Early childhood education has always reflected a strong understanding of how young children learn best. Long before learning sciences and neuroscience offered detailed frameworks, early childhood educators built environments around play, exploration, relationships, and hands-on discovery. Those foundational principles remain unchanged, even as schools continue to refine how they are expressed through classroom design and learning environments.

What has evolved is a shift in the learner profile itself. Today’s incoming PreK-second graders are entering school having been exposed to significant amounts of technology, media, and digital stimulation. At the same time, educators are navigating increased classroom needs related to self-regulation, executive functioning, social and emotional development, and sustained attention.

Classroom environments are increasingly recognized as part of the instructional ecosystem alongside curriculum, teaching practices, and relationships. When designed intentionally, learning spaces can support engagement, help children navigate transitions, encourage independence, and create conditions where learning feels natural and accessible. Rather than viewing the classroom simply as a place for academics, educators are using space as a tool to support emotional regulation, encourage purposeful movement, and help children engage and focus during learning. This perspective builds on long-standing early childhood practice while incorporating new research and design approaches that help strengthen what is already working well in classrooms.

Designing for Today’s Early Learners

Early childhood classrooms are dynamic spaces where movement, conversation, and hands-on exploration happen continuously. As schools refine early learning environments, many are focusing on how physical design can better support attention, participation, and smooth transitions across a full school day. Along with adjusting instructional approaches, there is an emphasis on shaping the learning environments that help children fully engage in the learning experiences all around them.

Calming Visuals

Early learning environments are naturally filled with visual stimulation: student artwork, hands-on materials, classroom décor, and learning posters and charts that reflect the richness of classroom activity. In many schools, the focus has shifted toward organizing these visual elements more intentionally, so they support learning rather than compete for attention.

Research in classroom design demonstrates that highly dense, visually cluttered environments can significantly increase cognitive load and off-task behavior for young children. To prevent sensory overload, modern design is moving away from the overstimulating decor and bright primary colors that traditionally dominated these spaces. Instead, the emphasis is on establishing neutral backdrops and a natural palette as the foundation, knowing color will inherently be added by children, their belongings, learning materials, etc.

Rotating displays tied to purposeful use of visual supports, and an emphasis on posting children’s work, help create an environment that is not so overstimulating. These adjustments make classrooms less overwhelming so children can more easily navigate through their daily routine.

Acoustic Management

Listening plays a central role in early childhood learning. Throughout the day, children are constantly processing spoken language, engaging in peer interactions, and responding to teacher guidance. The acoustic quality of a classroom can significantly influence how easily those interactions occur.

Research in educational acoustics indicates that excessive background noise and reverberation can severely interfere with speech clarity. Because young learners are still actively developing neurological auditory pathways, they require a much higher signal-to-noise ratio than adults to accurately distinguish speech sounds. When acoustic thresholds exceed recommended standards, it directly impacts comprehension, language acquisition, and emotional regulation.

To support clearer communication, many early learning environments incorporate sound-absorbing materials and thoughtful spatial design. Area rugs, acoustic wall panels, sound-absorbing dividers, and strategically placed shelving help reduce noise reflection while maintaining clear traffic patterns. Equally important is the way classrooms are organized, with quieter zones for reading or small-group instruction positioned away from more active learning centers. The result offers clarity and spaces where conversation, instruction, and collaboration can be heard and understood with greater ease.

Zoned Lighting

Lighting is another important factor in how children experience and engage with their environment. Many schools are moving away from harsh, uniform fluorescent overhead lighting toward layered, adjustable lighting options such as dimmers, natural light integration, and soft lamps that can be modulated based on the activity or the current energy level of the room.

Data from environmental design studies have consistently associated ample natural daylighting with improved student well-being, increased comfort, and accelerated academic progress over the school year. Flexible artificial lighting allows educators to adapt the atmosphere of the room based on activity. Brighter settings can support collaborative exploration and active play, while softer lighting can help create a calmer environment for reading, transitions, or rest time.

When lighting is considered as part of the overall learning environment, classrooms gain the ability to shift tone and energy in ways that support the natural rhythm of early childhood education.

Regulation-Centered Design

Early childhood is a critical period for developing self-regulation, emotional awareness, and social understanding. These skills emerge gradually through relationships, repetition, and supported practice. Within this developmental process, the classroom environment must actively co-regulate, helping children manage big emotions and transitions to reduce behavioral friction across the school day.

The goal is not to replace educator instruction or guidance, but to leverage physical space to complement educator-led strategies, ensuring children feel secure, supported, and able to re-engage when ready.

Safe Spaces and Self-Regulation Areas

Many early learning classrooms now include designated, comfortable calming spaces such as cozy corners or quiet reading nooks that are integrated into the classroom rather than set apart from it. These areas are designed to be accessible to all children and used as part of normal classroom routines, allowing a dysregulated student to step away, reset, and self-regulate without feeling isolated from the peer group.

Furnishings such as soft seating, cushions, books, and sensory tools help create environments where children can take a brief pause, regulate their emotions, and return to group activities when ready. Visual supports, such as emotion charts or cues for calming strategies, can also help children identify how they are feeling and choose appropriate ways to self-regulate. When thoughtfully integrated, these spaces reinforce the message that emotional regulation is a skill that develops over time and is supported through both relationships and environment.

Sensory Input Related to Movement, Balance, and Body Awareness

Movement is a natural and essential part of early childhood learning. Children build understanding through physical interaction with their environment: carrying, building, sorting, climbing, and exploring. Neurological research highlights that physical movement stimulates the vestibular and proprioceptive systems, increasing blood flow to the brain and directly enhancing focus and cognitive processing.

