Let's Celebrate our Superkids and SuperStaff!
As mentioned in our last News, we have identified two areas of focus to improve with our students in the area of SEL: Self-Awareness and Self-Management. When students who have a deficit in these skills experience a high level of stress or frustration, it can result in poor responses such as defiance, aggression, or property damage. The following is data we have been tracking in these areas as we have targeted instruction in our classrooms to help students strengthen these skills. The months of September and October show the data which demonstrated that we needed to make a change. The beginning of November is when we put the morning routine changes into place.
As you can see, we have a lot to celebrate! The data is showing that what we have been doing is helping and students are starting to use their strategies. Accolades to our Superkids and SuperStaff!
Why a Focus on Breathing? (from the American Institute of Stress-AIS. 08/10/2012)
At AIS we are often asked, “What is the best way to relive my stress and relax?” Our typical answer includes an explanation that just as the definition of stress is different for everyone, so are “the best” stress reduction techniques. However, there is one “Super Stress Buster” that evokes the relaxation response that we widely recommend as useful for everyone- even kids. Can you guess what it is? BREATHING! That is right, simply breathing. It is free and can be practiced anywhere- I bet you are even breathing right now! The key, of course, is focused breathing.
The relaxation response is not lying on the couch or sleeping but a mentally active process that leaves the body relaxed, calm, and focused.
Abdominal breathing for 20 to 30 minutes each day will reduce anxiety and reduce stress. Deep breathing increases the supply of oxygen to your brain and stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes a state of calmness. Breathing techniques help you feel connected to your body—it brings your awareness away from the worries in your head and quiets your mind.
AIS endorses several breathing techniques and even a few tools that can be useful for progression in mastering your breathing, reconnecting your body and mind and stopping the stress response.
Here is one for kids from AIS: Teddy Bear Breathing- Lie on your back, place one hand on your chest and place your favorite teddy bear on your belly button. Close your eyes and relax your whole body. Breath in slowly through your nose. Your teddy bear should slowly rise, but your chest should not. When you have taken a full deep breath, hold it, count to three then slowly breathe out. Repeat a few times, until your feel relaxed.
Here is one of our Superkids' favorite morning videos for practicing breathing: