By Joel Camino
Primary Student Support Teacher
Learning Support Services
Lots of research points to a very common problem in student learning: Too much information!
Students can become overwhelmed and consequently processing and memory retention can become difficult. Not just for students with executive function challenges, or neurodiversity; for many neurotypical students too! Especially younger students. Feeling overwhelmed can also trigger stress and anxiety.
Anxiety is all too common in our students. This is a global phenomenon and includes very young students, with anxiety onset often starting before Grade 1.
The consequences of anxiety can be profound. Leading to social, behavioural and emotional issues, as well as making learning far more difficult.
With this in mind, it is vital that we give our children time. Time to reflect and consider; time to play and downtime to relax.
A great way to relax is to draw, colour in, listen to music, reading for some, or even yoga!
Lots of studies on mindfulness practices, such as breathing activities, and yoga, show how they can help children to calm themselves down; focus and pay attention; and most importantly, can release anxiety and stress.
Teachers are increasingly planning for and implementing mindfulness activities and exercises into the school day. This is helping to promote calmer, and less stressful learning environments.
This can of course also be a consideration at home.
Some students have extra tuition after their school learning has finished. This maybe something parents should carefully consider, especially for younger students. Daily extra tuition could well be too much, and even detrimental to our children.
Alternative home-based mindfulness activities could prove more beneficial to children's wellbeing, and their learning outcomes. There are a number of ways of accessing mindfulness activities at home. Go-noodle provides different types of wellness exercises and movement activities, including yoga, while there are books and ‘card-packs’ like Yoga Pretzels, full of fun activities for both children and adults, or, ideally, you do these activities together with your children!
Reading is an essential skill for success in school and in life. It is also a skill that can be developed and nurtured at home, from an early age. You as parents and caregivers play a vital role in helping your child develop a love of reading.
Last week, our second annual NISC Cup kicked off, with four schools and over one hundred students facing off to see who would be taking home the silverware on offer in separate boys’ and girls’ competitions. Last year CIA girls’ team won a thrilling final and were hoping that the cup would be returning to their school for a second year in a row, while our own NISC boys’ team were hoping to retain their hard won 2023 title.
World Children's Day, celebrated on November 20th, is a global occasion dedicated to promoting the rights and well-being of children everywhere.
Metacognition is the process of thinking about one’s own thinking. It involves reflecting on how you come to conclusions, understanding why you think the way you do, and recognizing patterns in your thought processes. By developing an awareness of your thinking, you can learn to reduce cognitive biases or identify and reuse effective thought processes in different situations. Essentially, metacognition helps people become more intentional and effective in their actions and decision-making.
