Stillness – Slowing Things Down For Children

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Life in my classroom before the holiday break was a bit crazy.  As I am sure every teacher and parent understands, the kids were increasingly excited as Christmas approached, and I had more and more trouble holding their attention.  I was beginning to feel like a circus performer or a tap dancer, trying my hardest to captivate them while competing against the million and one things running through their minds.

Unconsciously, I realized I was speeding up along with my kids.  I found that I was ending writing workshop time sooner, wrapping up partner discussions earlier, and zipping through activities.  I thought  that I was adapting to work with their attention spans.  However, I came to realize that by zipping and speeding along, I was actually shortening their attention spans myself!  I needed to slow down….

As teachers, we are meant to set the pace, and then help our students to match us.  We want them to look to us to see what to do, and then follow our lead.  In thinking about this, I remembered Mr. Rogers.  My mom told me once that Mr. Rogers had been told that his television show was too slow for young children.  It was suggested that he pick up the pace and be more like Sesame Street – short, speedy segments to keep up with the kids.  Mr. Rogers stood firm and maintained a soothing, calm program that moved slowly.  Slowly through speech, scenes, and routines.  And, if you ask my mom, my brother and I were captivated.  Mr. Rogers set the pace, and we were happy to join him on his peaceful journey.

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With all of this in mind, I worked to create a bit more stillness in my classroom in December.  One way that I did this was through yoga.  I have been using yoga stories with my students, and they respond wonderfully when we slow down and breathe together.  In fact, their favorite part (along with mine) is the final rest pose.  I have all of the kids stretch out on the floor, close their eyes, and do some visualizations.  It takes a few minutes for them all the settle in, but there are a few moments when they are still and calm.  It is incredible for them and me.

I also worked to adjust my environment.  In keeping with the idea of the environment as the third teacher, I wanted to create a calming atmosphere.  I invested in some lights and lanterns, and when we needed to slow down, we turned out our regular lights and enjoyed the dimmer lights.

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A colleague once told me that stillness is almost absent from children’s lives.  They are always doing, watching, listening, etc.  If you take a minute to notice all of the stimuli in our classrooms at any given time, it is overwhelming.  Her goal was to give her students an increasing number of minutes of stillness each day.  The hope was to match their age (five minutes of stillness for a five year old.)

I can say that slowing down my teaching, my breathing, my talking, and my otherwise racing around was powerful for me, and my students, this December, and I plan to work to keep this in mind in the new year.

How do you slow down life for your students?  What techniques, activities, or methods do you suggest to help bring a little peace and stillness back to their busy lives?

6 Responses to Stillness – Slowing Things Down For Children

  1. Valerie B December 26, 2012 at 10:22 pm #

    I love this concept. Even though I’ve taught for 19 years, this is only my 3rd year in a 2nd grade classroom (I taught special education resource before). Initially I was impressed that my students wanted to stay busy in the classrom, but then I realized that it’s because they don’t know how to wait. They can’t just sit for a few minutes without doing something. I now build in time when they have to just sit and wait. Wow, that’s hard. It’s also really something important to teach in this day and age. Thank you for highlighting it.

    • Teaching Ace December 27, 2012 at 9:59 am #

      It is hard, isn’t it? I always try to balance movement activities and sitting activities for my little ones. I was noticing in the weeks before Christmas that we were moving a LOT more, but they were certainly not any calmer. I was doing a great job at getting them riled up, but really, they needed me to help them slow down!

  2. MATexidor February 17, 2013 at 3:58 pm #

    I think what you have stated is absolutely on target! What kind of yoga do you use and how can I get some ideas? (I’m a yoga novice…in reality I know no more than what my Wii has taught me! LOL!) I have tried yoga from a you tube video for kids before but I don’t believe it accomplished what I was looking for …to center their little minds and find some calmness within. I teach a Kindergarten Collaborative Class (special ed + General ed together) I would love to hear your ideas!
    Thanks,
    M

    • Teaching Ace February 18, 2013 at 11:12 pm #

      Thanks! I have done a few different things with yoga. Initially I simply brought back the things I was learning in my own yoga classes, and taught them to the kids. I began by teaching them different poses, and after a while I taught them some of the flow (I love vinyasa!) I really enjoyed this with my kids, and they definitely got into it. I found this to be pretty calming for them. Even on days when I was frustrated with silliness erupting during yoga, I know it was sinking in, because weeks later the kids were practicing the poses with intensity!

      I bought the book YogaKids: Educating the Whole Child Through Yoga by Marsha Wenig, which has been a great resource. http://www.amazon.com/YogaKids-Educating-Whole-Child-Through/dp/1584792922

      This year we asked a yoga instructor from my studio to come in and do a workshop with our kindergarten students. This really opened my eyes to a whole different way of doing yoga with kids. She told a story through the poses. Rather than teaching the kids the traditional names of poses and having them practice, she simply told a story that incorporated poses throughout. I loved this, as it was a fantastic way of incorporating movement with oral storytelling. I have since been attending Yoga for Kids with my daughter, and this storytelling approach is how we do things. I have created a couple of yoga stories that you can check out in my store if you are interested: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Yoga-Story-Baby-Dragon-Hatching-Use-Movement-to-Teach-Storytelling

      http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Yoga-Story-Halloween-Use-Movement-to-Teach-Storytelling

      This approach to yoga is very different from the adult yoga I am used to. Kids are moving, talking, pretending, laughing, making animal noises – you name it. I find that it is much more active, and that slow introspection comes at the very end with savasana.

      So, I guess it all depends on what you feel comfortable with, and what your kids enjoy. Hope that helps!

  3. D February 17, 2013 at 9:38 pm #

    I agree with you! Children rarely have any down time and need time to refocus, calm themselves, and just be. I would also like to know what type of yoga you use. I know nothing about it except that you can sit in a lotus position and say “oooommmmm”!

    • Teaching Ace February 18, 2013 at 11:13 pm #

      Thanks! I have done a few different things with yoga. Initially I simply brought back the things I was learning in my own yoga classes, and taught them to the kids. I began by teaching them different poses, and after a while I taught them some of the flow (I love vinyasa!) I really enjoyed this with my kids, and they definitely got into it. I found this to be pretty calming for them. Even on days when I was frustrated with silliness erupting during yoga, I know it was sinking in, because weeks later the kids were practicing the poses with intensity!

      I bought the book YogaKids: Educating the Whole Child Through Yoga by Marsha Wenig, which has been a great resource. http://www.amazon.com/YogaKids-Educating-Whole-Child-Through/dp/1584792922

      This year we asked a yoga instructor from my studio to come in and do a workshop with our kindergarten students. This really opened my eyes to a whole different way of doing yoga with kids. She told a story through the poses. Rather than teaching the kids the traditional names of poses and having them practice, she simply told a story that incorporated poses throughout. I loved this, as it was a fantastic way of incorporating movement with oral storytelling. I have since been attending Yoga for Kids with my daughter, and this storytelling approach is how we do things. I have created a couple of yoga stories that you can check out in my store if you are interested: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Yoga-Story-Baby-Dragon-Hatching-Use-Movement-to-Teach-Storytelling

      http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Yoga-Story-Halloween-Use-Movement-to-Teach-Storytelling

      This approach to yoga is very different from the adult yoga I am used to. Kids are moving, talking, pretending, laughing, making animal noises – you name it. I find that it is much more active, and that slow introspection comes at the very end with savasana.

      So, I guess it all depends on what you feel comfortable with, and what your kids enjoy. Hope that helps!