Gifted from the “Inside out”: Teaching mindfulness to high

In this pilot study, 24 gifted, elementary students in second to fifth grade enrolled in a large, diverse, urban public school were introduced to 10 mindfulness-based techniques that the students practiced in school. The students practiced the techniques for 10 weeks once per week for 30 minutes in the school’s media center under the guidance of the researchers and certified mindfulness instructors. Using qualitative data (interviews and observations), quantitative percentages of qualitative findings are reported. Results include increased enjoyment, calmness, heightened awareness, creativity, and minor discomfort and a gain in mindfulness competency. The need for further research and plans to proceed are discussed