Mindfulness is gaining traction in American schools – but it isn’t clear what students are learning

Sixth grade students start their science class with five minutes of meditation at George Washington Middle School in Alexandria, Va., in February 2020. Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post via Getty Images

Writing, reading, math and mindfulness? That last subject is increasingly joining the three classic courses, as more young students in the United States are practicing mindfulness, meaning focusing on paying attention to the present moment without judgment.

In the past 20 years in the U.S., mindfulness transitioned from being a new-age curiosity to becoming a more mainstream part of American culture, as people learned more about how mindfulness can reduce their stress and improve their well-being.