Date
22 March 2024

Teach stress management, anxiety and coping skills

Suggestion for implementing the strategy ‘Support emotional wellbeing and positive mental health’

Teach positive self talk

Teach positive self talk

Self coaching or self talk is a useful strategy for all students.

When a student approaches a situation that they may perceive as difficult or challenging, they can repeat to themselves a mantra or phrase to remind or encourage them towards the desired behaviour.

This strategy can increase feelings of calmness and increase confidence. It is particularly effective when paired with a breathing technique such as box breathing.

Explore example mantras for social situations, starting a task, starting the school day, test taking, transitions. Plus a blank template so students can create their own mantras or phrases.

Source: Goalbook (opens in a new tab/window)

Teach deep breathing exercises

Teach deep breathing exercises

Deep breathing exercises can help a student calm down by focusing on the here and now.

They redirect the mind away from anxiety-provoking events from the past or fears of what might happen in the future.

Use the 5-point scale for anxiety

Use the 5-point scale for anxiety

Introduce the 5-point scale to teach social and emotional skills through a systems approach.

Self-assessment

Self-assessment

Are these strategies emerging, partly in place, or established in your practice?

Illustrate your response with examples from your own teaching.

  • There are scaffolds and tools available to support self-regulated behaviour.
  • I acknowledge students when they demonstrate self-regulation (for example, waiting their turn, sharing with others, using a strategy to calm down).
  • I explicitly teach and model self-management strategies.
  • Students receive feedback for using the strategies.
  • I regularly check in on students, giving supportive feedback that builds their view of themselves as active learners.

Source: PB4L: Teaching for Positive Behaviour self assessment tool (opens in a new tab/window)

Useful resources

Useful resources

Website

Break cards

Break cards enable students to tell adults they need a break. Discuss and agree boundaries and expectations around how to use break cards. Three, free, downloadable break card options.

Publisher: Teachers Pay Teachers

Visit website

Website

Self-coaching

Explanation of a technique for students to use by repeating words to provide calm and focus, especially in challenging situations.

Publisher: Goalbook

Visit website

Website

Pause, breathe, smile mindfulness in schools

A researched based mindfulness programme developed for New Zealand schools and endorsed by the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand.

Publisher: Mindfulness Education Group

Visit website

Next steps

Return to the guide “Behaviour and learning”

Guide to Index of the guide: Behaviour and learning

Strategies for action:

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