Tips for Teachers: Supporting Anxious Kids Online & In Class
We are now over two years into the pandemic. Therefore, two years wrestling with this hybrid model of both in person and online learning. Whatever our personal thoughts and experience, remote learning is no doubt here to stay for the long term, in some capacity.
Regardless of where the pandemic heads from this point, in 2022 it is expected that children have access to devices during learning time. Teachers are now expected to be digitally savvy more than ever. It’s standard to offer significant aspects of learning via online and digital interfaces.
Our little ones are navigating a new era of schooling, thrust on them through happenstance rather than plans. Not only can this be taking a toll on their learning, it can also affect their school time, life and social experiences. Overall, this can have negative impacts on mental health if left unattended.
To add to the load, our teachers are going through a similar process. Increased learning curves, dynamic responsibility and flexibility are now required of teachers. It can become a burden on our wonderful educators’ shoulders.
Thankfully, teachers don’t have to go it alone. Our founder Louise, a Psychologist with over 20 years of experience, knows that caring for our teachers' mental health and wellbeing is pivotal. It’s not only the right thing to do, it also passes the benefits on to our little ones.
School teachers need to be equipped with tools for the benefit of their own mental health, as well as their students. There are many fantastic strategies and activities for supporting children’s mental health and wellbeing.
These tools are mutually beneficial. Remember, happy kids make for happy teachers.
Gheorg want to help everyone navigate education throughout this pandemic and beyond.
So, below we have shared Gheorg's founder and psychologist Dr Louise Metcalf’s expertise of tips and tricks for teachers to support kids to feel calm in the classroom and online, including:
Mindful Moments
Games & Giggles
Having Even More Fun
Facing Feelings
Other healthy habits for kids in the classroom
Mindful Moments
Daily Check-Ins
Alongside integrating healthy habits, it’s great to make mindfulness and checking in with our breath part of class each day. We highly recommend the Gheorg app to support teachers in making this a part of their curriculum.
Mindful colouring
Colouring in is a great ‘brain break’ for little one. It’s some time to focus on just 1 thing (deeply). Use pictures or templates like mandalas, or the Gheorg First Birthday Colouring Book. Teachers can make this activity even more mindful by encouraging self-direction, and no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ colours.
Breathing
Gheorg and Gheorg-e do Bubble breaths to calm themselves. Like blowing a bubble. Breathe in slowly for 3 (check the app) and out slowly for 3 (don't burst that bubble) then repeat 3 times.
Games & Giggles
Mindful Movement
Movement is really useful for reducing anxiety symptoms. It helps to use up uncomfortable energy and create some feel good chemicals in the brain!
Zoom Dancing
Doing a zoom dance session after you've covered the serious stuff can be a great idea.
Move Emotions
Pick 1 common emotion (e.g. anger). Then discuss with the class:
Where do they feel that emotion in their body?
What do they do when they feel that way (stomp feet, cry)?
What can help them deal with that emotion? (Time by themself, hug, throw a pillow, exercise, listen to music).
Use your own examples to help the discussion.
Don’t Forget Fun
Crack Jokes
Laughter is a great way to diffuse strong feelings of any kind. This is particularly true for anxiety. So, find ways to make things funny, or crack jokes with the class over Zoom. You may find it’s really powerful.
Scavenger Hunt
Pick a letter in the alphabet and have kids go find things that start with that. How many can they find in 2 mins (or do 1 to find in 60 seconds then pick another letter)?
Facing Feelings
Close with a gratitude.
Making Memories
This is an exercise to help students build positive memories. Encourage children to think of one good thing they've experienced in the last day or so. This improves the ability to balance negative thinking with positive thinking.
Hope and Positivity
Sit in a circle, allowing each child to take a turn to speak. Ask your class to share something they are looking forward to (today/this week/weekend).?
Positive Reflections
Ask your students to share the most fun thing they did last week / weekend. This could be a writing exercise or a drawing. It could also be verbal, with a game to decide who speaks next (like the last letter of their first name, or paper/scissors/rock).
Talk about anxiety with kids - address the Elephant in the Room
Talk About Anxiety -
Worrying a bit is normal. Especially in difficult times like during a pandemic. Teachers can talk about their own anxiety and role model how to manage it.
Through leading by example, teachers show children that it is possible to both
a) have these feelings and;
b) also be okay.
Normalise Big Emotions - Let kids know we all feel big emotions in times of worry or change. Both kids and adults. Talking can help. Ask students to reflect on this question: who is someone you could talk to?
Healthful habits for happy kids in the classroom
Integrate small reminders throughout the day to check in with little learners.
Mindful Bellies
Too much unhealthy food can create agitation when you're feeling anxious. We can encourage children to opt for nutritious food most of the time.
Teachers can do this by:
Exploring food knowledge (colour, smell, taste, texture, biology)
Not using polarising language like ‘good’ & ‘bad’ foods
Reflecting on how we feel (before, during and after a meal)
Modelling balanced eating habits
Hydrate
Remind kids to have water breaks regularly during the day. Being hydrated helps their minds and bodies work even better. Kids can mark their drink bottles for each hour of the school day. Teachers can make a fun game for students to hit their milestone each hour! Or, reflect on why students did or didn’t meet the milestone.
Posture
Spending lots of time at a desk learning on screens can take its toll on little ones posture. Integrate some Zoom chair stretching breaks into the curriculum. Demonstrate small movements for students. A few ideas are:
Twirling wrists
Stretching fingers
Shoulders up and down
Tapping feet on the floor
Twisting the torso left and right
Overall, practising the above skills is part of a healthy learning environment for children. For children directly experiencing anxiety, it is key for them to thrive.
Our goal is to nurture little ones to become resilient adults. We can do this by equipping them with the skills to think critically. And by giving them the education needed to navigate a changing future.
If you would like to access more resources for supporting student mental health, you can check out our anxiety resources, or discover more about the Gheorg app’s therapeutic benefits.