Stress-management for students (and teachers): activities to reduce stress (new ideas each week!)

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@Bousl2336873cb4 said in Stress-management for students (and teachers): activities to reduce stress (new ideas each week!):

"A calm sea does not make a skilled sailor."

Hi Bousl,
Hope everything is going well.

This assertion does not apply for my students with Autism unfortunately. I need to assure a calm sea in order to reach them. That is part of our job, to promote an environment that gives them predictability, order and structure, and that is the relevance of technology in my classroom.

Best colleague,
Mr. Bryan

@Ana_moderator

Hello Ana,
Managing stress of students is a challenging issue for educators. As I am working in a ZEP school, everyday students of Grade 5 and 6 come to school in a different mood as they live in a marginalized region. Everyday before starting the classroom, pupils are reminded about the Classrooms rules: "I will talk nicely with my peers, I will remain quiet when my classmates instigates me and I will show him the emoticon happy stick in the classroom and school board........". To deal with stress management of pupils, last week there was a Continuous Professional Development Programme (CPD) at school named as TIPA. It is an NGO which proposed various strategies educators can focus on to mitigate stress among students.

@BRYANb8875625e5 said in Stress-management for students (and teachers): activities to reduce stress (new ideas each week!):

mandalas

Your picture of mandalas reminded me of an idea that I wanted to share with the community - coloring pages! I believe that it is a simple yet effective way to help students concentrate and calm down.

But look what I found recently - A CLIMATE CHANGE COLORING BOOK
I think it's a brilliant idea that combines stress management techniques with environmental learning. The coloring activities include information about the causes and effects of climate change, as well as ideas for reducing climate change.

@BRYANb8875625e5 said in Stress-management for students (and teachers): activities to reduce stress (new ideas each week!):

Calm Boxes

What is inside the calm boxes?

@Housna said in Stress-management for students (and teachers): activities to reduce stress (new ideas each week!):

Classrooms rules:

In my opinion, classroom rules can be a great tool, especially when they are created by the students themselves.

I hope the training has been successful! I think it would be interesting to hear your insights on different strategies for reducing stress among students if there were any

@Ana_moderator

Hi Ana,
Sensory toys, mini mandalas, mindfulness cards. lavender mist and others according to the student's needs. This July I will visit a municipality island that is part of Puerto Rico main island. Parents need strategies and kids needs physical resources to find their self-regulation. I make these sensory toys become low technology tools for good.

Best,
Mr. Bryan

@Ana_moderator
Hello Ana,
I completely agree with you when students create their own Classroom rules, the rules identified by them have greater impact on their socio-emotional behaviour compared to when the teacher devised them. Especially if children have done hand printing and created a sort of a chart which highlights the Classroom rules, this chart will be more proactive and pupils will thrive to abide to the rules set for the whole classroom. Indeed the training was very helpful, breathing exercises were proposed to be carried out as it is a good mean to manage stress among pupils. Use of affirmations has positive impact on children. They can write or say affirmations that resonate with them, reinforcing positive beliefs about themselves. Teachers were encouraged to make their students laugh and integrate music.

Hello Housna
Helping students manage stress involves promoting healthy habits like eating well, exercising, and getting enough sleep. It's like teaching them how to balance their time, like planning when to study and when to relax, so they don't feel overwhelmed. We can teach them simple tricks like taking deep breaths when they feel stressed or doing quick exercises to relax their muscles. It's also about creating a safe space where students feel comfortable talking about their worries and seeking help when they need it, just like how they would ask for directions when they're lost. By encouraging them to take breaks, have fun, and not be too hard on themselves when things don't go perfectly, we can help them feel more in control and less stressed.

@Ana_moderator

I just downloaded the Climate Change Coloring Book
Once my students came back to school this will be part of my Calming Corner.

Creating a stressless environment in school and home will build a healthier life style for them. At school teachers can use variety task activities to widen their happiness.

Create teacher-student relationship where students feel comfortable expressing themselves and seeking help.

@Bousl2336873cb4
Hello Chokri,
Students are provided with healthy meals everyday in my schools and holistic classes are conducted on daily basis. Various initiatives are taken by the Ministry to encourage pupils to come to school. The breathing activity is often carried out to make students relax and concentrate in the classroom. I'm working in a low performing school and these students face various challenges. They have various difficulties.

Hi Housna
Okay, you mean a school for students from a poor social class or their low scientific level
Best regards from Tunisia
Chokri

@Ana_moderator In my class, I will regularly use music to make my students do a free dance / steps that can get back their attention to my class. I will spend around 2-3 minutes playing their favorite music / song and one/two students will lead their classmates to follow their dance routine and that's how to begin to focus and motivate to study

@MYLOG47799627c6

I am agree with you @MYLOG47799627c6

In my opinion, creating a stress-free environment both at school and at home is essential for building a healthier lifestyle for children. At school, as teachers we can implement a variety of engaging and diverse activities that not only enhance learning but also promote joy and well-being.

Thats the importance to adopt strategies like gamification to promote joy through the process of learning. Similarly, at home, maintaining a supportive and nurturing atmosphere where children can unwind and feel secure is crucial. Emotions are important in our classrooms, that is an open door for more and better learning.

Best,
Mr. Bryan

Hi Bryana
Creating a healthy and stress-free environment for students can be achieved by setting up a "relaxation zone" in the classroom. Here is a simple idea:

Relaxation and Calm Area:
Set up a corner of the classroom with comfortable cushions, rugs, and a few plants. Add books, puzzles, and quiet games. Students can use this space to relax, read, or play quietly when they feel stressed or need a break. Ensure this area is always accessible and encourage students to use it when needed. This fosters an environment where students can manage their stress and feel more relaxed throughout the day.
Best regards from Tunisia
Chokri

@Bousl2336873cb4

Hello Chokri,

It is a Zone d'education Prioritaire (ZEP) school where students from poor socio-economic background come there. This philosophy ZEP was firstly implemented in France. It was a success there, in 2003 it was implemented in my country. The concept ZEP is a success too here as the rate of absenteeism which was

Hello Housna
surely you must provide more effort than in another establishment better favored...... tell me a little about your great experience.
Best Regards from Tunisia
Chokri

@Ana_moderator
Interesting Topic Ana. I have observed that teachers have more stress because many teachers are married. When their wives or family members fight with them they can't say any single word against them and abusing silently and then they go to school and give punishment to students because their stress is very high.
In this condition teachers need to firstly they calm down and then join their classes and same condition for student when their parents fight with them they also did not saying single word against them and then they go to school and feeling bored and they can't understand lecture.
In both conditions teachers need to make a plan to find stressed students from class and then make a funny educational activities or games plan for all class in morning time in first period as they feeling happy and active.

@Sadamdars56 thank you for sharing your perspective.

I would say that teachers can get stressed for various reasons, whether at home or work. Undoubtedly, this stress affects their daily work routine. Therefore, it is important to not only use these activities with students but also to try them ourselves (or with students in the morning).