Calm down areas are a great way for pre-kindergarten students to learn self-regulation, how to make good choices, social skills, and self-awareness. Additionally, calm down areas provide tools that can be used to maintain self-regulation once it has been achieved. Weighted companions allow students to experience the sensation of hugs which helps release endorphins which lowers stress. Companions also allow students the opportunity to talk through their issues without fear of judgement or recourse.
I have also noticed that our dramatic play center is an opportunity for students to practice self-awareness, social skills, collaboration, and self-regulation. By providing a variety of dramatic play toys, the students get to choose scenarios that will advance their individual physical, emotional, and academic learning. At this young age, students learn the most through play. By providing materials that support appropriate learning, the students are given time to truly engage in what they enjoy most.
The items that I have selected for my project will allow me to set up a more complex dramatic play area in my classroom. Due to the pandemic, many of the students have not had an opportunity to learn social and emotional skills before entering the classroom. This has led to the need for multiple calm down areas in the classroom. As we try to teach and encourage self-regulation, making good choices, social skills, and self-awareness, we lack some of the tools the students need during self-reflection. The additional tools I have selected will allow multiple students to take the opportunity to regulate their emotions at the time of their need.
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Calm down areas are a great way for pre-kindergarten students to learn self-regulation, how to make good choices, social skills, and self-awareness. Additionally, calm down areas provide tools that can be used to maintain self-regulation once it has been achieved. Weighted companions allow students to experience the sensation of hugs which helps release endorphins which lowers stress. Companions also allow students the opportunity to talk through their issues without fear of judgement or recourse.
I have also noticed that our dramatic play center is an opportunity for students to practice self-awareness, social skills, collaboration, and self-regulation. By providing a variety of dramatic play toys, the students get to choose scenarios that will advance their individual physical, emotional, and academic learning. At this young age, students learn the most through play. By providing materials that support appropriate learning, the students are given time to truly engage in what they enjoy most.
The items that I have selected for my project will allow me to set up a more complex dramatic play area in my classroom. Due to the pandemic, many of the students have not had an opportunity to learn social and emotional skills before entering the classroom. This has led to the need for multiple calm down areas in the classroom. As we try to teach and encourage self-regulation, making good choices, social skills, and self-awareness, we lack some of the tools the students need during self-reflection. The additional tools I have selected will allow multiple students to take the opportunity to regulate their emotions at the time of their need.
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