Teach stress management, anxiety and coping skills
Suggestion for implementing the strategy ‘Support emotional wellbeing and positive mental health’
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Support self-advocacy
Support self-advocacy
Provide students with the language to describe their triggers and also to advocate for what they need.
Invite students to give you feedback on useful teacher strategies.
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Teach positive self talk
Teach positive self talk
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.
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.
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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.
No captions or transcript
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
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
Self-coaching
Explanation of a technique for students to use by repeating words to provide calm and focus, especially in challenging situations.
Publisher: Goalbook
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
Next steps
More suggestions for implementing the strategy “Support emotional wellbeing and positive mental health”:
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Anticipate, monitor, and plan for responding to child stress
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Current page Teach stress management, anxiety and coping skills
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Teach how to recognise emotions and options for expressing feelings
Return to the guide “Behaviour and learning”
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How to use this site
Guide to Index of the guide: Behaviour and learning
Understand:
- Understanding behaviour
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Understanding how to respond to problem behaviourShow suggestions for Understanding how to respond to problem behaviour
Strategies for action:
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Foster positive relationships and partnershipsShow suggestions for Foster positive relationships and partnerships
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Collaboratively develop a safe and caring culture and climateShow suggestions for Collaboratively develop a safe and caring culture and climate
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Supporting language and communication skillsShow suggestions for Supporting language and communication skills
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Support emotional wellbeing and positive mental healthShow suggestions for Support emotional wellbeing and positive mental health
- Anticipate, monitor, and plan for responding to child stress
- Strengthen student identity
- Teach stress management, anxiety and coping skills
- Offer relaxation options and downtime activities
- Teach how to recognise emotions and options for expressing feelings
- Providing support following traumatic experiences
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Enable access and participation in learningShow suggestions for Enable access and participation in learning
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Respond safely to challenging situationsShow suggestions for Respond safely to challenging situations
