I recently participated in a book study for professional development with my school. The book we read, Why Smart Kids Worry by Allison Edwards totally clicked in my mind! I have been recommending it left and right with friends and parents ever since finishing the first few chapters. #whysmartkidsworry
Because I work with many anxious students, and sometimes struggle with my own brain spinning out of control, I loved learning about the practical tools that can help us when we're thinking irrationally. Until a student has returned to a rational mindset, our efforts to convey logic or enforce consequences will be futile. The worry tools can guide students back toward this rational mindset and help them make sense of what happens in their brains.
I've always been fascinated by the development of gifted children. Because they often grow asynchronously, their emotional intelligence can be years behind their academic intelligence. This is why a five-year-old may be able to converse with an adult on the process of photosynthesis and then break out in a total meltdown if they don't get candy in the checkout line. #socialemotionallearning
If you choose to read this book, too, I hope you'll have as many "lightbulb" moments as I did! I was amazed at how often personal examples would pop into my head as I turned the pages. Just yesterday, I interacted with a student who was feeling anxious and his behaviors matched up perfectly with something I read in the book!
For my final project in this class, I created some concrete activities to use with my students. I'm hoping these slides and worksheets will help them fully implement their favorite tools.
I especially loved the "Brain Plate" tool and created a page to help students identify what's on their menu for the week. In this activity, students draw a picture of every food they will eat in the coming week - including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks! It's easy to understand that if you eat all of these foods in one sitting, you will certainly feel sick. The same is true with our brains. If you try to load up all of your activities and responsibilities for the entire week into one day, your worry load will be so consuming you will make your brain sick!