Effects of Mindfulness on Preschoolers’ Impulsivity and Delayed Gratification: A Pilot Study
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Abstract
This study investigated the effects of a mindfulness-based intervention on preschoolers’ impulsivity and delayed gratification. A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design was adopted. The sample included 22 children aged between 4 and 5, their primary caregivers, and teachers. The participants were assigned to two groups: intervention (n = 11) and comparison (n = 11). A standardized scale measured impulsivity, and two tasks performed by the children evaluated tolerance to delayed gratification. The intervention comprised 26 sessions of mindfulness practices implemented in small groups at school. Practices included mindfulness of breathing and the body, among others. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, covariance analysis, and mixed-model ANOVA (2x2). The results showed that mindfulness practice decreased children’s impulsivity, as reported by the teachers. Mindfulness decreases impulsivity in the classroom; thus, it must also be practiced at home to achieve similar results in this specific context.
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