Classroom Management Techniques for the Inclusive Classroom Utilizing Movement

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1 Funding provided by DHR Melissa Anderson Project Manager Stephanie Eger Project Coordinator Dee McNalley Amelia Hardin Developmental Specialists UCP of Huntsville and Tennessee Valley CCEP Office 1856 Keats Drive Huntsville, AL Classroom Management Techniques for the Inclusive Classroom Utilizing Movement Finding the balance between energetic, engaged and calm, relaxed helps our children focus Childcare Enhancement With A Purpose 1

2 WE WOULD LIKE THE FOCUS AND ATTENTION OF OUR CHILDREN TO LOOK LIKE THE FOLLOWING: Childcare Enhancement With A Purpose 2

3 What we sometimes see is this: Childcare Enhancement With A Purpose 3

4 There is hope! Exercise, breath, and other self-regulation strategies can help! Self-regulation is a child's ability to gain control of bodily functions, manage powerful emotions, and maintain focus and attention. The growth of self-regulation is a cornerstone of early childhood. The portion of our brain that plays a major part in our emotional experience and expression is the Childcare Enhancement With A Purpose 4

5 Autonomic Nervous System It is also the portion of our nervous system responsible for control of the bodily functions not consciously directed, such as breathing, the heartbeat, and digestive processes. AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM Parasympathetic Sympathetic Rest Digest Fight Flight Freeze Childcare Enhancement With A Purpose 5

6 The Triune Brain Survival Brain Reflexive: don t need to think about response. Fight, flight, or freeze. Reactive. Emotional Brain What is the feeling (state of being) now? Receives info from our sensory systems Thinking Brain Rational thought, organize, plan, self-regulate, make decisions, use memory Childcare Enhancement With A Purpose 6

7 Learning how to cope with adversity is an important part of healthy child development. When we are threatened, our bodies prepare us to respond by increasing our heart rate, blood pressure, and stress hormones, such as cortisol. When a young child s stress response systems are activated within an environment of supportive relationships with adults, these physiological effects are buffered and brought back down to baseline. The result is the development of healthy stress response systems. However, if the stress response is extreme and long-lasting, and buffering relationships are unavailable to the child, the result can be damaged, weakened systems and brain architecture, with lifelong repercussions. Center of the Developing Child Harvard University It s Three Types of Stress Positive stress response is a normal and essential part of healthy development, characterized by brief increases in heart rate and mild elevations in hormone levels. Some situations that might trigger a positive stress response are the first day with a new caregiver or receiving an injected immunization. Childcare Enhancement With A Purpose 7

8 Tolerable stress response activates the body s alert systems to a greater degree as a result of more severe, longer-lasting difficulties, such as the loss of a loved one, a natural disaster, or a frightening injury. If the activation is time-limited and buffered by relationships with adults who help the child adapt, the brain and other organs recover from what might otherwise be damaging effects. Toxic stress response can occur when a child experiences strong, frequent, and/or prolonged adversity such as physical or emotional abuse, chronic neglect, caregiver substance abuse or mental illness, exposure to violence, and/or the accumulated burdens of family economic hardship without adequate adult support. This kind of prolonged activation of the stress response systems can disrupt the development of brain architecture and other organ systems, and increase the risk for stress-related disease and cognitive impairment, well into the adult years. Your nervous system state is a very important part of creating a calm, relaxed, and engaged environment in your classroom. Childcare Enhancement With A Purpose 8

9 It is important to teach children lifelong strategies to deal with stress. Disruptive behaviors present an opportunity to implement movement and breathing strategies with our children. Think of movement as quick bursts of brain fuel and try to top off your student s brain tanks frequently. Exercises and activities can be adapted for children with special needs so that all may participate in the fun! Childcare Enhancement With A Purpose 9

