The kids are not alright, noted Goldie Hawn, Founder of MindUP and The Goldie Hawn Foundation, with the confluence of stressors and global problems they face. Hawn realized that children are not accessing the joy within themselves and that was contributing seriously to adverse mental health events. Working with experts, she helped to develop a scientifically-backed series of classroom lesson plans that help build capacity for self-regulation. To date, 47 countries have accessed this method.
Nicole Carroll, News President and Editor in Chief of USA TODAY, asked Hawn to describe children’s stress levels post-COVID. Hawn explained that children are expressing a lot of anxiety right now, so parents need to be honest and open. Children will mirror what they see so maintaining positivity is crucial. Ending with a discussion on mindfulness, Hawn noted that her practice of mindfulness and meditation was helpful in addressing her own anxiety, and scientific studies back up the data.
“Obviously, children have been through something very traumatic, as has the entire world.”
Nicole Carroll, President, News and Editor in Chief, USA TODAY
“If we can create a community of trust and creativity in our classrooms, they can take it outside as well. Imagine the impact that can have on our world.”
Goldie Hawn, Founder, MindUP, The Goldie Hawn Foundation
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