MindUP for Young Children
Photo (L-R): Nicole Vlasman (Communications Coordinator), Sue Kim (Project Manager), Mostafa Shokoohi (Data Analyst), Terry Spencer (LDCSB Research and Evaluation Officer), Sandra Savage (LDCSB Mental Health lead and Social Work Supervisor), Courtney Cadieux (PhD Student), Emilia Pacholec (MA Student), Sarah Wells (Research Coordinator), Melissa Read (MA Student), Karen Bax (Director, Mary J. Wright Research and Education Centre at Merrymount), Claire Crooks (Director, Centre for School Mental Health)
The MindUP for Young Children project is implementing and evaluating an evidence-based, mindfulness-informed social-emotional learning intervention within a trauma-informed framework at the London District Catholic School Board and Merrymount Family Support and Crisis Centre. This project has been made possible through a financial contribution from the Public Health Agency of Canada and Ontario's Local Poverty Reduction Fund.
The project builds on MindUP, which is a universal, school-based education program that incorporates neuroscience, mindful awareness, and positive psychology in 15 teacher-led lessons. These lessons integrate attentional, self-regulatory, and social-emotional strategies for children. Lesson topics include: How Our Brains Work, Mindful Listening, Perspective Taking, Choosing Optimism, and Expressing Gratitude.
The MindUP lessons are also adapted into parent sessions and implemented with Merrymount families in concurrent weekly sessions for parents and young children. There is also a component where the parents and children work together to help reinforce transferring the skills to their everyday lives.
The Trauma-Informed Framework informs educators on why they should meet their children’s needs, even if challenged with external stressors and adversity. The MindUP program helps educators learn how to stay attuned and responsive in their relationships with their children.
Led by Dr. Claire Crooks and Dr. Karen Bax, the MindUP for Young Children project is entering the final year of implementation research funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada. Please find results, publications, and reports from previous years below.
Training & Presentations
Training- Partnering to Implement an Evidence-Based SEL Program Within a Trauma-Informed Framework
- Perspectives on Learning: MindUP™ as Scaffolding for Young Children's Self-Regulation for Learning
- Building Trauma-Sensitive Schools | French
Presentations
- Trauma-Informed Training: Changes in Educator Attitudes and Self-Efficacy
- Faculty Research Partners Day 2019
Research Snapshots
- Improving Teacher Attitudes and Preventing Teacher Burnout Through Trauma-Informed Training and MindUP
- Improving Young Children's Adaptive Skills and Behaviour Through MindUP
Reports & Media
Reports- 2016-2017 - Pilot of MindUP in LDCSB Kindergarten Classes
- 2017-2018 - MindUP in LDCSB
- 2018-2019 - MindUP in LDCSB
Videos
