# @edutopia on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CN7rLq_j307
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/20303856-edutopia-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/97d6ad41ca.jpg
- **Posted:** 2021-04-21T15:06:10.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Edutopia (@edutopia) — https://gondola.cc/edutopia

## Caption

When students are agitated, they often show telltale signs like anxious fidgeting, fist clenching, or inappropriate outbursts. It’s important to be on the lookout for these cues, they might signal that students need help calming down, writes high school teacher Daniel Vollrath. ⁣
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As a precursor, find a neutral time to teach students how our brains work when we encounter stressful situations. ⁣
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“The amygdala directs rapid responses when necessary—the fight, flight, or freeze response,” notes Vollrath. “When the amygdala detects a threat, it responds faster than the prefrontal cortex, which directs the ability to make decisions and problem-solve, and the hippocampus, which is responsible for remembering details and storing memories.” ⁣
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So when we’re flooded with strong emotions like fear or anxiety, the amygdala jumps into action, bypassing the parts of the brain responsible for rational thought and problem solving. This can lead to “poor decision-making, inability to think with clarity, and impulsive behavior,” writes Vollrath. ⁣
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Here’s a quick de-escalation exercise to guide upset students back to a regulated state:⁣
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• Take a minute: You might say, “I notice you’re really upset. Let’s work together on breathing slowly for one minute in order to manage your impulses,” says Vollrath.⁣
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• Direct awareness to thoughts and feelings: “What’s going on in your brain and body right now?” you might ask next.⁣
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•Help redirect thoughts: Ask the student to close their eyes, breathe slowly, and think about something that makes them happy.⁣
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• Give positive feedback: “How are you feeling? If you need more time to settle down, let me know. You should feel happy and excited about your work in getting to this point,” Vollrath suggests.⁣
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• Encourage reflection: To conclude the exercise, ask the student to think about how to take charge of their thinking and behavior the next time they’re upset.⁣
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Link in bio.⁣
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#SEL #SocialEmotionalLearning #BrainBasedLearning #MentalHealth #TeacherTip⁣

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## Tags

socialemotionallearning, brainbasedlearning, mentalhealth, teachertip, sel

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