Contemplative Science, Education and Child Development: Introduction to the Special Section

Contemplative science is a transdisciplinary project aimed at understanding the effects of various kinds of mental and physical training (such as mindfulness meditation and tai chi) on the body, brain, and mind at different stages of the lifespan. As such, the goals of contemplative science are to create new knowledge regarding human plasticity and to generate new forms of human services that optimize development. This Special Section introduces readers to new applications of contemplative science in the areas of child development and education. Collectively, the articles explore the prospects for designing age-appropriate forms of secular contemplative trainings that scaffold the development of executive function, emotion regulation, empathy, and compassion in children, adolescents, and the adults who serve them in educational settings alike.