also lead to students experiencing growth in their perspective-taking abilities.”
Staceyann Reid, MS, CAS, NCC
Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Human Development and Family Science
Syracuse University
144 White Hall
Syracuse, New York 13244
The survey was repeated in 2018-19 with results suggesting that the program was beneficial in preventing significant increases in rumination and intrusive thoughts for students. The study was to be repeated again in 2019-2020, but due to the Covid-19 Pandemic was unable to be completed. A new survey is planned for the upcoming academic school year.
