Student anxiety is at an all time high.  With grade level standards becoming more rigorous, and state tests looming, teachers are feeling more pressure than ever to prepare students.  That pressure is also felt by students and parents. Teaching healthy coping skills is critical for today’s hectic classroom. By addressing mental and physical well-being, optimal learning can take place.  Check out these easy steps to relieve stress in your students and have them self-regulating in no time.

Three Steps to Relieving Stress in Students

Download Calming Apps

The Calm App and Headspace  are popular apps that have been used in child therapy for years. You can also use them for yourself as a form of self-care.  Show students how to use them at home.  If you are lucky enough to have devices at school, download these calming apps for students to use in calming corners. Check out more apps for teachers and students here.

Teach Breathing Techniques

Show students how to take a moment to focus on their breathing.  A quick youtube search will direct you to some amazing breathing techniques like belly breathing, the 4-7-8 technique, and take 5 breathing.

Get Silly

Kids will stop and pay attention when you do something silly or unexpected.  My secret?  Llamas!  Using llama themed activities is a more engaging way to take a serious subject and make it light and easy to talk about and empower students.

The ther-llama-ter is a tool for labeling levels of stress and identifying coping skills that are appropriate for each level.  After coloring in their level of stress, students can be guided through coping skills that may help at each level.  From breathing skills to journaling, students find their favorite way to self-soothe.  Read about more calming activities here.