As a father of three and the associate superintendent for Learning Services at West Bloomfield School District, Scott Long has seen the power of mindfulness in prevention firsthand.

By Stacey Winconek

From academic demands to social media comparisons to mental health challenges, today’s youth are growing up in a world filled with pressures that previous generations never had to navigate. They carry stress, anxiety, and the fear of not measuring up to standards. Over time, the pressure becomes too great, and many succumb to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as substance use disorder.

A growing body of research suggests that mindfulness can be a powerful tool in helping children develop healthier ways to cope with stress and anxiety. A 2024 study found that primary school children who practiced mindfulness meditation for just five minutes a day over 10 weeks showed improved self-regulation and reduced emotional and behavioral difficulties.

In the West Bloomfield School District, prevention starts in elementary school through yoga instruction focused on mindfulness and movement. By helping students recognize emotions, manage stress, and build resilience early in life, the program aims to strengthen healthy coping skills before more serious challenges emerge.

The program, which is made possible through a partnership between the Jamie Daniels Foundation and the Greater West Bloomfield Community Coalition (GWBCC), teaches children breathing strategies, positive self-talk, and calming techniques. It operates for eight weeks during intervention and enrichment periods to avoid disrupting core instruction. During the 2025-26 school year, more than 1,800 students participated in the program across four West Bloomfield elementary schools.

“I am forever grateful for the partnership and extremely thankful that our school district has these opportunities,” says Scott Long, associate superintendent for Learning Services at West Bloomfield School District. “It makes our jobs easier while also doing what’s right for kids. We feel incredibly indebted to the Jamie Daniels Foundation.”

Long, who is also the dad to an 11-year-old son and 7-year-old twin daughters, has had the unique experience of witnessing the impact of the mindfulness program on district students, but also on his own daughters, who have participated in mindfulness and movement. For starters, on the ride home from school on any given day, the girls may offer one-word responses when asked, “How was your day?” but on mindfulness and movement days, they are more likely to share their experiences without prompting from Long.

He’s seen their coping tools in action at home, too. “They have some self-talk, self-regulation strategies, some breathing strategies, and some things that allow them to step back,” Long says. “I have noticed the girls stepping back and being a little bit more mindful when it’s necessary.”

Inside the school walls, the yoga program’s impact has been positive. Teachers and administrators have noticed more students tapping into healthy coping tools and taking the opportunity to breathe and lean into their strategies. Practicing these skills when they are emotionally regulated makes it easier for children to tap into them when they’re angry, Long notes.

While academic achievement is integral to success, it’s not the only thing that will help a student succeed through adulthood.

“When you look at people who are highly successful in the workforce and great leaders in different organizations, one thing that is always clear is that they have great social-emotional skills. They know how to tap into emotional intelligence. They can read body language. They can read the mood of a room, and they know how to connect with people and build relationships,” Long says. “Our goals are to make sure that they’re fantastic academic students in all their content areas, that they move on to college, but along with all that, we want them to learn how to grow their emotional intelligence.”

Through the partnership between the West Bloomfield School District, the Greater West Bloomfield Community Coalition, and the Jamie Daniels Foundation, students are learning skills that extend far beyond the classroom. By teaching children how to manage stress, regulate emotions, and navigate life’s challenges, the program is helping build a foundation for healthier futures.

To learn more about the mindfulness and movement program, watch the video below: