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Let’s hear from Patti Davis, a K-2 special education teacher for autistic support in a public school in Pennsylvania. She has been an educator for 21 years, spending many years as an early childhood teacher, and then pursuing special education. She has discovered a love for teaching neurodivergent children and has enjoyed working with her unique students while helping to promote understanding and acceptance.
I currently use many of the strategies I learned from Yoga 4 Classrooms “Yoga and Mindfulness in the Classroom” workshop in my role as a Special Education Teacher. I teach Autistic Support for grades K-2 in an elementary school setting. Many of my students are non-verbal and need tools to help them when they get frustrated or upset in trying to communicate their wants and needs. Also, any changes to their schedule throughout the day, such as assemblies, fire drills, or other types of safety drills, can cause them to have feelings of anxiety which can lead to behavior outbursts.
I find that many of the “Let’s Breathe” breathing exercises I have learned, such as “Countdown to Calm” breathing or “Flying Bird” breathing are very helpful and easy for my students to do. Encouraging these types of deep breathing exercises helps calm them before they escalate. I also use the cards from the card deck as visuals for them to look at as they are breathing. There are several short “Imagination Vacations” mindful meditations that I learned from Yoga for Classrooms that I use regularly. Using props that I learned from the workshop such as a breathing ball, having my students listen to a focus chime, students taking turns using the chime, or watching a battery color-changing candle while listening to quiet music are some of the techniques I use. I find they are helpful to my students as they give them something to focus on as they are calming down.
The benefits these strategies have had for my students have been tremendous in helping them be able to self-regulate their behavior before their frustrations escalate. We have been able to incorporate them throughout their day, including during their specials, lunch, and recess, and have been able to share them with families to encourage consistency in practicing them at home as well.
We love to hear about the creative ways Yoga 4 Classrooms is used in your classrooms. Thank you Patti for the work you do every day to support your students! We would love to hear how you are using Yoga 4 Classrooms at your school, too. Contact us and share your story!
