Let’s start by telling everyone who you are and where you are from. #SCCHAT.
I’m Erin Hordyski Luong High School Counsellor in Calgary, Alberta #scchat
So excited to hear from all of you about this topic! #scchat
t’s time to begin the Q & A live chat in #SCCHAT! I’ll ask Q1 and you’ll start your response with A1 and so on! Let’s collaborate #hscchat#cscchat#SCCrowd#escchat
Anyone else out there who is interested in a School Counsellor chat is welcome to join in with us in #scchat
Reminder: Don’t forget to include #SCCHAT in your responses!
Anyone else out there who is interested in a School Counsellor chat is welcome to join in with us in #scchat
Reminder: Don’t forget to include #SCCHAT in your responses!
A1. I use a book on Mindfulness to talk to students about emotion regulation.
One of the activities challenges students to identify where their emotion falls on a timeline. #scchat
A1: I’m using the MindUp curriculum and teaching my kids mindfulness strategies. Right now we are doing mindful tasting and they are loving it 😂 #scchat
A1. I use a book on Mindfulness to talk to students about emotion regulation.
One of the activities challenges students to identify where their emotion falls on a timeline. #scchat
A1. Discussing the benefits of mindfulness in the classroom with Ts. Teaching Ss about how mindfulness reduces stress and is a life long skill. Also, a Yoga Club for students (and teachers that sneak in). #SCCHAT
A1: I had a student self regulate using mindfulness. I was busy, so she took my headphones connected them to her phone and put on headspace and deescalated #sogreat what we hope they will do #scchat
A1: I need more ideas on how to do this well, when to do it, with which issues mindfulness is going to help a child. I am really curious about this. #scchat
I’m having them sample various things. They do a taste test between different types of soda and see what observations they make (I tell them what it is at the end) and then I have foods that are sweet, salty, sour, and bitter. They use their senses to experience it. #scchat
A1: I had a student self regulate using mindfulness. I was busy, so she took my headphones connected them to her phone and put on headspace and deescalated #sogreat what we hope they will do #scchat
A1 I teach several quick practices in my school counseling techniques class to help sc students learn how to clear their minds in order to be more present in their sessions #scchat
I put a few apps on my office devices and have actively been trying mindfulness activities in my own time. I tell students that I wasn't sure at first but it is really working. Some get more interested after hearing I have it a try. #scchat
I’m having them sample various things. They do a taste test between different types of soda and see what observations they make (I tell them what it is at the end) and then I have foods that are sweet, salty, sour, and bitter. They use their senses to experience it. #scchat
A1: We are offering a cool down club during the day on Fridays and we played some meditations for the kids. They thought it was goofy, but many found it relaxing. #scchat
I'm so happy you are here @ehordyskiluong taught you well ! Congrats on joining our profession!! Best PD ever twitter !!! And of course this chat especially #scchat
In reply to
@SSheilagh, @counselorPCE, @EHordyskiLuong
I like it. I wish it had more activities. It’s a little science heavy, which I love, but I’m teaching 7th graders and sometimes that’s a struggle. But hopefully this summer I’ll come up with activities to make it more engaging! #scchat
A1 I teach several quick practices in my school counseling techniques class to help sc students learn how to clear their minds in order to be more present in their sessions #scchat
My counseling colleague and I are starting an after school girls group next year and some of our sessions will be on mindfulness, meditation, and yoga. #scchat
A1. Does anyone else teach mindful breathing?
I’ve been using a play therapy technique that uses bubbles to teach students slow, sustained breathing. #scchat
A2) Time is the biggest issue. We don't have an activity period or homeroom, so doing something on a larger scale doesn't fit in easily. We can mostly incorporate mindfulness in one-on-one meetings. #scchat
A2. Biggest challenges is time. Students and teachers time. Studies and examples show a minute or two of mindfulness to start a class can make a difference but even those minutes are tough to give up. #scchat
A1. Does anyone else teach mindful breathing?
