Classrooms can be stressful for students and teachers, especially now during these difficult times.  Over stimulating environments or unrealistic academic expectations are two examples of what can make stress levels start to rise. Not to mention, the fear of illness right now or difficulties at home for students and staff.  Here are 5 suggestions on how to reduce student stress in the classroom.

How to Reduce Student Stress in the Classroom (It may help staff, too!)

There are several simple steps you can take to make your classroom a more peaceful and calm environment.

Reduce Visual Clutter

Psychological Science published research indicating that children in highly decorated classrooms were more distracted, spent more time off-task and demonstrated smaller learning gains than when the decorations were removed. The 24 kindergarteners were placed in laboratory classrooms that were heavily decorated or sparsely decorated and taught lessons. The following results were reported: children learned in both classroom types but they learned more when the room was not heavily decorated, children’s accuracy on the test questions was higher in the sparse classroom(55 percent correct) than in the decorated classroom(42 percent correct), and the rate of off-task behavior was higher in the decorated classroom (38.6 percent time spent off-task) than in the sparse classroom (28.4 percent time spent off-task).

To reduce student stress in the classroom, limit visual distraction and displays.

Reduce Noise Levels

Sometimes children can be LOUD!  Imagine trying to learn when the noise level is too high.  By establishing reasonable noise levels in the classroom it prevents overstimulation.  Students may need to be taught what appropriate noise levels are acceptable.  Try using a noise meter for a visual cue.

Create routines where students know at certain times of the day it is quiet time to reset the brain. For example, set 15 minutes after lunch or recess for quiet time.  Students can read quietly, perhaps use their computers for educational games, or grab quiet activities to complete such as word searches or mazes.

Provide a Quiet Area for All Students

Establish an area in the classroom where students can go for some quiet time.  Provide noise cancelling headphones or quiet, soft music for children to calm down.  Maybe place a few pillows or comfortable seating that can be sanitized in a corner for a calm down space. Provide visual pictures to help students relax before a test or after a stressful situation.

Calming Strategies – Classroom edition includes 26 full page strategies for students to use in the classroom to help them to calm down.  The packet also includes: smaller versions of the cards to print and put on a key ring and a choice board with small picture icons.  It is in full color and black and white.

Maintain a Routine

If you can only implement one suggestion for hoe to reduce student stress in the classroom, it should be to maintain a routine. When students and staff know what to expect, stress is reduced.

Set Realistic Expectations

Make sure students are educated on what your expectations are to maintain a peaceful classroom.  Keep in mind as teachers and therapists, students can only sit still for so long.  Provide movement and brain breaks throughout the day.  Physical activity can help to reduce stress.

Be aware that all students are different and certain students may lack the self regulation skills to remain calm during the school day.  Try teaching students some calming strategies for the classroom.

Reference: Medical Express. Heavily decorated classrooms disrupt attention and learning in young children. Retrieved from the web at http://medicalxpress.com/news/2014-05-heavily-classrooms-disrupt-attention-young.html#nwlt on 5/28/14.

What If Your Student is Learning at Home?

If your students are learning at home right now, the same five suggestions would apply to reduce stress for your students. If teachers and parents have the same expectations, this adds even further to create the peaceful environment for students to learn.

This set of Calm Down Cards includes 30 full size photographs with calming phrases (11″ by 8.5″ page) and smaller size (4″ by 3″ cards). Print the full size cards or the smaller size cards. You could also laminate the smaller cards to place on a key ring to toss in a calm down kit. Children can simply use visual imagery with the photos to help them calm down. Another option is to view the photographs with calming phrases and music as a PowerPoint show on your computer, tablet or phone.  Find out more information.