Research

MindUP is a Data Driven, Evidence-Based, Accredited Program

MindUP places a high value on ensuring that our program is grounded in research. With more than ten years of independent research, including four randomized control trials, MindUP has been extensivley studied.

MindUP is an evidence-based program grounded in:

Neuroscience

Mindful Awareness

Positive Psychology

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)

MindUP Research Highlights

Children who have received MindUP showed the following outcomes:

Better stress regulation as assessed by the stress hormone, cortisol.

Improved academic performance, especially in math and language arts.

More prosocial, trustworthy, and liked by their peers.

Enhanced tools and strategies for self-regulation.

Demonstrated positive effects on reducing aggression and managing stress.

Increased optimism and happiness.

Schonert-Reichl & Lawlor, 2010; Schonert-Reichl et al., 2015.

Research Studies Timeline

What the Research Says

Students who received the MindUP program, compared to their peers who did not, had significant improvements across multiple areas including:

Improved attention

Improved stress physiology, as measured by the hormone, cortisol

Improved peer ratings of kindness, pro-socialness, and peer acceptance

Improved academics

Schonert-Reichl K.A., Oberle, E., Lawlor, M.S., Abbitt, D., Thomson, K., Oberlander, T.F., & Diamond, A. (2015). Enhancing cognitive and social-emotional development through a simple-to administer mindfulness-based school program for elementary school children: A randomized controlled trial. Developmental Psychology, 51, 52-66.

Learn More about our Evidence-Based Program

Hear from our Experts

Kimberly A. Schonert-Reichl, PhD, What Does the Research Show

Molly Stewart Lawlor, PhD, The Four Scientific Pillars of MindUP

Lara Boyd, PT, PhD, The Science Behind MindUP

Explore our Case Studies and Stories of Impact

Little Ealing Assembly

Case Study: London, England

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Case Study: West Rise

London, England

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School District: Coatesville

Case Study: Pennsylvania, USA

Our Minds Matter

A film produced with students from Australia

Watch the Video

Keep Your MindUP with Rockyview Schools

Hear from students in Alberta, Canada

Watch the Video

What Parents are Saying

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“With my hand on my heart, I can truly say MindUP has transformed and changed the climate of our school. MindUP is not just a program but a way of being.”

Sam Goodlad, Principal, Australia

“Real world, every day experiences helped students understand the difference between mindful and unmindful. Examples like holding the door for someone at Wawa got students thinking about times they have experienced people being unmindful or they have been unmindful themselves.”

Eighth Grade Teacher

“My fourth grade class loved the mindful smelling activities! We took the opportunity to share connections we have made to places or experiences from simple scents. Many of the kids shared smells from their grandparents’ houses, seasonal activities, etc. I was impressed with the dialogue that took place after the ‘secret smelling’ activity that we did!”

Fourth Grade Teacher

“I think the lessons have been going super! The kids are using the brain language and understanding the function of the three parts. For example, we talk about calming our amygdala after lunch and recess. I have heard them using the terms in their everyday talk. So far it is going really great. I don’t have anything that hasn’t worked yet.”

Kindergarten Teacher

“MindUp provides consistent and ongoing opportunities for students to practice their social emotional learning skills. As a CASEL SELect program it has extensive research to back its effectiveness.”

Jane Tasker

“Social emotional learning is as important for students as academic learning. The MindUP Curriculum beautifully combines both by teaching our students about their brains while they learn important skills that create joyful and harmonious classrooms.”

Rita D. Perez

“One of my pupils was suffering from depression. He’d never has a friend due to some language processing problems. During the gratitude practice, he heard how important he was to other boys in the class. The difference was extraordinary, and his parents say he is so much happier and now has children come over to play.”

Barbara K

“An unexpected outcome of the application of the MindUP curriculum is the impact on the well-being of our staff. Through planning and application of the MindUp lessons in their classroom, staff have found a positive impact on themselves personally. It is as if MindUP has an adult SEL outcome through use. Staff are better able to bring their best self to the classroom and home each day. ”

Assistant Superintendant