This is the Polyvagal Schools series, part 4 of 5
CHANGING BEHAVIOR
Things we have to agree on first:
We sadly can’t count on parents all the time.
We have to be able to change behavior within the classroom
There’s always another kid coming in the next year that’s going to be a challenge
Passing the issue on isn’t a sustainable model
Regular ed is looking more and more like special ed classes
There probably aren’t enough MHC to refer to
Safety and relationships come before academics
To encourage students to change their behaviors, they must WANT to do it for themselves
This intrinsic motivation evolves from their relationships/connections: co-regulation
Caring can look different between teachers
Before the behavior problem is going to be the primary factor
Positivity Bookends to the Class
Warm Welcome: Handshake, high five, dap, verbal acknowledgment, smile, prosody
Grateful Goodbye: What you appreciated about them today, something positive, smile, prosody
Brain breaks: Planned short breaks that involve movement, art, music, fidgets
Your own cues of safety: Positivity, Prosody, Smiling, Eye crinkles
Clear and positive expectations: to succeed, to put in the effort, to be respectful of others, modeled by the teacher
Relationship - Students have to feel you care
Circles
“Ready to Learn” checkins
Principal check-ins idea
Have genuine fun:
Play with them during recess!
No phone use by anyone
Play a game with them during the line walks!
MOVING UP THE LADDER IN CLASS
Brain Breaks or Things to Add Into a Lesson
SHUT DOWN:
Stretch or chair yoga
Toe wiggles
Breathing exercise
Fold inward and expand exercise
Random thought exercise
“Voo” as a class
Self hug and hand on chest/forehead
FIGHT
Arm pushes
Wall pushes
Arm/torso muscle relaxation
FLIGHT
Toe stands
Foot/leg muscle relaxation
Message delivery w/mindfulness challenge
Line fun
MUSIC
30 second clip, allow them to move
“Is it a bop or a sway?”
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