Conference for Contemplative Practices to Promote Child and Family Well-Being

The Center for Child and Family Well-Being and the Center for Investigating Health Minds (CIHM) bring their complementary expertise to evaluating secular methods for cultivating kindness, empathy and other pro-social characteristics in both children and parents, especially in families experiencing risk conditions.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is involved in important discoveries that enable children and families to experience more balance and calm in their lives by transforming their brains using techniques derived from contemplative practices. The Center for Child and Family Well-Being and the Center for Investigating Health Minds (CIHM) bring their complementary expertise to evaluating secular methods for cultivating kindness, empathy and other pro-social characteristics in both children and parents, especially in families experiencing risk conditions; understanding how these methods can be applied; and determining the impact of such practices in fostering resilience and preventing later detrimental outcomes. To help share the benefits of such training with people across the nation, the University of Wisconsin’s School of Human Ecology has initiated a major program designed to promote the development of positive, healthy behavior in children and families throughout the lifespan: The Family Well-being and Mind-Body-Relationships Initiative.

As part of the larger initiative, the Contemplative Practices to Promote Child and Family Well-Being Conference will bring together scholars and practitioners whose work is designed to enhance the well-being of children and families through secular contemplative practices such as mindfulness and meditation.

Speakers include Richard Davidson (UW-Madison), Mark Greenberg (Penn State), Larissa Duncan (University of California, San Francisco), Robert Roeser (Portland State), Trish Boderick (Penn State) and Philip Zelazo (University of Minnesota). There will be a poster session for researchers, students, and practitioners to share their work. Scott Anderson of Alignment Yoga (Madison, WI) will provide morning yoga sessions. Please bring your own yoga mat if you plan on practicing.