Teachers play a crucial role in shaping the minds and lives of our children. One important aspect of their job is to help classroom manage their emotions, particularly anxiety in the classroom. By understanding the nervous system and how to maintain its balance, teachers can significantly impact their students’ early childhood mental health and educational wellbeing.
Understanding the Nervous System
The nervous system is the body’s communication network, consisting of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. It controls everything we do, from breathing and moving to thinking and feeling. The central nervous system (CNS) includes the brain and spinal cord, while the peripheral nervous system (PNS) connects the rest of the body to the CNS.
Within the peripheral nervous system, the autonomic nervous system (ANS) plays a key role in regulating stress and relaxation. It has two parts: the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), which prepares the body to “fight or flight” in response to stress, and the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), which helps the body to “rest and digest” and recover after stress.
The Importance of a Balanced Nervous System in Managing Anxiety in the Classroom
A well-regulated nervous system is essential for maintaining overall health and wellbeing. When the nervous system is balanced, students can focus better, handle stress more effectively, and experience fewer emotional and physical problems. However, when the nervous system is out of balance, it can lead to anxiety, difficulty concentrating, sleep issues, and even physical health problems like headaches and stomachaches.
In today’s classrooms, students face numerous stressors, from academic pressures to social challenges. Their developing nervous systems can easily become overwhelmed. By teaching students how to regulate their nervous system, we can help them navigate these challenges more effectively and improve their early childhood mental health and educational wellbeing.
Tips for Helping Students Regulate Their Nervous System
- Create a Calm Classroom Environment: A predictable, calm environment can help students feel safe and secure. Establish regular routines and create a quiet, comfortable space in the classroom for students to retreat to when they feel overwhelmed.
- Teach Deep Breathing: Deep breathing exercises activate the parasympathetic nervous system, helping to calm the body and mind. Incorporate slow, deep breathing exercises into your daily classroom routine to help students manage stress and anxiety.
- Encourage Physical Activity: Regular physical activity can help regulate the nervous system. Incorporate activities like yoga, dancing, or simple exercises into the school day to help students release stress and energy.
- Model Calm Behaviour: Students often mimic the behaviour of the adults around them. By staying calm and composed, especially in stressful situations, you can teach students how to regulate their own responses.
- Incorporate Mindfulness and Meditation: Simple mindfulness exercises or meditation can help students become more aware of their thoughts and feelings, making it easier for them to manage stress and anxiety. Include these practices in your classroom routine to support students’ mental health.
- Promote a Healthy Lifestyle: Encourage students to eat nutritious foods and get adequate sleep. A balanced diet and sufficient rest are crucial for a healthy nervous system and can significantly impact students’ early childhood mental health and educational wellbeing.
Conclusion
Helping students regulate their nervous system is an essential part of supporting their overall health and wellbeing. By creating a calm classroom environment, teaching relaxation techniques, encouraging physical activity, modelling calm behaviour, and incorporating mindfulness practices, we can equip our students with the tools they need to thrive. Remember, a balanced nervous system is the foundation for a happy, healthy, and resilient child.
Explore how the M.Y.T.E. Programme empowers school children to manage their thoughts and feelings with our engaging 4-step toolkit for nervous system regulation. Click here to learn more.