From the SVE Admin Team
Anxiety! It grabs hold of our children, and it can grab hold of us as adults too! Last month we talked about how our problem solving thinking brain goes offline when we lose our temper and go into the "red zone" (we've included the Self-Regulation chart from last month as a reminder below). Anxiety has a similar effect on the brain, and when children have an anxious response in their bodies, they have little ability to solve problems with others, think rationally, learn in their classrooms and focus on school work. This is why it is so crucial for our children (and ourselves!) to gain skills to reduce anxiety and stay out of a "fight or flight" response.
There are many strategies we can use to help children become calm, focused and alert so they are ready to learn. First we can take them through a number of calming steps. Providing a quiet, calm setting is an important first step. Asking them to breathe slowly and deeply can help them calm their bodies and brain. Building rapport through asking gentle, simple informational unrelated questions can help distract them from the emotion and bring their thinking brain back online. "I love the picture on your shirt! Do you remember where we bought it?" or "You sure have a colorful backpack! How long have you had it?"
Once they are calm, empathy is critical. Watch the child calm as you listen to how THEY are feeling first. Listen actively and start with THEM: "It looks like you are upset. Is this what you are feeling? Tell me about it." Ask them questions to make sure you understand how they are feeling. Listen to THEIR thoughts before you share YOURS. So often we are tempted to tell them what they need to do differently first: "There's no need to worry about not having inside shoes today! I'll send a note to your teacher!" and this often ramps up the anxiety again.
Next, validate and normalize their feelings. Telling them that they shouldn't feel that way only increases anxiety. Rather, let them know that whatever they are feeling is okay. "We all feel that way at times. It's normal and okay." "Your body and brain is just trying to protect you from what it thinks is a threat."
Once they have been calm for some time, their thinking brain should be back online. This is the time to help them work through their thoughts and feelings. Ask THEM to check the facts. Don't tell them what they should be thinking. Help them gain the confidence that THEY can solve these issues. Give suggestions, but help THEM embrace the right solution. "Is what you're thinking and feeling true? How do you know?" "What is the worst that could happen? Let's think it through together and you come up with the plan that will work best for you." "Is it possible that what your imagining might not be as awful you think?"
Finally discuss the options together. Often children are overwhelmed by how big the task before them feels. Help them break the task down into small, forward acting steps. Help them choose the right next steps themselves rather than taking the power away from them and telling them what to do. "What is one small step you could take today to solve your problem?"
Using this approach may seem to take a lot of time. But overall, if we spend the time empowering our children to calm themselves and find solutions, you won't have to help them as much the next time. This is how we teach our children to be more resilient and self-aware. We are tempted to take shortcuts, and simply tell them to "Get over it" or "Here's what you need to do." This doesn't empower our children; it teaches them to be dependent. Spend the time they need to solve it themselves with your help, and grow in maturity and strength.
The added benefit of creating calm space to help your child find solutions is the bonding and emotional attachment you create with them in this space. Next month we will focus on what you can do to maintain a healthy, attached relationship with your child. Adult attachment plays a key role in your child making positive choices as they grow older. It helps children stay close to you as they embrace your value system rather than the value system of their peers.
Last month we challenged each family to focus on developing calming strategies and learning to how to move out of the red and yellow zones and move back into the green zone as seen in the chart below. This month we are following up with a great kid friendly video that you could watch together called"Why Do We Lose Control of Our Emotions?"
There are many strategies we can use to help children become calm, focused and alert so they are ready to learn. First we can take them through a number of calming steps. Providing a quiet, calm setting is an important first step. Asking them to breathe slowly and deeply can help them calm their bodies and brain. Building rapport through asking gentle, simple informational unrelated questions can help distract them from the emotion and bring their thinking brain back online. "I love the picture on your shirt! Do you remember where we bought it?" or "You sure have a colorful backpack! How long have you had it?"
Once they are calm, empathy is critical. Watch the child calm as you listen to how THEY are feeling first. Listen actively and start with THEM: "It looks like you are upset. Is this what you are feeling? Tell me about it." Ask them questions to make sure you understand how they are feeling. Listen to THEIR thoughts before you share YOURS. So often we are tempted to tell them what they need to do differently first: "There's no need to worry about not having inside shoes today! I'll send a note to your teacher!" and this often ramps up the anxiety again.
Next, validate and normalize their feelings. Telling them that they shouldn't feel that way only increases anxiety. Rather, let them know that whatever they are feeling is okay. "We all feel that way at times. It's normal and okay." "Your body and brain is just trying to protect you from what it thinks is a threat."
