Feasibility of a Mindfulness Program for Rural Family Childcare Homes Early Childhood Education Professionals
Presenter Type
UNO Graduate Student (Masters)
Major/Field of Study
Health and Kinesiology
Other
Health and Kinesiology
Advisor Information
Dr. Danae Dinkel
Location
MBSC Ballroom Poster # 501 - G (Masters)
Presentation Type
Poster
Start Date
24-3-2023 9:00 AM
End Date
24-3-2023 10:15 AM
Abstract
Background: Early Childhood Education Professionals (ECEPs) experience a variety of physical and mental wellbeing challenges. Certain practices, such as mindfulness, can mitigate the severity of these challenges. The HERE For You For Them (HERE) program provides evidence-based mindfulness tools to aid in emotional resilience for ECEPs and the children in their care. While the HERE program has been used in childcare centers, it is unclear whether the program is feasible in family childcare homes due to limited staff and differing care structures (mixed age groups).
Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the feasibility of the HERE program by ECEPs within rural family childcare homes.
Methods: The 16-week HERE program consisted of monthly trainings delivered via Zoom with additional material sent out via e-mail and through the HERE app. Each month ECEPs were provided a monthly topic, mantra, breathing technique, yoga poses, and related activities. Bi-weekly surveys were sent to capture which activities ECEPs were using. Feasibility was assessed through a post semi-structured interview. Descriptive statistics were calculated for survey data and interview data were analyzed using a directed content analysis approach.
Results: In the bi-weekly surveys, meditation, yoga, and breathing were the most often reported daily activities used. Meditation and yoga poses were reported to take 5-10 minutes to implement and breathing76% of ECEPs said all activities were easy. The semi structured interviews revealed that most ECEPs felt breathing was their favorite activity to implement because it didn’t take much time. While half of ECEPs enjoyed the yoga poses, the other half found it challenging to implement due to the wide age range or behavior of the children. Overall, a majority of providers felt the HERE activities provided a sense of calmness or relaxation.
Conclusion: ECEPs implemented activities that required little time, material, and the least amount of mastery. Future research should examine the effectiveness of the HERE program in improving ECEPs wellbeing in family childcare homes.
Scheduling
9:15-10:30 a.m.
Feasibility of a Mindfulness Program for Rural Family Childcare Homes Early Childhood Education Professionals
MBSC Ballroom Poster # 501 - G (Masters)
Background: Early Childhood Education Professionals (ECEPs) experience a variety of physical and mental wellbeing challenges. Certain practices, such as mindfulness, can mitigate the severity of these challenges. The HERE For You For Them (HERE) program provides evidence-based mindfulness tools to aid in emotional resilience for ECEPs and the children in their care. While the HERE program has been used in childcare centers, it is unclear whether the program is feasible in family childcare homes due to limited staff and differing care structures (mixed age groups).
Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the feasibility of the HERE program by ECEPs within rural family childcare homes.
Methods: The 16-week HERE program consisted of monthly trainings delivered via Zoom with additional material sent out via e-mail and through the HERE app. Each month ECEPs were provided a monthly topic, mantra, breathing technique, yoga poses, and related activities. Bi-weekly surveys were sent to capture which activities ECEPs were using. Feasibility was assessed through a post semi-structured interview. Descriptive statistics were calculated for survey data and interview data were analyzed using a directed content analysis approach.
Results: In the bi-weekly surveys, meditation, yoga, and breathing were the most often reported daily activities used. Meditation and yoga poses were reported to take 5-10 minutes to implement and breathing76% of ECEPs said all activities were easy. The semi structured interviews revealed that most ECEPs felt breathing was their favorite activity to implement because it didn’t take much time. While half of ECEPs enjoyed the yoga poses, the other half found it challenging to implement due to the wide age range or behavior of the children. Overall, a majority of providers felt the HERE activities provided a sense of calmness or relaxation.
Conclusion: ECEPs implemented activities that required little time, material, and the least amount of mastery. Future research should examine the effectiveness of the HERE program in improving ECEPs wellbeing in family childcare homes.