Classroom Coping Skills

Back to school time is here!  I made this visual to help teachers to manage difficult behaviors in the classroom.  This tool does a few different things:

1. Helps the student to name and rate their feelings.

2. Gives the student tools in order to change their attitude.

3. Helps the teacher teach the student to manage their own behavior.

4. Gives the student and teacher concrete words and meaning for emotions.

5. Helps with self regulation for the student.

I am going to be giving this out to all my elementary teachers.  I will include the following directions for use:

You can use this visual in a few different ways:

1. Go over the packet with the student at a time they are calm and open to instruction.  You will not be able to teach them when they are in the midst of being upset.
2. Try to have the student either point or rate their emotions before and after they take a break or do an activity.  If they are too upset at first, have them think about how they felt before they took a break.
3. Look for signs the student’s body is reacting to an emotional state: sweating, red face/cheeks/ears, dilated pupils, fast breathing, gritting teeth.
4. When you see a student getting out of control, bring them over and read the packet together and have the student pick which activity they would like to do in order to calm down.
5. After you have talked to the students about these activities, show one of the visuals to a student who is starting to become upset.  Have them perform one of the activities and then check in with you when they come back.
6. Always check in with the student after performing a “cool down” activity.  Look for signs that they have regained control such as: slower heart rate, slower breathing rate, normal pupil size, calm appearance.
7. Depending on the age of the child, you may be able to train them to perform these activities on their own in the hallway.  
8. For older students (2nd-4th) You can use the “Take a Break Card” as a silent visual that the student needs to do something to change their mood.  Younger students will have to be supervised either in the classroom or in the hallway.

Click on the picture for free printable file.