Once they have been calm for some time, their thinking brain should be back online. This is the time to help them work through their thoughts and feelings. Ask THEM to check the facts. Don't tell them what they should be thinking. Help them gain the confidence that THEY can solve these issues. Give suggestions, but help THEM embrace the right solution. "Is what you're thinking and feeling true? How do you know?" "What is the worst that could happen? Let's think it through together and you come up with the plan that will work best for you." "Is it possible that what your imagining might not be as awful you think?"
Finally discuss the options together. Often children are overwhelmed by how big the task before them feels. Help them break the task down into small, forward acting steps. Help them choose the right next steps themselves rather than taking the power away from them and telling them what to do. "What is one small step you could take today to solve your problem?"
Using this approach may seem to take a lot of time. But overall, if we spend the time empowering our children to calm themselves and find solutions, you won't have to help them as much the next time. This is how we teach our children to be more resilient and self-aware. We are tempted to take shortcuts, and simply tell them to "Get over it" or "Here's what you need to do." This doesn't empower our children; it teaches them to be dependent. Spend the time they need to solve it themselves with your help, and grow in maturity and strength.
The added benefit of creating calm space to help your child find solutions is the bonding and emotional attachment you create with them in this space. Next month we will focus on what you can do to maintain a healthy, attached relationship with your child. Adult attachment plays a key role in your child making positive choices as they grow older. It helps children stay close to you as they embrace your value system rather than the value system of their peers.
Last month we challenged each family to focus on developing calming strategies and learning to how to move out of the red and yellow zones and move back into the green zone as seen in the chart below. This month we are following up with a great kid friendly video that you could watch together called"Why Do We Lose Control of Our Emotions?"
HEAD LICE Anyone with hair can get head lice... and many classrooms have had cases of head lice in the past few weeks. Lice DO NOT cause diseases nor are they a sign of being dirty. Lice are a nuisance and we want to help you all learn what to do when you get a note from school. It is important when you receive a letter stating that someone in your child's classroom has a case of lice that you check for lice as soon as possible. Be sure to be in a well lit room and wet your child's hair. Use a fine tooth comb and with each stroke, wipe on a paper towel. If you see live lice which are about the size of a sesame seed or nits (which are lice eggs) stuck to the hair you will need to continue to comb the hair regularly (every second or third day for 10 days). It is also important to wash clothing and bedding and check other family members. For more information, please visit the following link: Lice Information Link |
Is Your Child Anxious or Stressed? Free Seminars!
Helping Your Child With Stress
Feb 10, 2020 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm – Presenter: Dr. Haley Watson
Location: Hollywood Education Centre Room 1 (Gym)
Cost: Free (No registration required)
This workshop will provide you with tools for helping your children deal with stress and anxiety stemming from things like school, social media, and friendships, as well as tools for managing your own stresses and pressures as a parent. It will provide an overview of mental health and how to boost self-esteem, independence, and emotional resilience in youth. You will leave with practical strategies for maintaining a connected relationship with your children and helping them cope with the ups and downs of growing up in today’s world.
Parenting Your Anxious Youth
The Bridge Youth and Family Services
Dates: 5 Group Sessions
February 6 to March 5, 2020
4:30 – 6:00 pm
Location: The Bridge Youth & Family Services
8 – 2604 Enterprise Way
To register, email [email protected] or call 250-763-0456, extension 2204.
Helping Your Child With Stress
Feb 10, 2020 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm – Presenter: Dr. Haley Watson
Location: Hollywood Education Centre Room 1 (Gym)
Cost: Free (No registration required)
This workshop will provide you with tools for helping your children deal with stress and anxiety stemming from things like school, social media, and friendships, as well as tools for managing your own stresses and pressures as a parent. It will provide an overview of mental health and how to boost self-esteem, independence, and emotional resilience in youth. You will leave with practical strategies for maintaining a connected relationship with your children and helping them cope with the ups and downs of growing up in today’s world.
Parenting Your Anxious Youth
The Bridge Youth and Family Services
Dates: 5 Group Sessions
February 6 to March 5, 2020
4:30 – 6:00 pm
Location: The Bridge Youth & Family Services
8 – 2604 Enterprise Way
To register, email [email protected] or call 250-763-0456, extension 2204.
Kindergarten Enrollment
Will your child turn 5 in 2020? It's time to enroll your child for KINDERGARTEN!!! Starting at 7 am on Monday, February 3, 2020 through Friday, March 13, 2020, please access the online application. Applications are processed as received, so enroll early to ensure your child's spot in a Springvalley Kindergarten classroom!
Click here to access the enrollment site.
