Mindfulness education to help children thrive

Mental health

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

Since 2014, PY has been on a mission to provide holistic wellness practices in historically under-resourced communities throughout L.A. The COVID-19 pandemic exasperated on-going mental health challenges, including anxiety, stress, and depression affecting children grades TK-12th. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 87% of public schools reported that the pandemic has negatively impacted student socio-emotional development during the 2021–22 school year and 84% of public schools agreed that students’ behavioral development has also been negatively impacted. A 2022 LAUSD report found that mental health needs are soaring and that prevention and early intervention can have significant positive impact. Poor mental health affects learning by impacting attention, memory, motivation, and cognitive abilities, while also influencing social interactions and well-being. Addressing mental health in the formative years is crucial to help students thrive and succeed.

In 2021, PY launched its multi-year mindfulness program at The Accelerated Elem School (ACES) in South Central to provide students with tools to build resilience, and develop socially, mentally and emotionally. The program provides a safe and supportive learning environment to develop students' ability to cope with stress and anxiety, manage emotions, strengthen focus, build healthy relationships, and improve their overall physical, mental, and emotional health. Our culturally responsive, trauma informed, and mental health focused curriculum is centered on mindfulness, breathing techniques, meditation, social and emotional learning, coping skills, and other practices the students can access and benefit from for a lifetime. With the LA2050 award, PY will expand programming to 3 additional schools including Aldama & Frank del Olmo Elementary Schools, and The Accelerated School K-8 (TAS). The 6th graders who graduate from ACES feed into the TAS middle school and our program will support their mindfulness practice in grades 7 & 8. Each school site will receive a 10 week program with topics listed below: Program foundation & classroom expectations
Introduction to yoga & mindfulness
Fun & creative movement
Introduction to body awareness & self expression
Leadership, self-esteem, confidence
Take home tools to manage emotions Culture, identity & community building
Social & emotional learning Stress management & coping skills
Feedback and evaluative surveys

During the grant period we will provide mindfulness education to 2,000 students ages 4-14 across 3 schools in South, Central and East LA. Our vision for success is that the students will have tools to help them self-regulate, increase coping mechanisms and alleviate stress & anxiety. Schools that implement mindfulness programs report improved overall climate, including better student-teacher relationships, reduced disciplinary issues, and enhanced classroom environments which fosters a supportive school community. Each student then goes on to positively affect their families and neighborhoods.
Since 2021, we have implemented this program at 3 schools in a variety of formats and impacted approx 1,500 pupils, teachers, staff and their families. With this grant we will distribute our impact by expanding to 3 new schools and follow our ACES grads into middle school. This will set the foundation to develop multi-year programs at these sites and enhance the school culture with mindfulness.

We measure our program qualitatively & quantitatively to determine how to improve. We received feedback from teachers at ACES and found students use the breathing and movement techniques throughout the day to manage their emotions, stress and conflict. Teachers use the breathing tools with the students throughout the school year. ACES believes wholeheartedly in our program and has brought PY back annually since 2021. In 2022, our end of program survey resulted in 99% of K-2nd graders reporting that they were more Happy or Calm, while 94% said they have skills to handle their emotions, 63% said their favorite part was Resting and 47% said Meditating. The 3rd-6th graders had a 40% decrease in feelings of Stress and 40% increase in Calm.
Our instructors work together to ensure students meet expectations: - Proficiency in yoga & mindfulness
- Increase in self-awareness, empathy, cooperation & positive behavior
- Improve ability to focus, self-regulate, manage stress & emotions