by California Casualty | Educators |
Students nowadays are becoming increasingly more stressed and anxious. Teaching mindfulness in the classroom can help students learn to cope with emotional and mental stresses. Students who are mindful demonstrate the ability to control their attention, remain calm, and manage stress. Student mindfulness has been shown to have profound benefits for students. Mindfulness allows students to learn by clearing their minds of the things out of their control.
There are several ways teachers can incorporate student mindfulness practices in the classroom.
Breathing
Breathing exercises help to calm body and mind. Try some guided deep breathing with students to help them relax and release their worries.
Music
Help students relax by listening to soothing music or other calming sounds, like ocean waves, nature sounds, or white noise.
Imagery
In guided imagery, words and music can help students use their imaginations to create imaginary scenarios that may promote relaxation and reduce blood pressure and stress.
Meditation
Daily meditation in schools has been linked to a reduction in suspensions and truancy and an increase in academic proficiency. It also helps relax students and promotes a sense of well-being.
Sensory
Tactile items, like Silly Putty, stress balls, and Play-doh can help encourage young imaginations. Make “I Spy” jars by filling them with items that have strong, familiar smells (cinnamon, flowers, cereals, or popcorn) and have students guess the scent. Use tables covered with water, sand, or rice to focus on sense of touch.
Movement
Students are movers. Incorporate movement into your daily routine as part of your mindfulness practice. Yoga is a preferred practice for mindfulness through movement. It is calming, gentle, and flowing.
Resources
MindYeti.com – A mindfulness app for kids
GoNoodle.com – a brain break app that offers mindfulness videos
“Just Breathe” Original Film – a short film by Julie Bayer Salzman & Josh Salzman (Mindful Schools) in which young children describe their experiences with mindfulness
Guided Meditation, Relaxation and Imagery for Children videos from New Horizon channel on YouTube
Guided calming exercises from Stop, Breathe & Think on YouTube.
Relaxing Music by Yellow Brick Cinema channel on YouTube
Yoga for kids by Cosmic Kids Yoga channel on YouTube (for primary and upper elementary).
Yoga videos for a variety of needs, levels, and situations from Yoga With Adriene on YouTube.
Reading Materials
Mindfulness for Teachers: Simple Skills for Peace and Productivity in the Classroom
by Patricia Jennings
The Mindful Child
by Susan Kaiser Greenland
The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind
by Daniel J. Siegel
Visiting Feelings
by Lauren Rubenstein
Have You Filled a Bucket Today?
by Carol McCloud
by California Casualty | Firefighters |
Drones: They are the new rage with millions now in the hands of hobbyists across the nation. They hoover, dive and provide amazing videos of dramatic scenery and inaccessible areas. While unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) can provide exciting new ways to recreate and view your neighborhood, they are also threatening firefighting operations across the U.S. The incidence of unauthorized drones spotted in fire areas across the country has increased dramatically the past few years, and the situation appears to be getting worse.
Unmanned aircraft have disrupted and canceled water and retardant drops because of the fear of a collision with firefighting planes. It’s also a hazard to smoke jumpers, helicopters and crews on the ground. Flying a drone near a fire is not only dangerous, it is illegal.
Anyone caught interfering with firefighting operations with a drone can be arrested and could face a $25,000 fine and criminal prosecution.
The following are some new strategies being employed to alert UAS pilots to areas they cannot fly, and to stop them if they do.
The FAA has is creating temporary “no-fly zones” around fires and making the information available to pilots of all types, especially recreational drone users. The FAA is urging all UAS operators to visit and download the B 4UFLY smartphone app that provides the restrictions in their area.
The U.S. Department of Interior has launched the “If YOU Fly, We Can’t” campaign with videos, PSAs and posters alerting drone owners of the risks.
Technology is also being tested to prevent drones from flying in areas where a restriction is in place. GPS and geo-fencing systems can literally ground a UAS in a fire-restricted area. The electronic blocking is already being employed around airports, military bases, nuclear power plants and the nation’s capital.
Keep in mind, it often takes a day or two before fires are noted and mapped for the system and the FAA warns that all pilots, including drone operators, are responsible for knowing the rules and local ordinances. In other words, you are responsible for flight safety at all times and can be cited for any careless or reckless actions that endanger others in the air or on the ground.
The FAA requires all operators to be 13 years or older and to register any drones that weigh more than .55 pounds. All UAS pilots must also adhere to these rules:
- Fly no higher than 400 feet
- Keep the UAS within sight
- Never fly near other aircraft, especially near airports
- Never fly over groups of people, stadiums or sporting events
- Never fly near emergency response efforts such as fires
- Never fly under the influence
- Be aware of airspace requirements
All the restrictions can be viewed at https://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started/fly_for_fun/.
Education about the risk is considered the key to preventing more of these situations. If you have a drone, you need to know the rules of where and when to fly and be aware of the dangers to others. If you are a first responder, you may want to share this information with as many people as possible.
Firefighter’s jobs are already dangerous enough, that’s why California Casualty is asking all of us to be careful and know important drone rules that can save lives.
by California Casualty | News |
You’ve no doubt encountered the glazed look of your child mesmerized by a blue screened device. You’d like them to do their homework, go out and play, or spend some family time. Often, your demands or pleas to turn it off meet with an argument, indifference or just outright defiance.