REGISTERING for NEXT YEAR - If your child is returning to Springvalley NEXT year there is NO NEED for you to register them. They are automatically registered for the following grade. Similarly, if your child will be going to grade 6 at Springvalley Middle School (SMS), they will be automatically registered. If you are moving your child to a new school (other than SMS), you will need to register.
Will your child turn 5 in 2020? It's time to enroll your child for KINDERGARTEN!!! Starting at 7 am on Monday, February 3, 2020 through Friday, March 13, 2020, please access the online application. Applications are processed as received, so enroll early to ensure your child's spot in a Springvalley Kindergarten classroom!
Click here to access the enrollment site.
REGISTERING for NEXT YEAR - If your child is returning to Springvalley NEXT year there is NO NEED for you to register them. They are automatically registered for the following grade. Similarly, if your child will be going to grade 6 at Springvalley Middle School (SMS), they will be automatically registered. If you are moving your child to a new school (other than SMS), you will need to register.
PAC NEWS
Thank you to WHITE SPOT/TRIPLE O's for the donation towards the Grade 5 Hoodies, which look FABULOUS! We are so grateful for your support! A reminder to make sure your hot lunch orders are paid to date. You can pay your fees at: https://sve.hotlunches.net/admin/ |
MAGIC SHOW!!!
SAVE THE DATE!!! PAC is SO excited to announce we have a very special, very magical person coming on February 11th for a Family Magic Show! Magician Leif David will be performing and does not disappoint! This event is open to the public so click here to purchase your tickets in advance to avoid disappointment. More information will be going home about admission and the event soon. Click here to see Leif David's magic on video! -SVE PAC |
Reminder about bottle and can recycling at Columbia Bottle Depot
Your bottles and Cans can be recycled through the Return It-Express account at the Columbia Bottle Depot; 1936 Kent Road and our school will benefit! Just bring your clear bag full of recyclables, print a sticker with our school phone number (250) 870-5119, and attach the stickers to your bags of bottle returns. Our School PAC account will be credited! NO SORTING required... Thanks for supporting our school fundraising efforts |
WINTER REMINDERS!
The snow pile next to the parking lot is a slippery and dangerous place for children to play. Please help us remind students that this snow pile is a NO GO ZONE before, during and after school. Also, we ask that you make sure your child dresses with WARM coats, pants, hats, boots and gloves on colder days. We do have free winter clothing available for families in need in our Indigenous Gathering Room. See Ms. Wynne or Ms. Rintoul for more information. Also, please be sure to check the LOST & FOUND located near the music room. Many winter clothing items end up there each day!
The snow pile next to the parking lot is a slippery and dangerous place for children to play. Please help us remind students that this snow pile is a NO GO ZONE before, during and after school. Also, we ask that you make sure your child dresses with WARM coats, pants, hats, boots and gloves on colder days. We do have free winter clothing available for families in need in our Indigenous Gathering Room. See Ms. Wynne or Ms. Rintoul for more information. Also, please be sure to check the LOST & FOUND located near the music room. Many winter clothing items end up there each day!
Rutland Community Learning Forum @ RSS FEBRUARY 13 6pm
All Springvalley parents and students are invited to the Rutland Community Learning Forum on February 13 at 6 pm at Rutland Senior Secondary (RSS). Staff and students from all Rutland schools including Springvalley Elementary will be presenting their learning. Come see some our SVE students' inquiry explorations highlighted along with the work of students throughout the Rutland zone.
All Springvalley parents and students are invited to the Rutland Community Learning Forum on February 13 at 6 pm at Rutland Senior Secondary (RSS). Staff and students from all Rutland schools including Springvalley Elementary will be presenting their learning. Come see some our SVE students' inquiry explorations highlighted along with the work of students throughout the Rutland zone.
Important SVE Dates
Click here for our calendar: http://www.sve.sd23.bc.ca/Calendar/calendar.aspx#/= February 5 - 6:30 pm - PAC Meeting - All parents welcome to the library February 6 - 12:30 Early Dismissal for Conferences February 7 - 12:30 Early Dismissal for Conferences February 11 - 6:30 pm - Family Magic Show - Leif David February 13, 6:00 pm Rutland Community Learning Forum @ Rutland Senior Secondary February 14 - PAC Hot Lunch Hot Dogs February 14 - Wear RED - show your school spirit for Valentine's Day February 17 - BC Family Day - Schools closed Friday, February 21 - Professional Day - No school for students. February 24 - 28 - IN LINE Skating lessons (bring a helmet and wear socks) February 28 - Crazy Sock Day - show your school spirit March 13 - Learning Summaries sent home March 14-29 - Spring Break March 30 - Welcome back to school! |