The effect of contemplative practices in children from the Peraj Program of the University of Quintana Roo.

Abstract

can be brought applying contemplative practices in that field. This research provides some insight about this statement. The general objective is to explore the changes that may have occurred in children after being exposed to contemplative practices. Additionally, its purpose is to investigate children’s preference in practices and to identify if children develop empathy that motivate them to apply these practices in their life and share them with people from their social environment.

The research has a qualitative action research design. Three instruments were used to collect data: Two semi-structured interviews and The Stress Scale (Shapiro & Sprague 2009). The participants were a group of 10 children with an age range age of 10 to 12 years old who were part of the Peraj Program of the University of Quintana Roo. It was a six-week intervention of sessions of 45 minutes where children were exposed to different contemplative practices. The Stress Scale was used in each session while the interviews were applied at the end of the program.

The results revealed that, according to parents, children experienced changes related to well-being, academic achievement and social competence features. Children demonstrated a remarkable reduction of stress after each session. Moreover, children demonstrated preference for two practices: Coloring Mandalas and Mindful Eating. Finally, they developed empathy that they were willing to share the benefits with their social environment.