Question: What must teachers who want to teach HeartMath tools and techniques to students do? What about counselors, school psychologists interested in using these tools and techniques at their schools do?
Answer: Teachers may use HeartMath’s supplemental learning programs such as TestEdge®, HeartSmarts® and the Inside Story Classroom Program in their classes. All of these have straightforward instructions to guide teachers in presenting the materials. Go to HeartMath Classroom Programs for details about the various programs tailored for specific age groups.
The Qualified Instructor Program® licenses professionals to present the Resilient Educator® workshop, to teachers, school counselors, psychologists and other school staff in the use of HeartMath tools, techniques and products such as the emWave® Stress Relief System, in their work with students. Learn more here: Qualified Instructor Program.
Question: Do you have a presentation or literature about HeartMath that I can give to my school director or to my administrator?
Answer: Yes, we have brochures specially designed for educators. Please e-mail us at info@heartmath.org to submit your request for an e-version or printed copy.
Question: Do you have any research that validates your work in schools?
Answer: Please go to HeartMath in Education for a complete overview of HeartMath in education, for scientific research on IHM’s learning programs, tools, techniques and technology and information about IHM’s landmark study, the TestEdge® National Demonstration Study, funded by the U.S. Department of Education go to Educational research publications.
Question: Does HeartMath have grants for schools or teachers who want to provide your programs?
Answer: The following section of our Web site covers grant applications and funding and can help you in writing a grant request to help fund HeartMath programs: Grant Applications.
Question: Do you have educational discounts?
Answer: Yes, we offer quantity discounts for educators, including for the highly acclaimed TestEdge® and HeartSmarts® programs. Call HeartMath toll free in the U.S. at (800) 711-6221 or e-mail us at info@heartMath.org for more information.
Question: Do you have scholarships?
Answer: The Heart-Based Education Sponsorship Fund, which is supported by donations, helps put IHM’s life-changing educational programs and unique technology into the hands of students and teachers who otherwise would not have access to them. The fund is intended to educate students about the effects of positive emotions to improve student learning, promote positive classroom and social behavior, equip teachers with highly effective tools to help their students succeed and instill greater confidence and inspiration in teachers. Go to Heart-Based Education Sponsorship Fund.
Question: Does HeartMath provide any assistance to Ph.D candidates with their dissertations?
Answer: The IHM Research Division spends considerable time each year assisting graduate students at a number of academic institutions with their doctoral dissertations. Please e-mail us at info@heartmath.org for any requests.
Question: With what ages can the emWave technology be used?
Answer:Both the emWave PC/Mac Stress Relief System and the handheld emWave PSR are recommended for children beginning about 8 years of age through adults to reduce stress levels, manage emotions, overcome test anxiety and improve overall academic success and much more. For complete details about the revolutionary and scientifically tested and proven emWave, visit emWave Technology.
Question: Can the emWave PC/Mac Personal Stress Relief System be used in schools or for education?
Answer: Absolutely. The emWave PC/Mac learning programs have helped thousands of students and educators improve their learning and teaching experiences. To learn what people are saying about the emWave, check out the following pages: emWave PC Success Stories; More Success Stories. Read about the amazing, easy-to-use emWave PC/Mac and the handheld emWave Personal Stress Relieve at emWave Technology.
Question: What programs do you have for children?
Answer: HeartMath classroom programs start at grades 3-5.
HeartSmarts® highly touted social and emotional learning curriculum bridges academic and emotional learning, teaching students to manage stress, improve learning and strengthen relationships. Go to HeartSmarts for more information, and look for the launch of HeartSmarts’ classroom program for preschoolers and kindergarteners in fall 2008.
TestEdge® learning programs have been scientifically developed and proven to help bridge emotions and academics for student success. Individually tailored to meet the needs of various age levels, beginning with grades 3-5, TestEdge can reduce test anxiety and improve test scores, learning readiness, attitudes and behavior problems. Go to TestEdge for more information.
Question: How can IHM help students with test anxiety? Adults?
Answer: Yes, HeartMath has many solutions and products specifically developed for and proven to reduce test anxiety, which is known to affect the youngest learners through college students and older adults pursuing further learning. Check out these pages for help in reducing test anxiety and improving test-taking and the overall educational experience:
Reducing Text Anxiety; Adult learning Programs; emWave Technology for Reducing Stress and Improving Performance
and emWave Mac.
Question: I think I might have test anxiety. What exactly is it and is it rare?
Answer: Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Test anxiety affects nearly everyone. Typically, before and during a test, we experience a degree of nervousness or anxiety over how we’ll perform. For many of us, it’s almost as if our brains shut down and we can’t recall information we know we’ve learned, or we may doubt whether we learned it at all. Some test questions might not look familiar and we may completely overlook others. IHM Director of Research Rollin McCraty explains that emotions such as anxiety,
frustration and anger inhibit mental and physical performance because they cause the rhythmic activity in our nervous systems to get out of sync, in turn adversely affecting our ability to think clearly. For more analysis of how stress causes test anxiety and what HeartMath’s TestEdge® Learning Programs can do to help, go to Test Anxiety and TestEdge® and The Science Behind TestEdge.