I’ve been using a play therapy technique that uses bubbles to teach students slow, sustained breathing. #scchat
A2: I think one barrier is having kids find the space and time to focus on mindfulness and not think it's weird.. adolescents sometimes have their opinions about these things #scchat
A2. Biggest challenges is time. Students and teachers time. Studies and examples show a minute or two of mindfulness to start a class can make a difference but even those minutes are tough to give up. #scchat
Yes!!! I have all of my students deep breathe before we begin class. We watch this video and we do 45 seconds for Little’s and 1.5 for my older kids. And we have various techniques like figure 8 breathing etc https://t.co/6WE0Dj5iJ1#scchat
Yes!!! I have all of my students deep breathe before we begin class. We watch this video and we do 45 seconds for Little’s and 1.5 for my older kids. And we have various techniques like figure 8 breathing etc https://t.co/6WE0Dj5iJ1#scchat
A2. This concept of stillness and quiet is foreign to them. Our Ss are constantly on the go. It’s weird to most at first, but they realize the benefits after giving it a serious chance. #SCCHAT
A2. Other challenge is getting middle school students to buy into and try mindful activities. They think it is too slow, too boring, or too weird. I would like to see mindfulness start at K-3 level so kids grow up with it as normal and important part of the day. #scchat
A2: with my students with anxiety, I write up a support plan including them visualizing a safe place. I ask them to tell me what it feels like, looks like, smells like etc and then they write it out or make a collage about it so when they are panicked we can refer to it #scchat
While researching mindfulness much of the lit spoke to the benefits to staff/teachers implementing and in turn the impact of staff mindfulness on students...appears more study is needed in this area...makes sense though! #scchat
A3: There are always 1000 things to do as school counselors. When we practice mindfulness, we can focus on one at a time and ultimately be more efficient. #scchat
A3) It is so easy to get caught up in the drama and the chaos each day brings. Mindfulness allows us to take a break and refocus with a clearer head. That's always a great thing! #scchat
A3. I became a mindfulness convert this year. Started struggling with a lot of anxiety and developed high blood pressure. Decided to commit to mindfulness activities and it brought me back to who I was before. I feel great. Now I pass this on to others. #scchat
A3: I think this is such a great question! We need to practice what we're teaching. Before a big meeting, during lunch breaks that we NEED to take but rarely do, after a crisis situation- we need to recenter, focus, BREATHE #scchat
A3: well, I think sometimesi just need to take a minute and get myself in the right frame of mind. The cool thing is I model this for my students and show them I need this too. Also they can see the difference between the crabby me & the calm me, so they know it’s legit! #scchat
A3 I have started making a concerted effort to be fully in the moment regardless of what I’m doing, even if it’s chores at home. It’s had a significant effect in my stress level. A speeding brain is a recipe for disaster. #scchat
@SSpellmanCann and I used to start every morning with 10 minutes of @Headspace - my family and students actually noticed my benefits before I did- “you’re so much more relaxed mommy”😘#SCCHAT
Right?! One of my professors recommended driving without the radio on and paying attention to each turn.
The intense awareness can be grounding. #scchat
A3 I have started making a concerted effort to be fully in the moment regardless of what I’m doing, even if it’s chores at home. It’s had a significant effect in my stress level. A speeding brain is a recipe for disaster. #scchat
I really think mindfulness PD for staff would be great. Would help with teacher self care and increase positivity which would increase student positivity. Also, would help teachers see benefit to use with students and more confident in using it with them. #scchat
always be mindful of taking your lunch break I model that for students as well. If it is an emergency I'll take them and I tell them this . I say I need a break #scchat
A3 I've been driving from school to the highway- about 10 minutes or 15, at the end of my work day in silence. No radio, no book on CD, no phone.Just silence to process the day,run through my thoughts, how I feel about what I heard that day. It's SO helpful #scchat
always be mindful of taking your lunch break I model that for students as well. If it is an emergency I'll take them and I tell them this . I say I need a break #scchat
always be mindful of taking your lunch break I model that for students as well. If it is an emergency I'll take them and I tell them this . I say I need a break #scchat
A4. That they can focus on being kids when they are at school.
That we can provide a safe and supportive place for them 5 days a week.
