Counseling Connection
April 2019
Classroom Guidance
Tension Release: Our bodies respond to stress and tension which can cause discomfort. This technique allows us to relax the body from head to toe. Students were able to hug and squeeze stuffed animals and stress balls to experience this. Also, we can use Progressive Muscle Relaxation to help target our muscles groups to release tension.
Grounding: This technique allows us to recenter our bodies and minds. It focuses on the here and now. This can be great for children who experience anxious feelings. Your students practiced the 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Technique. By putting all of our energy into the present and our 5 senses, we can calm our strong emotions and focus.
Breathing: Controlled breathing can work wonderfully for many emotions we might feel in a day. There are a lot of breathing techniques that can be done almost anywhere at different times. Students were able to practice pinwheel breathing in this lesson. This involves controlling your breath to slowly move the pinwheel without causing tension in your body.
Below are additional resources to help your students continue these body calming strategies at home. These are all very useful for adults too!
Parent Resource Spotlight
The Child Mind Institute is a wonderful resource for any mental health questions and concerns. They offer research on specific topics and guides to help families understand them and connect further.
Books to check out about calming our bodies:
- My Magic Breath: Finding Calm Through Mindful Breathing by Alison Taylor and Nick Ortner
- Breathe Like a Bear by Kira Willey
- I Am Peace: A Book of Mindfulness by Susan Verde
- I Am Yoga by Susan Verde