Reach out if you need support

Dear Families,
These are stressful times for all of us.  I wanted to reach out and reassure you that I am available for any support for your child and your family.  I'm sure our anxiety is all on different levels but we are all feeling it in some capacity.
While it's not always easy to recognize when kids are stressed out, short-term behavioral changes such as mood swings, acting out, changes in sleep patterns, or bedwetting can be indications.  Some kids have physical effects, including stomachaches and headaches. Still others become withdrawn and want to spend time alone.
World news can and does cause stress.  So what can we do to help support our children? Talk to them about what they've seen and heard. Make time for them everyday whether they need to talk or just be with you, make yourself available.  When you express interest in their activities and what they are thinking you show your kids they're important to you.  Don't forget that proper rest, routine, fresh air and healthy eating help all of us cope with our stress.
Remember that some level of stress is normal, let your kids know that it is alright to have lots of different feelings and that they are not alone in those feelings. Reassure them that we are all working together to get through these difficult situations.
I plan on posting to my blog daily with helpful tips, ideas and lesson plans.  If there is something in particular that you would like me to research and write about please let me know.
Please don't hesitate to reach out via email if you have any questions and/or concerns.

I'm thinking of all of you as we navigate through.

Sincerely,

Jackie Kleiner
HMS Counselor

Coronavirus: Coping in these stressful times

Children will have important questions for you if they don’t already, and we have to honor their feelings as world events are changing rapidly. The following are some basic guidelines: 

• First, we can’t ignore the crisis and keep our kids in the dark. We can't pretend that children don’t have some fears about their safety and those they love. Parents have to take this on. The crisis is no longer just in China; it has come to every home.
• Be very careful how much media your children consume. The news can be as scary to them as any other program on the screen.
• Calmly approach every conversation with your children, even if you’re not feeling very calm. Children will take your cue and mirror the level of anxiety that you are showing.
• You can begin the conversation asking your kids what questions they have. You are there to answer their questions in a developmentally appropriate way but understand that this may be just the beginning of a rolling conversation. Stay available for future discussions.

Yoga4Classrooms daily mindfulness ideas

"Outside In" Activity: From the Yoga for Children-Yoga Cards: 50+ Yoga and Mindfulness Activities for Kids, by Lisa Flynn: https://bit.ly/YogaforChildrenActivityCards
Social Tags: @yoga4classrooms #yoga4classrooms @childlighteducationcompany #childlighteducationcompany #yogaforchildren

Time for some chair stretches!

'At Your Desk' Activity Cards: From the Yoga 4 Classrooms Activity Cards, by Lisa Flynn: http://bit.ly/Y4Ccards

Social Tags: @yoga4classrooms #yoga4classrooms

Need to alleviate anxiety? Try Gratitude Relaxation.

Gratitude Relaxation Activity Card: From the Yoga 4 Classrooms Activity Cards, by Lisa Flynn: http://bit.ly/Y4Ccards

Social Tags: @yoga4classrooms #yoga4classrooms

Need some extra energy? Try the power breath!

Power Breath Activity Card: Yoga 4 Classrooms Activity Cards, by Lisa Flynn: http://bit.ly/Y4Ccards

Social Tags: @yoga4classrooms #yoga4classrooms

Happy Monday! It's time to take a stretch break and try the tree pose!

Tree Pose Activity Card: Yoga 4 Classrooms Activity Cards, by Lisa Flynn: http://bit.ly/Y4Ccards

Social Tags: @yoga4classrooms #yoga4classrooms

Happy Friday! Try this to release tension.  

Magic Massage Activity Card: Yoga 4 Classrooms Activity Cards, http://bit.ly/Y4Ccards

Social Tags: @yoga4classrooms #yoga4classrooms

Today's yoga move is the warrior.

Warrior Series Activity Cards: Yoga 4 Classrooms Activity Cards, http://bit.ly/Y4Ccards

Social Tags: @yoga4classrooms #yoga4classrooms

Hi everyone, don't forget to breathe :)

Balloon Breath Activity Card: Yoga 4 Classrooms Activity Cards, http://bit.ly/Y4Ccards

Social Tags: @yoga4classrooms #yoga4classrooms

Enjoy a new mindful break!

Special Place Activity Card: Yoga 4 Classrooms Activity Cards, http://bit.ly/Y4Ccards

Social Tags: @yoga4classrooms #yoga4classrooms

Here is today's daily yoga break, enjoy!

Washing Machine Activity Card: Yoga 4 Classrooms Activity Cards

Social Tags: @yoga4classrooms #yoga4classrooms

Hi everyone! Here is your daily break for today. Have fun making a mandala :)
Photos used with permission: ChildLight Education Company
Social Tags: @yoga4classrooms #yoga4classrooms
Mandala Movement Meditation Card: Yoga for Children-Yoga Cards

Good morning! Enjoy this yoga stretch as a brain break today!

Video: https://youtu.be/NuJyXxOoj7Q

Mountain Activity Card: Yoga 4 Classrooms Activity Cards
Social Tags: @yoga4classrooms #yoga4classrooms

Size of the problem

The next unit the students and I will be discussing is the “Size of the Problem''.  This is a term coined by the Social Thinking curriculum, socialthinking.com, and it emphasizes that all problems are not created equal. Children face commonplace problems such as a paper cut or problems as complicated as having to cope with a family tragedy. When working with kids we talk about problems in three sizes: small problems, medium problems, and big problems. Regardless of scale, the hidden rule in problem solving with preschool and elementary school age children is that we are expected to react to problems in a manner that matches (or is smaller than) the size of the problem. This is where social problem solving can get tricky. A problem that is perceived by one person as being small could cause a big reaction. Not only does this mismatch create more anxiety in the individual, it can also limit the effectiveness of solving the current problem while at the same time creating a new problem.

