Last month we asked you to share your go-to classroom stress relievers, and you provided some great responses. Here are our favorites:
“We have calm down kits in every classroom. One item in it is a pinwheel. As many children have trouble understanding take/blow a big breath – the pinwheel helps them with taking deeper breaths in order to make the pinwheel spin.”
—Ellen Samitt, Mental Health & Disabilities Coordinator
“My go-to stress reliever is throughout the winter I go snowshoeing after the work day is finished. Typically I go by myself with my two dogs. I love to feel the cold on my cheeks, freezing my cheeks and taking away the stress of the day. I get immersed and lost with the beauty of winter, whether it is snow piling up on tree branches, beautiful delicate frost patterns made on leaves still clinging to branches, sunbeams falling on the snow making it sparkle more brilliant than diamonds, or watching the snowfall and making me feel like I am playing in a life sized snow globe. All of that erases away my stress, the coldness makes me feel invigorated to already smile at the next day approaching.”
—Karen Kangas, Early On Birth to Three and Early Childhood Special Education Teacher
“Our “safe place” – a cozy, quiet area with cushions which has a variety of tools/calming strategies available (emotion and problem solving cards, emotion/choice board/mirror, stuffed animals, books, fidgets, breathing visuals) with a sheer curtain for additional privacy.”
—Lynn Nichelini, Director
Congratulations to these winners who will each receive a complimentary Brookes book of their choice. Check your inbox every month for our Early Childhood Newsletter that’s full of news, tips, and more great contests.
*No purchase necessary to win. Open to entrants based in the U.S., only. Entries must be received by 11/15/2019.
Selected respondents will be notified by email the week of November 18, 2019.
By submitting an entry, you give us permission to use your name and answer in our newsletters and social media posts.