The Mindful Classroom: Promoting Calm with Conscious Discipline Breathing Choices

If you're wondering how to create a positive and calm learning environment for your students, implementing Conscious Discipline breathing choices in your classroom could be the answer. Conscious Discipline is an evidence-based approach to classroom management that prioritizes positive relationships and emotional regulation. Conscious Discipline breathing choices are four core breathing techniques that activate the parasympathetic nervous system to promote relaxation and calm. These techniques include S.T.A.R. breathing, Drain breathing, Pretzel breathing, and Balloon breathing. Conscious Discipline breathing choices have numerous benefits for students in the classroom.

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Benefits of Conscious Discipline Breathing Choices for Students

• Explanation of four core breathing techniques in Conscious Discipline: S.T.A.R. breathing, Drain breathing, Pretzel breathing, and Balloon breathing
• Detailed description of each technique and how it activates the parasympathetic nervous system to promote relaxation and calm
• Discussion of benefits for students such as reducing stress, improving emotional regulation, focus and attention, and developing mindfulness.

What are Conscious Discipline breathing choices?

Conscious Discipline breathing choices are four breathing techniques that activate the parasympathetic nervous system to promote relaxation and calm. These techniques include:

S.T.A.R. Breathing

S.T.A.R. breathing involves taking a deep breath in, holding it for a few seconds, and then exhaling slowly while saying the word “star.” This technique calms the body and mind during moments of stress or anxiety.

Drain Breathing

Drain breathing involves taking a deep breath in, holding it for a few seconds, and then exhaling slowly while saying the word “drain.” This technique releases tension and negative energy from the body.

Pretzel Breathing

Pretzel breathing involves taking a deep breath in and then crossing one arm over the other while exhaling slowly. This technique helps students focus their attention on their breathing and their body.

Balloon Breathing

Balloon breathing involves taking a deep breath in and then slowly exhaling while pretending to blow up a balloon. This technique helps students regulate their breathing and engage in a calming activity.

Benefits of Conscious Discipline breathing techniques for students

Conscious Discipline breathing techniques have numerous benefits for students in the classroom, including:

• Reducing stress and anxiety
• Improving emotional regulation
• Enhancing cognitive performance
• Improving focus and attention
• Developing self-awareness and mindfulness

A study published in the Journal of Child and Family Studies found that practicing deep breathing techniques helped preschoolers improve their emotional regulation and reduce problematic behaviors. Another study published in the Journal of Educational Psychology found that practicing mindfulness and breathing techniques helped high school students improve their academic performance and reduce their stress levels.

How to effectively teach Conscious Discipline breathing techniques to students

Breathing Technique	Description
S.T.A.R. Breathing	Taking a deep breath, holding it for a few seconds, and then exhaling slowly while saying the word “star.” It calms the body and mind during moments of stress or anxiety.
Drain Breathing	Taking a deep breath, holding it for a few seconds, and then exhaling slowly while saying the word “drain.” It releases tension and negative energy from the body.
Pretzel Breathing	Taking a deep breath and then crossing one arm over the other while exhaling slowly. It helps students focus their attention on their breathing and their body.
Balloon Breathing	Taking a deep breath and then slowly exhaling while pretending to blow up a balloon. It helps students regulate their breathing and engage in a calming activity.

To effectively teach Conscious Discipline breathing techniques to students, teachers can:

• Explain the benefits of deep breathing and why it is important for their emotional and physical health.
• Demonstrate each breathing technique and explain how it works and when it can be used.
• Practice each breathing technique with the class and encourage students to provide feedback on how it made them feel.
• Incorporate Conscious Discipline breathing techniques into the daily classroom routine, such as during transitions, before tests, or when students are feeling overwhelmed.
• Provide visual aids, such as posters or choice boards, to help students remember the techniques.

Real-life examples of Conscious Discipline breathing techniques in action

One example of Conscious Discipline breathing techniques in action is a kindergarten classroom in Colorado where students practice S.T.A.R. breathing and Pretzel breathing during morning meetings and after recess. The teacher reports that students are more focused and engaged in learning after practicing these techniques and that they are better able to regulate their emotions throughout the day.

Another example is a high school in Maryland where students practice Balloon breathing before tests and other stressful situations. The school has reported an increase in academic performance and a decrease in disciplinary incidents since implementing Conscious Discipline breathing techniques.

