Tagged With "activities"

As a student assistance counselor, I regularly receive flashy emails from various organizations promoting materials for drug-free schools. Secretly I roll my eyes and strike the trash icon. “Drug free schools - ha, right?!” It may sound cynical or jaded that I don’t believe in drug-free high schools. It’s not that. The truth is I don’t believe a drug-free high school exists. This isn’t from a lack of effort or concern. As a product of the “Just Say No” era, schools have worked for decades to...

I wanted to share an outline of my Yoga Lesson Plan that I do with my preschool class. It is easy and fun to do with any age group, especially on a rainy or cold day. If you are not familiar with yoga or yoga poses, there are millions of videos, tutorials, and charts that are available online. Preparation Move all furniture out of the way to create a large open space Implement some type of yoga mat or defined space for each child (carpet squares as yoga mats) Turn off or dim the lights Play...

Yoga is a great activity for children and adults and is easy to do just about anywhere! Children need to have multiple healthy ways to express their feelings and have opportunities for mind and body awareness. Yoga is beneficial because it is... Non-competitive Gender neutral Enhances motor skills and balance Improves listening skills in a fun approach Children can focus on what is happening in the moment A healthy way to express feelings Supports social and emotional learning and...

Over the last few weeks, I have had countless conversations with schools about the uptick of behavioral issues this time of year. Many educators are recognizing that students with ACE’s have a tough time around the holidays, but very few people know what to do about it. While there is no one-size-fits-all answer, below are the top three pieces of advice I have been sharing. Avoid some of the most common holiday traditions: When we have negative experiences, our brain latches on to everything...

The topic of this blog post is the importance of physical activity for children. In terms of physical activity, I chose to focus on yoga practice for young children. I believe that children are a big part of our society and their health is a reflection of their surroundings, which is why children’s health is so important. I researched three unique and professional studies that show how yoga builds resilience, self-awareness, self-image, self-esteem, quality of life, and dramatically reduces...

Many blog readers know that my niece Carly is a survivor of the Parkland shootings at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. You may know that my father also survived a mass murder, and like Carly, hid in a closet until the police arrived. Almost 70 years separated the two tragedies. Our guest blogger this week is my sister Merri, Carly's mom. Merri shares her first-hand account of what happened the afternoon of February 14, 2018, when Carly sent this text, “Mom don’t freak out but we are on...

Thanks for these suggestions, I am the school nurse and have realized for sometimes that the holidays/ festivities will trigger a multitude of emotions for young people. We as adults must be aware, sensitive and understanding when a young person is expressing their emotions, and support them so that can feel safe, and accepted, at this time of the year.

Have you used a picture book to promote mindfulness? What was your observations? I wrote a picture book "Edwina Beena's Polka Dot Day" to help children like me (traumatic childhood) to have a more peaceful mind. My original goal was to get my...

Greetings, My community is just starting Active Shooting drills using the ALICE model. A number of the teachers, parents and students have expressed concerns that these drills (because they are designed to simulate a real active threat) could be traumatizing and/or re-traumatizing for those in the schools. I'm wondering if anyone has any information (sample policies, procedures or practices) that can make an active shooting drill more trauma informed.

It's unfortunate that this is even an issue. I'm not that familiar with working with children but would it be possible to adapt the same trauma-informed practices for teaching to active shooter drills? You might be the first to consider addressing trauma in this scenario. Here's to hoping you connect with someone who can give you some feedback. Best of luck.

Thanks for the feedback. I was actually hoping to find a school district who had discussed this or had outlined a process to share with our school board and superintendent Keeping my fingers crossed.

You'd think there would be something out there. Best of luck!

Hello, is there an update on this request. It makes so. I hope sense to offer some tips and support prior to the drills taking place for teachers and for them to review with students how the drills may trigger fears, previous trauma, etc.

Hi! I am very curious what you found after using your book in the school setting. I am a school counselor to K-5th grade students in Texas. I look forward to hearing how you were able to use your book and the results of your project. Thank you in advance.

Here is an attachment a teacher made to show other teachers the success of our program. I would be happy to talk to you on the phone if you like.

It is so encouraging to hear so many schools are using the knowledge gained from the ACEs study and asking students to look at the trauma they have already experienced. If students aren't safe at their home they begin to think there are no safe places. Then they enter their teens and find, by experimenting with drugs and alcohol, that temporarily they can feel safe or numb. They step out of the "just experimenting or having fun stage" and into a mechanism for coping. We are getting our...

Can you share more information on the 12 week "Core Regulation" group? Is there a curriculum? I've been looking to update my curriculum for a group of adjudicated youth and their parents. This may be a good tool. Thanks.