A Handy Guide for Teachers about Relaxation Presenter’s Guide

Building: Date of Last Update: 06/08/05 Materials needed: Brochure and Copies of Participants Handouts (Packet for each participant) Optional Props: Washer and String for washer activity Relaxation music (tape/CD player) Relaxation resources listed such as Yoga Kit for Kids Contributors: MMSD OT / PT Relaxation Committee, Teaching and Learning Staff, Educational Services Program Support Teachers and Staff

Slide 1

REGULAR EDUCATION STRATEGIES

TO ENHANCE THE

LEARNING PROCESS

Slide 2

Relaxation StrategiesRelaxation Strategiesfor the Classroomfor the Classroom

Proactive Strategies, for all Proactive Strategies, for all students, that promote relaxation students, that promote relaxation

to enhance learning.to enhance learning.

Slide 3 Engagement•Classroom•SchoolCommunity

Learning•Content•Instruction

RelationshipsStudentStudent

StaffStaff

StudentStaffStaffFamilies

Core Practices, Services & Programs

IF A STUDENT ISN’T SUCCESSFUL?

SOME Students

Classroom Specific Supports

School/District Wide Supports

FEW Students

Time Limited Specialized Support

FEWER Students

Long Term Intensive Specialized Support

FEWEST Students

ASSESSMENT

ALL Students

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© MMSD 10.16.02

This presentation focuses on the students in the green and yellow boxes in the Educational Framework.

Slide 4 Wisconsin Teacher Standard # 3

The teacher understands how pupils differ in their approaches to learning and the barriers that impede learning and can adapt instruction to meet the diverse needs of pupils, including those with disabilities and exceptionalities.

Slide 5 What’s this all about?

The purpose of this presentation is to:1. Provide you with some basic information on

the negative effects of stress and the benefits of relaxation.

2. Show it’s relevance to student learning and teaching practices.

3. Provide relaxation strategies to be used in the classroom environment.

Slide 6

What is Relaxation?What is Relaxation?

Slide 7 Relaxation is…

A natural and innate protective mechanism against

STRESS

Slide 8 Why do we need Relaxation?

Turns off harmful body effects of stressCounteracts fight or flight responseDecreases heart and breathing ratesLowers blood pressureBrings system into balance…

Slide 9 What is STRESS ?

Anything that happens that is out of the ordinary.

NORMAL ADAPTIVE RESPONSE

HARMFULREACTIONTO STRESS

Slide 10 Normal Adaptive Response

• Source of stress is identified• Challenge is met• Body returns to normal functioning

Slide 11 Harmful Reaction to Stress

If stress is prolonged, undefined or from multiple sources, the body does not return to baseline as rapidly, and continues to have a potentially damaging stress response.

Slide 12 Signs of Stress in Children

Refer participants to this section of the brochure.

Slide 13

Slide 14

Slide 15

Slide 16

Slide 17 Negative Effects of

STRESS

FIGHT -

FLIGHT -FRIGHT -

FREEZE -

Slide 18 Fight, Flight, Fright, Freeze

Response

Release of chemicals in brainIncreased heart rateTense musclesIncreased respiration rateSharpens our sensesShuts down digestion

Slide 19 50-80% of Diseases Are Influenced by STRESS

• Cardiovascular disease• Cancer• Respiratory disease• Arthritis

Slide 20 Effects of Stress on Learning

• Lowers achievement scores• Interferes with memory• Impairs problem solving ability• Creates dependent behaviors• Lowers self concept• Interferes with peer relationships

Slide 21 Using Relaxation Strategies in the

Classroom Will:• Decrease effects of stress• Calm students down after physical

activities or conflict• Help children stay calm in tense

situations• Combat test anxiety• Decrease hyperactivity

Slide 22

• Improve school performance• Teach students a relaxation response to

use any time• Increase concentration• Encourage listening skills• Encourage positive thinking and self talk

Strategies, con’t.