Figuring out the size of the problem is the first step in being able to match our emotional reaction accordingly. Small Problems are defined as those that can be pretty easily solved on our own, despite us possibly feeling a little sad, annoyed, or worried. For instance: having to sharpen a pencil point that broke, doing homework even when we don’t want to, or not getting called on by the teacher.

Medium problems require someone’s help, often an adult, to solve. That said, it is expected that kids help solve medium problems. Some examples include figuring out a math problem, a friend not wanting to play with them at recess, or forgetting their lunch at home. Medium problems often make us feel some degree of mad, sad, confused, frustrated, or worried.

A big problem makes us feel really scared, hurt, worried, or upset. Big problems are solved by an adult. For instance: being bullied, getting very sick or injured, or dealing with unfortunate events outside of our direct control. Even adults usually need help solving big problems!

Helping our students learn to recognize the size of their problem and examining the related size of their emotional reaction is an important part of teaching social problem solving.

Yoga in the classroom parent letter

Dear families,

The students are about to embark on a yoga unit during my lesson time in their classrooms. Yoga helps children in a multitude of ways. It gives students the opportunity to have a beneficial motor break that eases anxiety/tension and enhances focus/concentration.  Yoga wakes up our minds and enhances our creativity while improving our mind/body connection. 

Students feel a sense of fun and accomplishment when they master a yoga pose.  At an early age they aren’t yet aware of the benefits of yoga which include;       

•  Improved motor skills and balance.
•  Increased confidence and self-esteem.
•  Added respect for oneself and others.
•  A fit and healthy lifestyle.
•  An overall sense of well-being.
•  Improved listening skills.
•  An opportunity for reflection, which reduces impulsivity.
•  Enhanced organizational and communication skills.

 A child who learns yoga, mindfulness and relaxation will be developing essential skills for a lifetime of health and wellness in mind, body and spirit. Take a minute to ask what yoga pose your child enjoys the most. I’m looking forward to working with the students in order to introduce them to these important building blocks.

Mindfulness Parent letter

Dear Families,

For my classroom lessons the students are currently involved in learning what it means to be mindful.  Mindfulness simply stated by Psychology Today is, “a state of active, open attention to the present.” Thus far we have focused on learning how to take a mindful breath (ie. inhaling and allowing our belly to expand and exhaling allowing the belly to deflate like a balloon) and how to mindfully treat others (ie. being aware of the power of our words/actions and their impact on others).  Further lessons will focus on being mindful of how we feel, move, and eat as well as focusing on our senses. Overall, students are learning to be present in the moment instead of being reactive or overwhelmed by all the noise that is going on around them.  

Mindfulness is not another thing that we have to add to our plate.  Already when we teach our children to be more aware of their emotions, surroundings and decisions we help them become more purposeful in their responses and actions. Research, according to Mindful Schools, has shown that mindfulness helps students with attention, emotional regulation, compassion and calming.  We already have the capacity to be present and aware of what we are doing in the moment. The students are learning to listen and pay attention to those innate qualities that they have with mindfulness exercises.

There are many simple ways to practice mindfulness.  The following are just a few options that you may want to try at home with your child:  Paying attention and experiencing our environment with all of our senses, finding joy in the moment, assessing our mood and putting strategies in place, noticing and naming how we are feeling/what we are thinking (eg. I am feeling worried right now, I need to take a deep breath), eating a mindful snack together (eating slowly and being aware of how the food tastes), taking a mindful nature walk, and focusing on our breathing to calm down in order to help us navigate through tough/negative moments.  

As always if you have any questions feel free to reach out.

Sincerely,

Jackie Kleiner

HMS School Counselor

jkleiner@sau66.org

Zones of Regulation classroom lessons

Dear Families,

The students are just completing the Zones of Regulation unit during my classroom lessons. We have worked on identifying the four Zones, having a working knowledge of them as well as coming up with tools to help aid in self-regulation. Self-regulation is something that everyone continually works on throughout their lives.  We all face situations in which our limits are tested. The Zones language and tools give students the ability to more easily name their feelings and manage them.   

The Zones offer a system to categorize our feelings into one of four colored zones.  This framework provides strategies to teach students to become more aware of and independent in controlling their emotions and improving their ability to problem solve conflicts. 

The Red Zone is used to describe extremely heighted and intense emotions.  These may include: anger, rage, terror and elation. 

The Yellow Zone is also used to describe a heightened state of alertness and elevated emotions, however students have more control when they are in the yellow zone.  Emotions in the yellow zone include: frustration, anxiety, excitement, silliness, nervousness and annoyance.

The Green Zone is used to describe a calm state that is optimal for learning.  Emotions in the green zone include: happy, focused, ready to learn, calm and content.  

The Blue Zone is used to describe low and slow feelings. Emotions in the blue zone include: sad, sick, tired, and bored. 

All of the Zones are natural to experience, but the lessons focus on teaching students how to recognize and manage their Zones feelings based on the environment that they are in.  The students are expected to be in the yellow zone, with heightened emotions, when they are on the playground. However, when expectations change and they are back in the classroom that same heightened emotion would not be conducive to a learning environment.  

Students have also explored the tools that would be beneficial to them in each zone.  We discuss many calming options that are choices for the students. These include: Breathing, exercise, stretching, talking to someone, taking a break, going for a walk, coloring, thinking happy thoughts, and fidget tools.  The students then think about which tool would be beneficial for them in each zone. This self-awareness helps students remember these tools when they are needed to help manage their emotions. 

For more information you can visit Zonesofregulation.com and if you have any questions please feel free to email me.

Thanks,

Jackie Kleiner