As our students return from winter break, many of them have been in situations that felt unsafe or insecure. When they return to us they may seem to be more dysregulated or emotional. While many of them are happy to return to the relative safety and security of school, they also may be processing many emotions from their break. Connecting with new students or reconnecting with students from last semester early is key to creating the "felt safety" our students need to flourish. Felt safety is defined as adults arranging the environment and adjusting their behavior so children can feel in a profound and basic way that they are truly safe. We have all experienced moments where our physical surroundings may be deemed safe by others but we do not feel safe. It is our job to ensure students have felt safety so they can thrive in the learning environment.

These are some TBRI Engagement Strategies that help nurture healthy connections with our students:

Touch: such as a hand on the shoulder or high five

Eye contact: (proven to change brain chemistry)

Voice quality: = tone, volume, cadence

Behavior Matching: such as sitting the same way as the student

Play disarms fear! Do not be afraid to be silly.

1. Find and accountability partner.

2. Start a food journal

3. Try strength training instead of just cardio

4. Eat high-protein foods

5. Eat small and eat frequently

6. WATER! My least favorite advice!

7. Have plan for nutrition and exercise. Random acts provide random results.

8. Have patience!