There is so much on a teacher's plate right now that the thought of adding more can be overwhelming. When it comes to supporting student's mental health it should never stress out the teacher -- that kinda defeats the whole point! Here are 5 ways you can introduce and support your student's mental health that can be implemented as soon as tomorrow!
1.) Calm Down Corner
Defined by teacherstarter.com a calm down corner in a classroom is a designated space where students can go to manage their emotions, practice self-regulation and find a sense of calm when they are feeling overwhelmed or upset. A calming corner can go by other names (regulation zone, chill out zone or corner, peace corner, quiet corner, regulation station, vacation station) and it doesn't have to be in a corner! Calming corners can be setup anywhere away from students desks or learning spaces.
It is recommended for calming corners to have soft, warm colors present with comfy seating. The corner should incorporate emotional awareness in the form of posters, age-appropriate books, and sensory items like fidgets, stress balls, and sensory bottles. Noise canceling headphones can also be useful.
Using the calm down corner should come with set rules and expectations clearly given to students before putting it to use. Guidelines can include a set number of students at a time, a time limit as it is meant to be used for short periods of time, a silent or level 0 environment, and to respect privacy of students using the calm down corner. Students should be instructed to not talk to students utilizing the calm down corner or ask why a student is in the calm down corner.
A calm down corner can help students regulate their emotions and also de-escalate behavior to build better relationships with students and make for a better classroom culture and environment.
2.) Just Listen Activity
Transitioning between tasks can be challenging for students, especially when it's a desired task! The same holds true for adults. We'd much rather continue working on an art project than transition to answering emails! The Just Listen Mindfulness activity from weareteachers.com can help.
Complete this activity while transitioning from one subject to another. "Use this strategy to help your students re-focus. First, ask students to close their eyes. Then, tell them to focus on noticing what they hear. These can be sounds in their mind or in the room. Encourage them not to judge but to notice. Once they open their eyes, ask them to jot down some of the sounds they heard."
Since this is a mindfulness activity it teaches students about mindfulness which is simply the practice of focusing on the environment around them. Doing this during a transition, which can be stressful, gives them this tool to use in other stressful situations - and can be used in the calm down corner too!
3.) Stop Technique
Another great mindfulness activity is the Stop Technique. When students enter the classroom after recess or lunch they can be riled up, have all of the energy in the world, and refocusing can be a struggle. If you are having one of those days where your students are bouncing off the walls try this.
Instruct students to enter the room and observe what they see, smell, and can hear and then similarly to the Just Listen Activity have them jot it all down. Being that this is a mindfulness activity having them focus on their senses can help them calm down and refocus. This is also similar to grounding techniques used for individuals suffering with anxiety and panic attacks. Being taught it in this way can give students the tool to use when they feel stressed out or anxious.
4.) Five Fingers of Gratitude
Another mindfulness activity from weareteachers.com is the Five Fingers of Gratitude. Teaching gratitude can help students when they feel like nothing is going their way that they still have so much going for them.
Have students put up five fingers and then as you put one finger down at a time have students silently consider what they are grateful for. It can be as complex as having great parents or as simple as it being nacho day in the cafeteria. Giving them this perspective to be grateful for the big and little things can help them cope when things don't go as planned in their personal and professional lives.
5.) Emotional Regulation Worksheets:
Teaching study skills, reading skills or time management skills to students is very common. Emotional regulation skills can also be taught! Click the link below to view a variety of worksheets that can be printed and used in any classroom. I recommend implementing them as "finished early" activities or for extra credit.
I hope you've found these ideas and resources useful and easy to implement in your classroom. Comment below if you have found success with any of these ideas or if you have ideas to add! Happy teaching!
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