CANTON, Ohio — Schools across the country are trying to find ways to address the nationwide youth mental health crisis. One method that started in Cincinnati uses classical music to help fight anxiety and stress by teaching a lesson in mindfulness -- and now schools everywhere are adopting the program.
It's called "Mindful Music Moments." The calm and focus program was created by The Well non-profit.
Its being used in Canton City Schools now.
"In Northeast Ohio we partner with the Cleveland Orchestra and also the Canton Symphony Orchestra and Cleveland," Art Administrator at The Well, Bryce Kessler, said. "This is actually one of our largest areas where we have over a hundred schools and classrooms signed up for mindful music."
Canton City Schools partnered with the Cleveland Orchestra and the Canton Symphony to bring world-class music to students, teachers and staff after the morning announcements.
In the last year, the school was looking for an easy way to help students re-focus for the day without taking away from instructional time. Mindful Music Moments only takes three to four minutes.
"Music is such an important part of all of our cultures and something that has an impact far beyond just the making or listening of music," said Seneca Block, University Hospitals Connor Whole Health music therapist. "It's something that helps our emotional selves. It's something that helps our physical selves and something that's really crucial in child development."
Research shows that practicing mindfulness for a few minutes at least once a day sets students up for success when it comes to navigating anxiety, stress and remaining focused both in and out of the classroom.
After implementing the program one year ago, Worley Elementary Principal Jennifer Stokoe tells 3News the results are really starting to show as student performance is progressing.
"Our test scores have been growing since last year and everything just keeps improving. When we look at our trend data between 2022 and now, the trends are just increasing in every area."
Stokoe says the new morning routine helps to start the school day every morning.
"Learning about the different genres and there's music from Disney and they know it, they'll say, 'I know that song,' and connecting that to their experience was really exciting."
And students look forward to it.
"Mindful Music makes me feel like I'm ready for the day and I'm calm," Worley student Capri Boiner said. "It helps us relax and get ready for the day so we're not really hyper."