About
MindUP is a preventative mental health and social-emotional learning (SEL) program developed by The Goldie Hawn Foundation. Launched in 2003, it equips students, educators, and families with mental fitness tools grounded in neuroscience, mindful awareness, cognitive behavioral science, and positive psychology. The program's evidence-based curriculum ties each lesson directly to neurological development, focusing on the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala to help children better regulate emotions, improve focus, and develop empathy. At the core of the program is the MindUP Brain Break — a signature mindful awareness practice that helps students self-regulate throughout the school day. Accompanying content covers cognitive flexibility (adapting thinking and seeing multiple perspectives), stress management, kindness, optimism, and gratitude to build a positive school culture. MindUP also offers engaging media resources such as the animated series 'MindUP Brain Buddies' and the short film 'The Teen Brain' to make concepts accessible to students and families. The program has demonstrated measurable improvements in cortisol-based stress regulation, academic performance in math and language arts, and peer-rated prosocial behavior. Rigorous independent research sets MindUP apart from other SEL offerings. It is designed for classroom teachers, school counselors, and district administrators seeking a scalable, evidence-supported approach to student mental wellness. A free membership tier provides access to introductory resources, while premium product tiers offer full curriculum access.
Key Features
- Neuroscience-Based Curriculum: Each lesson maps to specific brain structures—prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala—to teach students how their brains work and how to self-regulate emotions and attention.
- MindUP Brain Break: A signature mindful awareness practice integrated into the school day that helps students pause, reset, and improve focus and emotional regulation.
- Positive Psychology Integration: Lessons incorporate kindness, gratitude, and optimism to foster a positive school culture and support students' long-term well-being.
- Engaging Media Resources: Animated videos like 'MindUP Brain Buddies' and the short film 'The Teen Brain' make complex neuroscience concepts accessible for students of all ages and their families.
- Evidence-Based Outcomes: Rigorously researched program with proven improvements in cortisol stress regulation, academic performance, and peer-rated prosocial behavior.
Use Cases
- K-12 schools implementing a school-wide social-emotional learning (SEL) program to improve student mental health and classroom behavior.
- Teachers integrating daily mindfulness and brain-regulation practices into their classroom routines to improve student focus and reduce stress.
- School counselors and psychologists using evidence-based curriculum to supplement mental health support for at-risk students.
- Parents and families using MindUP's free resources to reinforce emotional literacy and resilience skills introduced at school.
- School districts and education administrators seeking a research-validated, scalable preventative mental health program to deploy across multiple schools.
Pros
- 20+ Years of Research: Backed by over two decades of independent scientific research demonstrating measurable improvements in student mental health and academic outcomes.
- Holistic SEL Approach: Combines neuroscience, mindfulness, cognitive flexibility, and positive psychology into a cohesive curriculum that addresses multiple dimensions of student well-being.
- Free Membership Tier: Schools and families can access introductory resources at no cost, lowering the barrier to entry for under-resourced communities.
- Whole-School Scalability: Designed to be adopted school-wide, supporting teachers, counselors, administrators, and families with consistent, unified tools.
Cons
- Full Curriculum Behind Paywall: Comprehensive lesson plans and premium materials require a paid subscription, which may be a barrier for budget-constrained schools.
- Requires Teacher Training: Effective implementation depends on educator buy-in and proper training, which adds time and resource investment beyond the program cost.
- Limited Digital Interactivity: The platform is primarily curriculum-delivery and video-based, with limited adaptive or interactive digital learning tools compared to modern edtech platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age groups is MindUP designed for?
MindUP offers curriculum designed for students from early childhood through high school, with age-appropriate content tailored to different developmental stages, including a specific focus on the adolescent brain.
Is there a free version of MindUP?
Yes. MindUP offers a free membership that provides access to introductory resources, animated videos like 'MindUP Brain Buddies,' and select materials. Full curriculum access requires a paid product subscription.
What evidence supports MindUP's effectiveness?
MindUP has been evaluated in multiple independent studies showing improvements in cortisol-measured stress regulation, academic achievement in math and language arts, and increased prosocial behavior as rated by peers.
How is MindUP implemented in schools?
MindUP is designed for whole-school adoption. Teachers deliver structured lessons with direct neurological correlates, integrate the daily Brain Break practice, and use supporting media and family resources to reinforce learning at home.
Who founded MindUP?
MindUP was founded in 2003 by actress and philanthropist Goldie Hawn through The Goldie Hawn Foundation, with the mission of equipping children with the mental fitness tools they need to thrive.