10 Movement Guidelines Poses to relax: Forward bends (flexing hips) Poses to energize: Standing poses Poses to build focus: Balance poses Poses to balance the nervous system: Twists Mountain Stand with feet hip distance apart Hands remain at sides or on belly Eyes open or closed Notice your breath Notice your feet planted on the floor You are safe, steady and strong Moon Inhale and raise your arms over your head until your palms meet Exhale, leaning your trunk to the side Inhale, reaching your hands to the ceiling, standing tall Exhale and lean to the other side Childcare Enhancement With A Purpose 10

11 Waterfall Inhale, reaching your hands to the ceiling, stretching your body long Exhale, folding your body forward, reaching your hands towards the floor Repeat Windmill Separate feet slightly greater than hip distance Inhale your arms out to the side, shoulder height Exhale, twist to the left Fold forward, bringing right hand to left leg or foot Look up at your left hand in the air Inhale to starting position and repeat in other direction Downdog Stand with chair facing you Place feet 2 from chair, hands on top of seat Exhale and stretch your hips backwards, away from the chair Arms and legs remain straight Inhale, look forward, shift your body forward moving into a straight plank position, keeping arms and legs straight Exhale and stretch backwards into downdog and repeat Childcare Enhancement With A Purpose 11

12 Frog Jump Start in your downdog position Inhale and bend your knees Exhale, pushing into your hands and hop your feet off the ground Breathing Balances the sympathetic (inhale) and parasympathetic (exhale) nervous system. Increases oxygen throughout the body. Energy levels increase. When our breathing pattern changes, so does our emotional pattern. When our emotional pattern changes, our breathing naturally changes. Students who practiced MINDFUL BREATHING reported they were better able to focus, relax, reduce anxiety before taking test, and made better decisions when in conflict. Journal of Applied School Psychology, 2005 Childcare Enhancement With A Purpose 12

13 Breathing Guidelines Teach the exhale first. Work towards breathing in and out through the nose unless specifically noted with the breathing technique. Be patient. The child will eventually get it. It just may take a while. Belly Breath Sit up tall or lay on your back. Place your hands or an object on your belly. As you breath in, feel your belly rise. As you exhale, feel your belly sink back into the ground. Props can add some fun and sensory input. Childcare Enhancement With A Purpose 13

14 Breathing Games Tissue paper balls, pom poms, cotton balls: Blow along the floor with straw while on stomach. Feather Dance: Long, slow, extended exhale is calming. Quick exhale is excitatory. Balloon Breathing Begin with hands by your sides, shoulders relaxed. Inhale and lift your arms over your head, forming the shape of a balloon above your head. Hold the full balloon, reaching your arms up. Exhale and float your arms back down to the side. Power Breath Forcefully inhale through the nose while reaching your arms in the air, fingers spread. Forcefully exhale through the mouth, bending your elbows and swinging your arms close to your sides with your hands in a fist. It is also fun to exhale and let out a big HA. Childcare Enhancement With A Purpose 14

15 Tree Pose Airplane Pose Airplane Pose Begin in mountain pose, standing tall. Inhale your arms out to the side, forming the wings of your airplane. Exhale, leaning your trunk forward and lifting your right leg behind you. Take several breaths in this position. Inhale into mountain pose again and switch to other side. Childcare Enhancement With A Purpose 15

16 Child s Pose Child s Pose Kneel on the floor with your legs together. Rest your forehead on the floor. Your arms can remain by your sides, or stretched in front of you along the mat. Pretend you are a turtle hiding in your shell. As you inhale, the air fills the space between your body and your shell, making your shell as strong as armor. Exhale. Finding the balance between energetic, engaged and calm, relaxed helps our children focus Childcare Enhancement With A Purpose 16

17 Resources 1. Pediatric Yoga and Mindfulness, Techniques for Sensory, Behavioral, Attention, & Other Developmental Disorders. Allison Morgan, MA, OTR, RYT 2. ZensationalKids.com 3. Mindsinbloom.com 4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) 5. Center on the Developing Child: Harvard University Childcare Enhancement With A Purpose 17