Early childhood is marked by substantial development in the self-regulatory skills supporting school readiness and socioemotional competence. Evidence from developmental social cognitive neuroscience suggests that these skills develop as a function of changes in a dynamic interaction between more top-down (controlled) regulatory processes and more bottom-up (automatic) influences on behavior. Mindfulness training—using age-appropriate activities to exercise children's reflection on their moment-to-moment experiences—may support the development of self-regulation by targeting top-down processes while lessening bottom-up influences (such as anxiety, stress, curiosity) to create conditions conducive to reflection, both during problem solving and in more playful, exploratory ways.
The Potential Benefits of Mindfulness Training in Early Childhood: A Developmental Social Cognitive Neuroscience Perspective
Child Development Perspectives
Format:
Journal Article
Publication Year:
2012
Pages:
154–160
Source ID:
shanti-sources-21571
Zotero Collections:
Practitioner Context, Pediatrics and Contemplation, Contemplation by Applied Subject, Health Care and Contemplation, Psychology and Contemplation, Science and Contemplation
Abstract:
Subjects:
Pediatrics and Contemplation
Health Care and Contemplation
Practitioner Context
Psychology and Contemplation
Science and Contemplation
Contemplation by Applied Subject