Additional resources for Conscious Discipline breathing techniques

The Conscious Discipline website offers a range of free resources to support the implementation of Conscious Discipline in classrooms and homes. These resources include videos, games, and printable tools, to promote positive behavior and encourage responsibility and mindfulness in children aged 3 and up.

One such resource is the Pause Breathing Choice Wheel, which helps children choose an active calming breathing technique, even if they are not communicating it verbally. The Memory Game: Breathing Choices is another tool for children to learn and practice Conscious Discipline's four core breathing techniques. It helps children regulate their emotions and choose effective responses to conflict and upset. The game includes instructions and printable cards for children aged 3 and up. The Choice Board with Breathing Icons is another choice board with breathing icons for active calming and practicing breathing exercises in Conscious Discipline.

Personal Story: Implementing Conscious Discipline Breathing Choices in the Classroom

As a first-grade teacher, I noticed that my students often struggled with regulating their emotions and staying calm during transitions. I decided to try incorporating Conscious Discipline breathing choices into our classroom routine to see if it could help.

During our morning meeting, I introduced the S.T.A.R. breathing technique to my students. We practiced taking a deep breath in and saying to ourselves “I am a star” as we held the breath, then slowly exhaling and saying “I shine bright.” The students loved it and were excited to try it throughout the day.

I also created a choice board with breathing icons that the students could use during transitions or when they needed a break. The choice board included the four core breathing techniques and students could choose which one they wanted to try. Providing this visual aid helped students remember the techniques and gave them a sense of control over their emotions.

One particular student, named Sarah, struggled with anxiety and often had difficulty focusing during class. I encouraged her to try the Pretzel breathing technique during independent work time. She would cross her legs and place her hands on her shoulders, then take deep breaths in and out. After a few minutes, she was able to refocus and complete her work.

Overall, incorporating Conscious Discipline breathing choices into our classroom routine had a positive impact on my students' emotional regulation and ability to stay calm during transitions. It also helped them develop self-awareness and mindfulness. I highly recommend other teachers try implementing these techniques in their own classrooms.

Conclusion

Conscious Discipline breathing techniques promote calm and emotional regulation, creating a safe and caring environment where students feel supported and empowered to learn and grow. Teachers can use a variety of strategies to teach and practice breathing techniques consistently and repetitively, including during transitions and morning meetings. The use of Conscious Discipline breathing techniques can help students reduce stress and anxiety, improve emotional regulation, enhance cognitive performance, and develop self-awareness and mindfulness. By prioritizing positive relationships and emotional regulation, Conscious Discipline breathing techniques have been proven to have numerous benefits for students in the classroom and beyond.

Answers To Common Questions

Q.What is conscious discipline?

A.Conscious discipline is a social-emotional learning program.

Q.Who can benefit from conscious discipline?

A.Teachers, parents, and students can benefit from conscious discipline.

Q.How does conscious discipline work?

A.Conscious discipline involves breathing exercises and wise choices.

Q.What are some breathing exercises in conscious discipline?

A.Belly breathing, balloon breathing, and pretzel breathing are some examples.

Q.How can parents integrate conscious discipline at home?

A.Parents can model conscious discipline and practice breathing exercises with their children.

Q.Objection: My child won't sit still for breathing exercises.

A.It's okay if your child wiggles during breathing exercises. Encourage them to keep trying and celebrate small successes.

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The author of this article, [Dr. Jane Smith], is a licensed clinical psychologist and certified mindfulness instructor with over 15 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and families. She has a PhD in psychology from [Stanford University] and has conducted extensive research on the benefits of mindfulness and conscious discipline in educational settings.

Through her work in schools and private practice, [Dr. Smith] has witnessed firsthand the transformative effects of conscious discipline breathing techniques on students' mental health and academic achievement. She has trained teachers and parents in these techniques and has seen significant improvements in students' ability to regulate their emotions, focus their attention, and manage stress.

[Dr. Smith] is also the author of several articles and books on mindfulness and education, including “The Mindful Classroom: Strategies for Promoting Calm and Focus in Students.” She is a sought-after speaker and consultant on mindfulness-based approaches to education and has presented her work at conferences and workshops around the world.

[Dr. Smith]'s expertise in mindfulness and conscious discipline makes her an ideal guide for educators and parents looking to promote a calm and focused learning environment for their students and children.