Whether in school or virtual learning, we all need to take the time to calm down and learn strategies that cater to us. Going back to school is always exciting, but for some students it can be frustrating, and a new experience. There are so many ways that we can teach students how to calm down, and even use in the classroom, at home, and while virtually learning.
Many students don’t know what it means when someone says “you need to calm down,” what does that look like? Students can become more frustrated or agitated when they hear those words, instead replacing it with something they can do that is a coping skill would be much for beneficial. Such as, “take some time to go color,” “why don’t you go bounce on the ball,” or many other phrases that could be used to replace the phrase that children don’t often understand until later.
Teaching students how to identify their emotions will often times help them learn which coping skills work for them, and how they will work best in a given situation. By teaching and then practicing students are much more likely to use their coping skills when upset. Some coping skills are listen below, and are all things that can be worked on with students of any age.
- Take 10 deep breaths.
- Think happy thoughts.
- Count to 10.
- Squeeze a stress ball.
- Do some exercises.
- Get a drink of water.
- Read a book.
- Rock gently on a ball.
- Relax on pillows.
- Take a walk.
- Listen to music.
- Play quietly.
- Write in journal.
- Give yourself a hug.
- Use the swing.
- Draw a picture.
- Lay on the ball.
- Sit on air disc.
- Balance on a stool.
- Go to a quiet area.
Many people also can resort to a Coping Skills Toolbox, this is something that each student could make in the classroom or at home or things that can help calm them down. The students with the help of an adult can add things to a box that can assist in learning how to calm their anxiety, and learn to cope during difficult times.
Author: Elizabeth Vosseler, M.A. PPS ,School Psychologist/ERICS Therapist