That they will manage stress with healthy coping skills. #scchat
A4) I wish my students had strong support systems at home. I wish they had the resources to get help when they need it. I wish they had someone help them develop coping skills from an early age. #scchat
Great point...I find our large school is busy and I could technically go all day without stopping but making sure I get a decent break has been a big learning point...if I lose my lunch due to an emergency then I make time now #scchat
A4. Wow....can I say everything? I wish they knew that things will work out and I wish they took the time to slow down and be a kid or a teen. I wish they used mindfulness to slow down and live in the present. #scchat
A4 I wish for my students to use their voices. I want to encourage them, motivate them, hear them, advocate for them- but really to teach them to be their own advocate and to speak up using confidence and positive self worth/esteem to know they ARE enough and worthy #scchat
A4) I wish my students had strong support systems at home. I wish they had the resources to get help when they need it. I wish they had someone help them develop coping skills from an early age. #scchat
A4: I just want them to be able to be well functioning people. Life throws a lot at them, and I want to help them develop the skills to manage it all. #scchat
So totally agree. Benefit of small school is I work with K-12 so I do get to instill coping skills in my littles and it helps knowing that when they hit junior high, they’ll have some well developed skills (I hope!!!) #scchat
I hear you- I explain to kids that if I’m doing my job properly I’ll work myself out if it. Empowerment and self advocacy are key skills for our kiddos #scchat
A4 I wish for my students to use their voices. I want to encourage them, motivate them, hear them, advocate for them- but really to teach them to be their own advocate and to speak up using confidence and positive self worth/esteem to know they ARE enough and worthy #scchat
A4. I wish Ss could have many opportunities to practice self regulation skills from a very early age. I wish they learn when life gets tough, it’s okay to reach out for help & defeat the stigma of mental health. #SCCHAT
A4. I wish all students had the support at home to continue to safely work on these skills. But more and more have so much chaos and ACEs at home, even the most resilient and mindful struggle to cope in healthy manner. They are worn out by morning. #scchat
Agreed to both points...that’s why I like to emphasize to most kiddos that I work from a solutions focused approach, to encourage us/them towards a solution... #scchat
A5: mentioned these, but MindUp curriculum, I LOVE Strong kids curriculum...not technically mindfulness but teaching kids emotion regulation. Elmo video https://t.co/6WE0Dj5iJ1#SCCHAT
https://t.co/TajUfZc2Le
This is so hard to see and is ultimately out of our control. The best thing we can do is continue to teach and hope that future generations eventually break that cycle. #scchat
A4. I wish all students had the support at home to continue to safely work on these skills. But more and more have so much chaos and ACEs at home, even the most resilient and mindful struggle to cope in healthy manner. They are worn out by morning. #scchat
A5: I mentioned Mind Yeti, which I like for elementary students. I've also dabbled with MindUp - I really like the way it teaches students about the brain. #scchat
A5. I have two office devices that have apps like Calm, Breathe, and Headspace on them. Some kids also like Zen Tv app. I use that often as well. #scchat
There are tons of mindfulness resources, but the most significant piece is helping students understand that it's about noticing the here and now. #scchat
It's really interesting to me that mindfulness is such a simple, centuries old practice, but that it's so trendy right now. Think that says something about where we are as a society. #scchat
Although a lot of lit stresses that interventions be strictly followed, the reality is that some adaptations may need to be done by teachers/counsellors #scchat
I am loving all this participation . I know some of you want to stretch yourself and join in as a co moderator. We are here to help you ! Sign up here . Great PD https://t.co/tfVepqJhIE#scchat
A6: I *try*!to practice mindful eating which has really helped me cut back on unhealthy foods. But my favorite is deep breathing. I can just tell if I need it and feel so much better when I do it #SCCHAT
A5: mentioned these, but MindUp curriculum, I LOVE Strong kids curriculum...not technically mindfulness but teaching kids emotion regulation. Elmo video https://t.co/6WE0Dj5iJ1#SCCHAT
A6: Honestly? Not enough. I think I do the best with noticing when I'm getting overwhelmed, stressed, etc. When I do that I can do what I need to calm down and keep perspective.
But, I really should do more intentional practice - mindful minutes, etc. #scchat
A6: A little of everything and plenty of room for improvement. Sitting outside in the sun for a few minutes is heavenly, esp. now after a long dreary winter, journaling, use of apps for relaxation, walk with my dogs, decompressing on he way home from work with music. #scchat
A7: utilizing more apps. Our kids are 1:1 but I don’t even think about having them download a mindfulness app, wish I would have this year, it could have helped! #SCCHAT
It is quick and easy. In 10 short minutes, I can refocus and relax. It doesn't seem like work and it's not something I have to be very intentional about. It seems natural. #scchat
A7: utilizing more apps. Our kids are 1:1 but I don’t even think about having them download a mindfulness app, wish I would have this year, it could have helped! #SCCHAT
A6. I do 10 minutes of mindfulness before bed each night. I use Calm. pop up ocean waves or rainstorm & think about day/ my current life/health. I keep all positive. Negatives come up but only if I am thinking through them. I also put my #oneword everywhere as reminder #scchat
