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Preparing Students for the Holiday Break & Mental Health First Aid Training
EduMatch® News
December 05, 2023
EduMatch® connects educators worldwide with similar passions and interests who wish to grow and expand their learning.
Preparing Students for the Holiday Break: A Compassionate Approach
No matter how you celebrate the holidays, the break from school is often assumed to be met with excited anticipation as teachers and students alike take some time to rejuvenate. However, for some students (and even adults), this time might be challenging for various reasons, and they might not find the time off from school as comforting as some might expect. If we are proactive and recognize this as teachers, there are some tools we can equip students with to try to positively impact their time away from school.
Below are some ideas that could be implemented by teachers to set students up with a more positive experience than they might have otherwise had. It would be important to talk through them with the students so they are confident in what they are doing, and that they have all the tools and resources necessary to complete the task.
Meditation for Emotional Balance | One valuable skill to teach students before the break is meditation. A simple, five-minute daily meditation practice can significantly impact students' well-being. Meditation fosters self-awareness, reduces stress, and helps in managing emotions – invaluable skills during potentially tumultuous times. Activity Suggestion: Mindful Minutes Prior to the break, introduce a daily five-minute meditation session in the classroom. Guide students through basic breathing techniques. Encourage students to maintain this practice during the holiday, perhaps at a regular time each day. |
Learning Through Online Educational Games | Educational games can be a great way to keep students engaged academically. Many online platforms offer free, fun, and educational games that cover a range of subjects. Activity Suggestion: Game-Based Learning Quest Provide a list of educational game websites in subjects like math, science, and language arts. Set up a light-hearted competition or a series of challenges for students to complete over the break. Encourage students to share their achievements or favorite games when they return. |
Indoor Exercise Videos for Physical Wellness | Physical activity is crucial for maintaining mental and physical health, particularly during a period of extended indoor time. Creating videos with simple, quiet exercises can be immensely beneficial. Teacher-Created Activity: Holiday Fitness Series Collaborate with the gym teacher or district wellness coordinator to create a series of five-minute exercise videos. Ensure these exercises are suitable for small spaces and don’t require special equipment. Use a platform like Flip to enable students to share their experiences or thoughts about the exercises, promoting a sense of community and shared goals. However, similar to the online educational games, ensure that access to a device and WiFi is not a barrier for any student. |
Art and Creativity Projects | Art can be a therapeutic and expressive outlet for students, offering a way to explore creativity without focusing on their personal life. Teacher-Guided Activity: Expressive Art Projects Propose various art projects such as drawing, painting, or digital art creation. If possible, offer students to take supplies home to participate, or choose art projects that can be done with anything found around the house. To get you started, here is a link with ideas. And don’t think that just because they’re high schoolers that they won’t like this stuff! Encourage students to express their feelings, dreams, or abstract concepts through their artwork. Offer an opportunity to share their art after the break if they wish, but ensure there is no pressure to do so. |
Compassionate Send-Off
Providing students with alternative activities that can keep them busy and support their mental health is one of the ways we can proactively recognize the diverse experiences of our students and help them find joy and comfort during the holiday season.
New Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Training Through EduMatch Learning!
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, is skills-based training that teaches people how to identify, understand and respond to signs and symptoms of a mental health or substance use challenge.
Similar to physical First Aid and CPR, MHFA helps you assist someone experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis until professional assistance is obtained or the crisis is resolved.
Mental Health First Aiders learn a 5-step Action Plan to recognize warning signs of a mental health or substance use challenge, provide help in crisis and non-crisis situations and understand where to turn for additional assistance. The 5-step Action Plan (ALGEE) is: Assess for risk of suicide or harm; listen nonjudgmentally; give reassurance and information; encourage appropriate professional help; and encourage self-help and other support strategies.
The new MHFA curriculum gives First Aiders working definitions for trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It describes the types of crises associated with trauma and emphasizes the importance of early intervention following a traumatic event. First Aiders receive clear guidance for supporting someone immediately after a traumatic event, as well as over the time that follows. This added instruction on trauma will help First Aiders better assess and respond to situations where they encounter someone dealing with trauma related to COVID-19 or other events.
The MHFA curriculum helps First Aiders understand what self-care is and the various forms it can take. The curriculum demonstrates how self-care is important to resilience and recovery, and then helps First Aiders develop their own self-care action plans that they can use to navigate traumas and stressors.
MHFA courses to certify adults in MHFA for Youth can be taught to any district employee. We also offer this training to parent groups and it has been a popular addition for districts or parents with the desire to connect the community to these resources. We also offer MHFA for Adults. Inquire through the button above.
WE ARE SCHEDULING NOW for 2024 and the dates available are quickly dwindling. Reach out for more information!
EduMatch Resources You Might Find Interesting:
 | Navigating AI Together: A FREE AI video course Check out our other online courses here. |
 Aubrey Bright in The Games We Play by Jennifer Casa-Todd and Leigh Cassell | Check out our new children’s book release Aubrey Bright in The Games We Play! |
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