Teacher Self-Care for the Holidays
This simple act of self-care helps your body and mind recharge each night.
What is sleep?
Every behavior serves a purpose. The 4 most common functions of behavior are attention, escape, tangible, and this one.
What is sensory (or automatic reinforcement)?
This SEL skill helps students recognize and understand their own feelings, thoughts, and values.
What is self-awareness?
Allowing short movement or stretch breaks can help students with ADHD maintain this.
What is attention or focus?
This term describes the shared beliefs, values, and attitudes that shape how students and staff interact in a school.
What is school culture?
During the busy holiday season, taking 5-10 short minute breaks to stretch, breathe, or step outside can help reduce this common stress-related feeling.
What is burnout or stress?
A student who calls out in class because they like when the teacher responds is seeking this function.
What is attention?
This skill involves managing one's emotions, thoughts, and behaviors effectively in different situations.
What is self-management?
Teaching coping strategies for frustration or impulsivity falls under this type of support.
What is social-emotional learning (SEL)?
A positive school culture helps students feel this, which increases motivation and academic success.
What is sense of belonging?
This self-care strategy involves saying this short but powerful word to protect your energy and boundaries when overcommitted.
What is "no?"
A student who rips up a worksheet to avoid completing it is motivated by this behavioral function.
What is escape or avoidance?
Understanding how others feel and seeing things from their perspective demonstrates this SEL competency.
What is social awareness?
Pairing students with ADHD with peers for group work or mentoring is an example of this.
What is peer support or social scaffolding?
Schools with strong cultures often see decreases in this type of behavior that disrupts learning.
What is negative or inappropriate behavior?
Teachers often give to others, but during the holidays it's important to "fill your own cup." This phrase refers to engaging in activities that replenish your emotional and physical energy, such as hobbies or time with loved ones.
What is self-compassion or recharging yourself?
When a student behaves appropriately to earn access to a preferred toy, the behavior is maintained by this function.
What is tangible reinforcement?
The ability to make caring and constructive choices about personal and social behavior is called this.
What is responsible decision-making?
Role-playing situations, teaching self-talk, and modeling appropriate responses help students develop this.
What is self-regulation or emotional control?
When teachers feel supported and valued, this aspect of school culture improves, leading to better instruction and collaboration.
What is staff morale?
Research shows that gratitude practices like writing 3 positive reflections each day can improve mood and reduce holiday stress by reshaping this part of the brain responsible for emotion regulation.
What is amygdala (or prefrontal cortex, depending on interpretation) both of which are linked to emotional regulation)?
A student rocks in their chair or hums quietly because it feels calming or stimulating. The behavior serves this internal function.
What is sensory automatic reinforcement?
This SEL skill includes communicating clearly, listening actively, cooperating, and resisting inappropriate social pressure.
What is relationship skills?
Helping a student recognize triggers for distraction, frustration, or off-task behavior involves teaching this skill.
What is self-awareness or self-monitoring?
This long-term benefit of a healthy school culture insures that values, expectations, and traditions continue to thrive even with new staff or leadership.
What is sustainability or continuity of school success?