Martial arts-based curriculum reduces stress, emotional, and behavioral problems in elementary schoolchildren during the COVID-19 pandemic: A pilot study.
MIND, BRAIN AND EDUCATION : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL MIND, BRAIN, AND EDUCATION SOCIETY 2022;
16:5-12. [PMID:
35669694 PMCID:
PMC9165706 DOI:
10.1111/mbe.12307]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
This exploratory study examined the impact of Heroes Circle, a martial arts-based curriculum on stress, emotional, and behavioral problems in elementary school children. While students completed classroom surveys at baseline, post-curriculum surveys were collected from teachers, students, and parents/guardians two and five months after COVID-19-related school shutdowns. Satisfaction with the curriculum was high among those who received the intervention. Children reported increased mindfulness and decreased stress over the school year. Most children (77%) were still using the program's techniques and reporting benefits five months later, including lower internalizing symptoms and COVID-19-related fears. These patterns were not observed at the control school.
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