Mental Health
Find compassionate perspectives and evidence-based strategies to foster school environments that promote psychological well-being and support students experiencing behavioral, emotional, or social challenges.
Tapping Into the 5 Senses to Support Students With Disabilities
Activities that draw upon the five senses—such as spending time outdoors—can be centering for students in special education.3274Making Students Feel Safe
A trauma-informed approach ensures that students feel safe, supported, and nurtured—to improve their chances of academic success.129.6k
When Students Are Traumatized, Teachers Are Too
Trauma in students’ lives takes an emotional and physical toll on teachers as well. Experts weigh in on the best ways to cope.113.3kA Daily Support System for Students
Students who need extra social and emotional support have a quick check-in with an adult at the start and end of each day.89.9kBuilding a Trauma-Sensitive Space
An administrator shares ideas for giving students a place of their own within the school to use when they need an emotional break.194Self-Regulation Strategies for Transitions
To help young students learn to manage transitions between activities, consider these simple whole class exercises.73.4kWhat to Do About Increasing Dysregulation in the Early Grades
Conflict at school is a normal part of learning how to interact with others—and early-grade teachers have always had to manage misbehavior in class. But not at the levels they’re seeing now.2.5k60-Second Strategy: Snowball Toss
A quick, fun classroom activity fosters open dialogue while releasing pent-up energy.46.2k
Covid-19’s Impact on Students’ Academic and Mental Well-Being
The pandemic has revealed—and exacerbated—inequities that hold many students back. Here’s how teachers can help.28k
A De-escalation Exercise for Upset Students
A simple technique that takes just a few minutes can help an agitated student regain the state of mind needed for learning.24.9k
The How and Why of Trauma-Informed Teaching
In an extraordinary Twitter chat, educators discuss building trauma-informed social and emotional learning environments.33.4k
In High School, the Kids Are Not All Right
With social and academic pressure mounting, a teacher shares what he’s learned about tracking his students’ mental well-being.33.4k
6 Ways to Help Students with ODD
Offering kids choices, safe spaces, and positive reinforcement can help teachers avoid problems—or manage them when they arise.15.6k
Addressing Persistent Defiance
Any student may refuse to cooperate at times, but handling students with oppositional defiant disorder requires that teachers have a plan.26.9kCreating a Dedicated Space for Reflection
Providing students with a quiet spot where they can calm themselves in times of stress helps them develop self-regulation.30k
