Calm Parenting Podcast Summary

Episode Title: Teachers: 5 Ways to Help Students with Anxiety, Focus, Social Skills, & Transitions
Host: Kirk Martin
Release Date: January 10, 2023

In this insightful episode of the Calm Parenting Podcast, Kirk Martin addresses educators facing the daily challenges of managing strong-willed students who struggle with anxiety, focus, social skills, and transitions. Drawing from his extensive experience with over 1,500 challenging children, including those with ADHD, OCD, ODD, and ASD, Martin provides practical, actionable strategies to foster a conducive learning environment.

1. Supporting Students with Anxiety

Martin emphasizes the importance of providing students with anxiety-specific roles to alleviate their fears and build confidence.

[02:15] Kirk Martin: "Give that child a very specific job to do. Oh, Jacob, I'm so psyched that you're in my class. Listen, you are really good at doing X."

Key Strategies:

• Assigning Specific Jobs: By giving anxious students designated tasks, teachers can help them focus on something positive, reducing their anxiety about the unknown aspects of the school day.

  [04:30] Kirk Martin: "I gave him a very specific job. This helps create success by utilizing his strengths."

• Positive Reinforcement: Acknowledging and praising students for their contributions without overemphasizing ensures they feel valued without feeling overwhelmed.

  [06:45] Kirk Martin: "Instead of lecturing about how he needs to stop moving, I was able to say, 'Hey, nice job. Thank you.'"

2. Assisting Students Who Struggle with Sitting Still

For students who find it challenging to remain seated and focused, Martin suggests integrating movement into classroom activities without disrupting the learning environment.

[05:10] Kirk Martin: "If a child’s leg is bouncing the entire class, he probably needs to move."

Key Strategies:

• Secret Signals: Establishing non-verbal cues between teacher and student allows for discreet movement breaks.

  [07:03] Kirk Martin: "Here's what we're going to do. You and I are going to have a secret signal..."

• Defined Tasks: Assigning specific tasks like refilling a water bottle ensures that movement is purposeful and minimizes distractions.

  [07:25] Kirk Martin: "You're going to come up and do this and that. You get to end that scene with, 'Hey, good job. Thank you.'"

3. Enhancing Social Skills During Recess

Martin highlights the importance of structured social interactions to help students develop meaningful relationships.

[12:17] Kirk Martin: "One of the best ways to build friendships is by working on a project together."

Key Strategies:

• Collaborative Projects: Pairing students with shared interests on classroom projects fosters teamwork and mutual respect.

  [12:50] Kirk Martin: "Could you guys draw some reptiles for me? This helps build confidence and potential play dates."

• Short Play Dates: Facilitating brief, supervised interactions prevents dominant behaviors and ensures positive experiences.

  [13:30] Kirk Martin: "Play dates always have to be short because most of our kids are controlling and bossy."

4. Facilitating Smooth Transitions

Transition periods can be particularly stressful for students, especially those who are already emotionally exhausted by the day's activities.

[17:10] Kirk Martin: "It takes sometimes an enormous amount of emotional and mental energy to make it through the day."

Key Strategies:

• Visual Cues: Using visual aids and clear instructions helps students understand and anticipate the next steps.

  [18:00] Kirk Martin: "Picture these three things. One water bottle, three paper towels, front row of desks..."

• Specific Instructions: Providing detailed, step-by-step tasks during transitions reduces confusion and anxiety.

  [18:45] Kirk Martin: "Don't just clean the desks. Wipe them down with specific tools to prevent misuse."

• Sensory Engagement: Incorporating activities that engage multiple senses can calm students and provide a sense of accomplishment.

  [19:10] Kirk Martin: "Crossing the midline of the body, cross brain stimulation... it's very calming for a child."

Conclusion

Kirk Martin wraps up the episode by reiterating the importance of creating success for strong-willed and anxious students through targeted strategies. He encourages teachers to implement these techniques both in the classroom and at home, fostering a collaborative approach to student well-being.

[20:30] Kirk Martin: "If we can help you in any way, please let us know. That's what we're here for."

Martin also offers resources for further support, including teacher training, parent workshops, and school assemblies through his organization, Celebrate Calm. Educators seeking to enhance their classroom management skills and support their students are encouraged to reach out via celebratecalm.com.

Notable Quotes:

• Assigning Roles to Alleviate Anxiety:
  "Give that child a very specific job to do." — Kirk Martin [02:15]

• Positive Reinforcement without Overemphasis:
  "Don't make a big deal out of praise; otherwise, they'll reject it." — Kirk Martin [06:45]

• Structured Social Interactions:
  "One of the best ways to build friendships is by working on a project together." — Kirk Martin [12:17]

This episode serves as a valuable resource for teachers aiming to create a more inclusive and supportive classroom environment for all students, particularly those facing behavioral and emotional challenges.