You are not alone; a recent study found the average child spends seven-and-a-half hours a day plugged into a game console, smartphone or computer. While some digital media use can be beneficial, The American Academy of Pediatrics is addressing the issue with new recommendations and resources to help families maintain a healthy media diet.
So what’s a parent to do? Here are seven strategies to help your children unplug:
Set a good example. Your kids are watching as you regularly binge on Netflix, check email, or text friends or relatives while at the dinner table. If you don’t want them to be doing it, don’t do it yourself.
Create digital-free zones. Have your children help set up rules such as no texting, TV or laptops during meals and time each evening when cell phones, TVs, and computers will be shut off.
Make digital time family time. Joining your kids playing video games or watching a favorite show lets them feel you’re engaged. It will make it easier to help limit that activity.
Set time limits. Whether it’s a home timer, an onscreen countdown clock or verbal reminders, it’s important that you set and stick to deadlines for the digital activity to end.
Recommend other activities. Tell them that after an hour of media, they can have dessert, paint or play a game of hide-and-go-seek.
Keep your kids active. Whether it’s joining them for a bike ride, hike, game of tag, soccer, baseball or basketball, your children will be getting exercise, and they won’t be using their computers or phones.
Help them find organized activities. Organizations such as scouting, sports teams, church groups, academic clubs or volunteer work assist them to engage in social and physical activities, and coaches and group leaders often ban electronic devices.
If all of these fail, have a frank discussion with your children about the mental and physical health issues associated with overuse of electronic devices, game consoles or TV. Ask them if they notice that they might be gaining weight, feeling isolated, having mood swings or are less energetic because of so much time spent watching movies or gaming. Then ask them if they have any suggestions to solve the problem. You might be surprised at their insights and solutions.
by California Casualty | Peace Officers |
Being a police officer, especially in today’s times, is a very demanding job and with each daily demand comes an attitude that can build negatively after a while. We have some ideas to help change your mindset about how you feel at your job in law enforcement.
A positive attitude can make all the difference in a stressful environment. It’s easier said than done, but having a negative attitude for long periods of time will cause more damage. The right approach can also have a lot of benefits you may not realize.
- Lowers depression
- Lower distress
- Better coping skills in stressful situations
- Increased life span
Try these tips we have to help start a new outlook on being a peace officer.
Work to keep a positive attitude daily. This is going to take practice, but soon it will make a difference. Start your shift with positive self-talk then repeat positive comments to yourself throughout your day.
Set achievable goals. Take a minute to make a list of what you want in life. Include what those goals are that include your family, work, and life in general. Writing these out and seeing them on paper can help take those first steps to achieving your goals.
Start with daily goals. What do you want to accomplish each day? Next, what about one-year goals? Finally, what do you want to see done in 5 years?
By putting all of these tips into practice, your outlook about the job will change. You will discover a new perspective and find the passion of being a peace officer again.
by California Casualty | Educators |
Our Education Blogger is a public school teacher with over a decade of experience. She’s an active NEA member, and enjoys writing about her experiences in the classroom.
For many teachers, summer is the time to complete projects you’ve been putting off during the school year. Exercise tends to be one of those projects. Summertime is a great opportunity to begin building workout habits. The following can help get you started with a summer exercise routine and transition into a healthy start to the next school year.
Use A Fitness App
I like Map My Run and My Fitness Pal. I can log workouts, track how far I run (along with some other stats), and count calories from food. Couch to 5K is also another free, popular app that helps you progress your way to a 5K in 8 weeks. Check out this list of The 38 Best Health and Fitness Apps from Greatest.com to see if you can find an app that works for you!
Start Small
If exercise isn’t part of your regular routine, start with just 2 or 3 days a week. From there, add on days as you feel more comfortable. You can also up the intensity of your workouts.
Keep A Routine
Find a time and day that works for you and commit to it. You are more likely to stick with something if you make it a part of your routine.
Exercise With A Buddy or Group
If you are able, find a friend or a group of friends with whom you can work out. You can hold one another accountable if you commit to group workouts. When you skip out on a workout, there’s an element of guilt added in, which makes you more likely to stick with it.
Mix It Up
For me, one type of exercise becomes boring. To combat the monotony, I use different types of exercise. Yoga, kickboxing, cardio, dance, etc., are all great ways to mix up the workout routine. You can find videos online for just about any kind of workout!
Set A Goal
What is your fitness goal? Is it to lose weight, build muscle tone, run a marathon? Establish your goal, write it on a sticky note, and place the note in a visible place you will see each day. Use an “I will” statement and have an end date. For example, “I will lose 10 pounds by July 31st.” It is also helpful to decide HOW you will meet your goal. Will you run for 20 minutes 3 times a week? Lift weights every day?
Motivate Yourself
Take selfies. I know. I hate this part. If you take pictures of yourself regularly, you should be able to see the changes in your body as you progress towards your goal. Hopefully, these pictures will motivate you to keep going. Positive self talk is also beneficial. Again, use your sticky notes to write positive affirmations to place in a visible location (“I can do this!” or “I am strong!”). This may be cheesy, but it has a surprisingly positive effect!
Tell Your Family/Partner
Your partner or family is a great source of support and encouragement. Tell them your fitness goals and plan. They can help motivate you and hold you accountable (if you choose).
What summer fitness advice would you give teachers?
