There is a
critical factor that influences academic outcomes….that has nothing to do with
academics……and even nothing to do with school.
That factor is stress! Extensive research suggests that stress (caused
by poverty, trauma, technology overload, violence etc) significantly inhibits learning…….and
is likely the root of the achievement gap and academic failure in at-risk
communities.
From a neuro
biology standpoint, when students come to the school with chronic stress, their
cognitive resources shift from higher order thinking in the prefrontal cortex
to lower order “fight or flight” in the limbic system. They become more
reactive and less likely to be able to pay attention. The best teachers, best
curriculum, best facilities will not get through. A child may be sitting in a
seat in class, yet isn’t ready to learn
Our mission
at Inner Explorer is to reduce stress so that students are ready to learn! A daily mindfulness program helps to unlock
academic success and foster well-being for millions of children. Mindfulness is paying attention to the
present moment non-judgmentally, and when done every day, it helps students
build the capacity to focus, to be more self-aware and more resilient.
Inner
Explorer is designed to help facilitate the daily practice in just 10 minutes a
day, 10 minutes a day. Mindfulness has
been shown to improve grades and test scores, to reduce suspensions, detentions
and bullying, and maybe as importantly, to increase compassion and
collaboration. (Parents even tell us that their kids don’t fight as much with
each other at home). Think of these
practices as mental fitness to optimize brain function. We relate this to brushing your teeth, you
brush your teeth every day to keep them healthy and strong, same logic goes
towards practicing mindfulness…you practice mindfulness every day to keep our
minds healthy and strong.
I’d like to
tell you a story about a boy in Cleveland.
He was not a high achiever, in fact, you could say he struggled a bit
with academics. He and his mother and
sister had just moved into a new housing unit when a drive by shooting had
taken place. His mom’s rented car got
hit so she had to report the incident to the police. The next day, this boy had come home and his
mom was not there, she had been in the emergency room due to a visit from the
shooters and a bottle broken over her head.
The following day in school, he had taken an exam and did pretty
well. His teacher, knowing his situation
had asked him how he managed to do so well with all the stress he had at home
and he said “mindfulness helps me to focus”.
Laura and I
started this non-profit 5 years ago with the thought that if every child
practiced mindfulness every day throughout their pre-K through 12 years, they
would improve their academic success and their life success. The achievement
gap and school to prison pipeline would be things for the history books. We
believe, and initial research is showing, that mindfulness could be the most
impactful social justice and peace initiative of our time.
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