University Support and Validation of EFT
There have been numerous scientific and educational studies and papers written over the years about EFT and Tapping, including research conducted by prestigious educational institutions such as Harvard Medical School, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and in Australia, Bond University.
Most recently, Charles Darwin University in Casuarina, Northern Territory, Australia, published a PhD research thesis by Dr. Margaret Lambert, a registered psychologist, titled “The Tapping Project: Introducing Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) to reduce anxiety and improve well-being in primary school students”.
According to the thesis, this was the first EFT study conducted with primary school children aged 11 to 12.
Dr. Lambert shares in her thesis, “The primary focus of this research was children's wellbeing, with the purpose of evaluating Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), or tapping, to ascertain whether students' anxiety may be reduced, and their wellbeing improved, when tapping is applied in a class setting.”
The study involved eight classes, with a total of 138 students, and nine Grade 6 teachers across four schools, who participated in the EFT intervention over two stages. The teachers received two hours of training and delivered 2-3 minute tapping sessions three times a day for four weeks.
The results revealed that both students and teachers felt tapping should be introduced to all primary school students. “In addition to calming effects, students felt the benefits of tapping extended to focus and concentration and a reduction in physical discomfort.”
Dr. Lambert notes, “In general, teachers perceived that students embraced tapping from the beginning of the project, and often students in both stages of the project would remind teachers about tapping sessions, if the teacher had not remembered.”
One teacher, Maria, shared her experience: “I was [thinking]: Oh it's going to be a drag, they're not going to want to do it—and they didn't quite understand. And then after a week, they were like: 'Miss, we've got to do tapping!'”
Another teacher, Sheila added, “...they were really eager to do it. They were like, in the morning: 'We've gotta do tapping before we do anything else.'” Maria also noted, “...they would remind me if I forgot.”
Empowering Kids to Thrive: The Role of Targeted EFT
in Building Emotional Resilience
The growing body of research, including Dr. Lambert’s pioneering study, highlights the profound impact Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) can have on children’s emotional wellbeing. As shown in the study, EFT not only helps to reduce anxiety but also improves focus, concentration, and overall physical comfort—essential factors in a child's ability to succeed both in and out of the classroom.
Helping Kids Rise and Shine builds upon these insights by offering practical, easy-to-implement strategies for using EFT to support children in managing stress, overcoming anxiety, and cultivating a positive mindset. By integrating tapping into daily routines, parents, educators, and caregivers can empower children to rise above challenges and shine with confidence.
This book is an invitation to explore how tapping can be a tool for emotional resilience and well-being, providing kids with the foundation they need to thrive in all aspects of their lives.
References:
Lambert, M. T. (2020). The Tapping Project: Introducing Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) to reduce anxiety and improve wellbeing in primary school students. Abstract from thesis. Accessed March 2021. https://researchers.cdu.edu.au/en/studentTheses/the-tapping-project
Lambert, M. T. (2020). The Tapping Project: Introducing Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) to reduce anxiety and improve wellbeing in primary school students. Charles Darwin University. Thesis, 35605334, Page 199. https://researchers.cdu.edu.au/en/studentTheses/the-tappingproject
Paul Boulton
