March 11, 2016 at 2:35 p.m.
Self-regulation: A skill to empower children
Self-regulation: A skill to empower children
By Pelican Elementary School staff-
The Calming Room provides a consistent area for sensory breaks, academic support, teachable moments in appropriate social skills, and most importantly building trust between staff and students. When students are unable to focus, oftentimes a five-minute break of either an active or quiet activity in the Calming room is all they need to regain their focusing ability. Each classroom at Pelican School has its own Calming Corner so students can take a break right in their own classroom and continue to hear instruction while getting their emotions in control. Sometimes, a classroom break isn't quite enough for students, and a break in the Calming Room is what students need to get back on track for learning. Students who use the classroom's Calming Corner or school's Calming Room are able to learn to recognize when their body needs a break and to see the positive changes in the way they feel inside after taking that break.
Student breaks can either be teacher directed, if a teacher feels that a student will benefit from it, or student requested, if students feel their bodies losing control. One third-grade student, who has been in Pelican School for four years and has utilized the Calming Room for various reasons, has said, "When I'm mad or sad, it calms me down and keeps me safe." Implementation of the Calming Room has significantly reduced office referrals for negative student behavior. Teachers know that if students aren't focusing, learning can't happen; teachers know that if students regain their focus during a short break, the opportunity for learning to occur is significantly enhanced. It is very simply stated by the same student that, "I think if the Calming Room wasn't here, I wouldn't be able to get my work done."
This commitment to teaching our students has united the staff with the same understanding and skills to empower our students to make good choices. It has changed the mentality of the staff from being "your students" to "our students." Daily data is collected quickly to assist teachers to set up the best educational and behavioral plans for struggling students. The data is used for school staffed behavioral teams, collaboration, and parent teacher conferences. These conferences are more positive when the teacher can inform the parent of the support we are giving to their child.
Pelican Elementary School has created an environment that supports students with self-regulation. The Calming Room is a safe place that students may go in order to regain control of their bodies, minds, and emotions to allow themselves to better focus on the work at hand. The Calming Room has significantly decreased negative behavior referrals, and has helped support staff and students with understanding how to control student's emotions at vulnerable times. Creating a united front as a whole school building has changed the way we educate our students, by more effectively relating to a student on a positive level, rather than a disciplinary level. The Calming Room has also created a collaboration between parents and staff members, and shows the different options available in helping their students be successful.
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