Our needs assessment this year showed that our high school
students are majorly stressed out (no surprises here). They need help with soft
skills like time management, study skills, and stress management. Mindfulness
seems like a buzz word in the counseling world, but it's
because it's something our students are really needing help with.
I'm always looking to create new, visually appealing bulletin
boards for our main hallway. THIS
ONE has 8 mindfulness techniques (positive self-talk, guided imagery, journaling, affirmations, desk stretches, progressive muscle relaxation, mindful meditation, breathing techniques) that a student could learn about and immediately
practice in their classroom. Each of these coping strategies have cardstock
take-aways that students can take out of a pocket and bring back to a classroom
with them or bring home with them.
To pair with this, we snagged a few minutes at our monthly faculty
meeting to educate teachers on mindfulness, ways they can use some techniques
in the classroom, and some of the recent research on it. We showed them that
all educators can get a free subscription to Calm.com which has meditations,
sleep stories, music, and body relaxations. To get your own subscription using
your school email (it's your log in for life-- even if you leave education!),
go to calm.com/schools to register. A real life human will
approve your request, so it takes a few days.
A couple of my favorite things I've seen come out of this:
1- I loved seeing a boy pause to read the board, grab a piece of
cardstock for "Progressive Muscle Relaxation" and stick it in the side of his
backpack, and skitter off quickly.
2- I loved seeing a teacher post the "Affirmations"
cardstock in her classroom by the door as students exit. Positive self-talk and affirmations can really change a mindset if practiced regularly!
ASCA
had a great January/February 2019 magazine focused on mindfulness and student
anxiety. There are helpful tips and tricks for all school levels and the
different struggles students have. Log in to the ASCA website to read some helpful journal and magazine articles:
- "Coping with Student Anxiety" -- Anna Duvall and Crissy Roddy, Ph. D (2019)
- "Students with Anxiety: Implications for Professional School Counselors" -- E. Heather Thompson, Ph. D., Phyllis Robertson, Ph. D., Russ Curtis, Ph. D., and Melodie H. Frick, Ph. D. (2018)
- "Calm, Cool, and Confident" -- Lacretia Dye, Ph. D (2014)
- "Student Success Skills: Tools and Strategies for Improved Academic and Social Outcomes" -- Linda D. Webb, Ph. D., Greg A. Brigman, Ph. D. (2006)
- "Helping Children Overcome Test Anxiety" -- ASCA (2004)
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