Question: I’ve heard people say TestEdge can help reduce test anxiety. What evidence is there that it works?
Answer: The TestEdge methods of reducing test anxiety and actually raising test scores have been developed over more than 19 years of scientific research into stress and the physiology of learning and after comprehensive studies with students and educators. The groundbreaking and nationally recognized TestEdge National Demonstration Study, funded by the U.S. Department of Education, provided definitive evidence that TestEdge could reduce test anxiety and help raise student test scores.
Studies also show increases in overall academic performance and social success with family and friends. Learn more at Test Anxiety and TestEdge® and The Science Behind TestEdge.
Question: Are TestEdge programs only for school classrooms? Is there anything for home use?
Answer: Absolutely. There is a full line of TestEdge products for classroom and home use. Now adolescents through adult learners can benefit from the TestEdge Interactive CD Learning Programs right from their home computers. The TestEdge methods in the home-use programs are the same as for the classroom and you get the added benefit of practicing them in the privacy of your own home at times that may be more convenient for you. Go to TestEdge to learn more.
Question: What options or strategies does HeartMath have for dealing with ADHD?
Answer: Parents, teachers and therapists have reported excellent success with HeartMath tools and technology for children with ADHD. For details and a very informative article on how HeartMath can help, go to Help with ADHD.
Question: Can you refer me to a HeartMath instructor?
Answer: Please visit the following page to Find Licensed Resilient Educator Instructors. Qualified Instructors.
Question: Our teachers are hearing a lot about emotional intelligence in educational literature. Does HeartMath have a philosophical view on the subject? Will HeartMath programs develop or accelerate emotional intelligence?
Answer: A central focus of research and development at the Institute of HeartMath has been and continues to be emotional and heart intelligence and the power of each of us to improve our lives as we learn to manage our emotions and tap the wisdom and guidance of our hearts. Research done by HeartMath and independently has shown a direct link between a student’s ability to self-manage emotions, and academic performance. Those who are more self-aware and socially and emotionally competent are more confident and energetic about their learning abilities. For an overview of HeartMath’s viewpoint on education, visit our Education Overview page.
Qualified Instructor Program
Question: What is the Qualified Instructor Program training and what do you provide with it?
Answer: The Qualified Instructor Program® is a train-the-trainer program for trainers, educators consultants and others to provide HeartMath training in educational settings. For more information, go to HeartMath Training. The program’s Resilient Educator® professional development programs teaches educators and those in the educational sector HeartMath skills for stress reduction, improving performance and resiliency.
Question: If I obtain a Qualified Instructor license, how long will it be good for? Will I need to be re-certified?
Answer: Your license is good for three years. Then you must attend a requalification program. Learn more about the QIP License here.
Question: How can I apply for the Qualified Instructor Program?
Answer: You may complete and submit an application online: QIP Application.
Question: Can I teach HeartMath tools in public classes, workshops or seminars?
Answer: Yes, but only in schools and educational settings. Learn more about the QIP License here.
Question: Can HeartMath techniques be modified?
Answer: No. IHM researchers have developed these techniques after many years of scientific investigation and testing. They are easy to learn, but their effectiveness depends on practicing them as directed.
Question: Do you have financial aid, scholarship funds or grants to help people become Qualified Instructors?
Answer: The Institute of HeartMath is interested in providing assistance when possible to those in organizations who wish to promote heart-based living by teaching HeartMath in their educational setting. Toward that end, we have established the Heart-Based Education Sponsorship Fund, which is supported by contributions from members and supporters. Please visit our information page for the Heart-Based Education Sponsorship Fund to learn more, including how you, your organization or educational institution may qualify fill out an application or e-mail your request to candidate@heartmath.org.
Question: Can I teach HeartMath techniques in my classroom?
Answer: You may use HeartMath’s supplemental learning programs such as TestEdge, HeartSmarts and the Inside Story Classroom Program in your classes. You also may become qualified to teach HeartMath techniques and provide its programs in your classroom, school or educational setting by participating in the Qualified Instructor Program and becoming a Licensed Instructor. Learn how at Teach HeartMath in the Classroom.
Question: Do you offer a telecourse for the Qualified Instructor program or online courses?
Answer: The Qualified Instructor Program is offered only at the Institute of HeartMath’s campus in Boulder Creek, Calif. We believe it is important to have a one-on-one relationship with program participants to ensure optimal understanding and learning of HeartMath programs, tools, techniques and technology. For complete details about the program visit QIP Program.
Question: Can you refer me to a licensed HeartMath education instructor?
Answer: Here is a list of Qualified Instructors in the U.S. and Canada: Qualified Instructors.