Optional: Complete “Washer Activity”. Participant Handout #1

Slide 23

• Relaxation Breathing• Progressive Muscle Relaxation• Massage• Sedative Music• Movement• Active Imagination• Yoga

Optional: Ask participants what strategies they currently use.

Slide 24

Breathe In and Out slowlyBreathe In and Out slowly

Complete Relaxation Breathing Activity: Participant Handout #2

Slide 25 Progressive Muscle Relaxation

•Hands•Arms•Shoulders•Neck•Face•Trunk•Thighs•Knees•Legs•Feet

Complete Progressive Muscle Relaxation Activity: Participant Handout #3

Slide 26

Optional: Practice back or shoulder massage.

Slide 27

Refer to Calming Music and Relaxation: Participant Handout #4 Optional: If facilitator brought in samples of claming music, play at this time and discuss.

Slide 28

Refer participants to Movement Activities Participant Handouts #5 and #6.

Slide 29

Slide 30 Ready… Set… Relax…

Research-based program that systematically provides relaxation activities:

• Muscle relaxation• Deep breathing• Thinking positive thoughts• Listening to relaxing music

by Dr. Roger Klein

Slide 31 Ready… Set…

R- Release scripts to teach breathing and muscle relaxation

E- Enjoy scripts focus on using the creative imagination to feel good about self

L- Learn scripts stress opening the mind to academic motivation and success

A- Appreciate Scripts promote healthy self concept and relationships

X- X-pand scripts apply above concepts to real life

Refer participants to Ready, Set, Relax activities Participant Handout #7. Facilitator reads sample topics in table of contents. Optional: Try a script or 2.

Slide 32

YOGA Movements

Slide 33 Yoga movements addressYoga movements address::

BreathingBreathingStrengthStrengthBalanceBalanceCoordinationCoordinationRelaxationRelaxationEnduranceEndurance

Slide 34 Yoga MovementsYoga Movements

Refer Participants to Yoga Sequences activities Participant Handout #8. Optional: Try some Yoga movements. Optional: Additional examples can be brought in and shared as resources such as Yoga Kit for Kids.

Slide 35 When can you use relaxation?When can you use relaxation?

Anytime! Anytime!

•Transitions•Breaks between subjects•Before work to increase focus•Before test taking•To quiet the class down•After recess

Optional: Group Discussion when/how to use in classroom and examples of what participants feel has work for them to incorporate relaxation into the classroom.

Slide 36 ResourcesResources

•• Other teachers in your schoolOther teachers in your school

•• Building Support StaffBuilding Support Staff--Occupational and Physical Occupational and Physical Therapists, Psychologist, Therapists, Psychologist, Social WorkerSocial Worker

•• Positive Behavior Support Positive Behavior Support TeamTeam

References for these resources are in the brochure. For additional references please refer to References Participant Handout #9.

Slide 37

•• Ready… Set… R.E.L.A.X. Ready… Set… R.E.L.A.X. --www.innercoaching.comwww.innercoaching.com

•• Brain Gym Brain Gym •• 2020--Minute Yoga WorkoutsMinute Yoga Workouts•• Yoga Kit for KidsYoga Kit for Kids•• Yoga for TeensYoga for Teens•• My Relaxation BookMy Relaxation Book

Slide 38 Many thanks to the following for Many thanks to the following for contributions to this presentation:contributions to this presentation:

MMSD OT/PT Committee on RelaxationMMSD OT/PT Committee on RelaxationMMSD Teaching and Learning StaffMMSD Teaching and Learning StaffMMSD Educational Services Program MMSD Educational Services Program

Support Teachers and StaffSupport Teachers and StaffDr. Roger Klein for generously donating Dr. Roger Klein for generously donating

materials and researchmaterials and research

Slide 39

The Madison Metro School District does not discriminate in itseducational programs, related activities (including School-

community Recreation) and employment practices as required byapplicable local, state and federal laws.

December 2004