Helping Students Under Stress

I taught these 4 breathing techniques to my students a few weeks ago. Feedback from teachers and even a parent was really positive. Sometimes I think we, as adults tell kids to "calm down", but kids don't know how! And sometimes teachers aren't sure how to help kids calm down either.

These 4 techniques help students to slow their breathing and increase oxygen to the brain, therefore readying them to make better decisions and productively solve conflicts with others. I taught the S.T.A.R., balloon, drain and pretzel to each class and we practiced it together. I plan on doing the 4 techniques at the beginning of each lesson to get students comfortable with them and in the routine of recognizing when to use them. I left a poster with each teacher and asked them to put it in a place in their classroom where a child would be welcomed to go to "calm down" or "de-stress". I explained to students that they don't need to use all 4 techniques, in fact they will probably find one that works best or feels like a "good fit" for them, and prompted them to use it when they are feeling angry, overwhelmed, anxious or frustrated. I encouraged teachers who might notice a child feeling agitated to welcome him or her to take a break and use one of the breathing techniques, then join the activity again when they are feeling more capable and ready to learn.

Here is a link to the Conscious Discipline webpage that you can find the icons as well as a description of the techniques. Just click the green "download PDF" at the bottom of the webpage. You will get many pages; one with all 4 icons on it (the poster I gave to teachers), one icon on each page, and then the explanation of the techniques.

http://consciousdiscipline.com/resources/safe_place_breathing_icons.asp

(I am also using this in individual counseling with students who are easily overwhelmed, anxious, and working through anger management issues.)

~ Tanya