A comprehensive scoping review published in the European Journal of Special Needs Education confirms the structural power of these choices. The study demonstrated that while traditional, overly static layouts exacerbate learning barriers and auditory/visual distractions, specific environmental interventions (such as introducing fine motor activities and sitting on active therapy/balance surfaces) directly assist task attention, writing, and mathematics performance, particularly for neurodivergent learners.

Many classrooms now incorporate subtle movement opportunities directly into learning spaces via flexible seating options and movement-friendly furnishings. Balance stools, wobble cushions, sensory floor tiles, and standing-height tables provide children with appropriate ways to meet their natural need for movement while staying fully engaged in instruction.

In addition, classroom layouts that support clear movement pathways and accessible materials encourage independence and active participation. When children can access and return materials themselves, easily move between centers, and engage physically with learning tasks, they build both motor skills and self-regulation capacities simultaneously.

The Convergence of Play and Academics

Play remains one of the most effective ways young children develop foundational academic and social skills. Across early childhood settings, there is continued emphasis on learning environments that integrate guided play and free play with intentional instructional design.

Hands-On Learning Environments

Hands-on materials are central to early learning classrooms, providing children with opportunities to explore concepts through direct experience. Blocks, manipulatives, puzzles, puppets, art materials, and other sensory tools all support different dimensions of development and replace static worksheets with dynamic learning.

Through block play, children engage with spatial reasoning, early math concepts, and problem-solving. Dramatic play environments support language development, narrative thinking, and social negotiation. Manipulatives reinforce counting, sorting, and patterning skills in ways that are concrete and meaningful. Data from the Harvard Center on the Developing Child emphasizes that play-based, hands-on environments yield significantly higher executive functioning scores and stronger long-term academic retention than traditional instructional methods.

Multi-Purpose Learning Centers

Most early learning classrooms are designed around learning centers or interest areas that support multiple types of learning throughout the day and are planned based on instructional goals and student interests.

The dramatic play center, for example, may provide a venue for one child to engage in storytelling, vocabulary development, or emergent writing, while another child practices social problem-solving or emotional regulation. The block area can foster counting, patterning skills, and fine motor development, shifting seamlessly between independent exploration and collaborative endeavors depending on how children choose to engage with classmates and learning materials.

With purposeful planning of the classroom arrangement, appropriate furniture, and available materials, children can engage in an endless array of cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development activities.

Taking Learning Outdoors and Bringing the Outdoors In

Outdoor learning is increasingly viewed as an essential extension of the early childhood classroom rather than something that only takes place during recess breaks. And at the same time, natural materials are being incorporated into indoor environments to create stronger continuity between indoor and outdoor experiences.

Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Flow

Outdoor learning environments are being designed with many of the same principles as indoor classrooms. Sand and water tables, mud kitchens, outdoor tables, benches, and stools allow children to engage in familiar learning experiences in natural settings, effectively moving indoor learning centers outside.

These environments support exploration, collaboration, and physical development while also creating opportunities for scientific inquiry, early math exploration, and language development. Outdoor spaces often expand the possibilities for imaginative play and group problem-solving, offering children a different but complementary context for learning. When indoor and outdoor environments are intentionally aligned, children experience smoother transitions and more consistent engagement across settings.

Natural Materials and Textures

Inside the classroom, natural elements such as wood, stone, living plants, water, and textured sensory materials are increasingly being incorporated into learning centers and furnishings to encourage tactile exploration and scientific inquiry.

These materials support hands-on exploration while also encouraging observation and curiosity about the natural world. They can be used across subject areas—from investigating and describing characteristics of organisms in science to classifying and measuring in math. In addition to their instructional value, natural elements often contribute to a calmer, more grounded classroom atmosphere that supports sustained attention and engagement.

The Durability Imperative

Early childhood environments experience constant, heavy use throughout the school day. While modern school budgets demand maximum longevity, early childhood spaces endure immense wear and tear, making durability and adaptability essential considerations in classroom design. Schools are increasingly balancing instructional goals with long-term facility planning, seeking solutions that support active learning while maintaining safety, comfort, and structural integrity.

High-Quality, Durable, Safe Furniture

Early childhood furniture must withstand the daily use of active young children who are often rough on their surroundings. As a result, schools are prioritizing materials and furnishings designed for frequent use, easy cleaning, and long-term durability. Rounded edges, stable construction, and developmentally appropriate sizing support safety and independence, while durable finishes help maintain appearance and function over time despite heavy daily use.

Multi-Generational Material Integrity

Beyond immediate durability, schools must consider how classroom investments perform over time. To ensure pieces do not break down aesthetically or structurally over many years, procurement standards are prioritizing non-porous, easy-to-clean, and impact-resistant surfaces that can withstand rigorous, commercial-grade cleaning protocols.

Future-Proofing with a Trusted Partner

As schools continue investing in early childhood education, there is a growing emphasis on creating environments that are durable, sensitive to children’s needs, and aligned with how young children learn and develop.

This work requires thoughtful alignment between educational practice, design expertise, and long-term planning. Navigating this changing landscape successfully often depends on partners who understand both the fundamentals of early learning and the evolving realities of today’s classrooms.

Organizations like School Specialty bring deep expertise in supporting early learning environments, helping schools translate research-informed principles into practical design solutions. By providing furnishings, learning materials, and design approaches that align with developmentally appropriate practice, they help schools create cohesive learning environments that balance modern operational demands while supporting students and educators alike.

Ultimately, the most effective early childhood spaces are those that remain grounded in a simple and enduring principle: When environments are designed with care, intention, and strong data-backed choices, they help children engage more fully in learning and allow educators to do what they do best—guide young learners as they explore, grow, and make sense of the world around them.

Ready to start designing an Early Childhood space and need some assistance? School Specialty’s Projects By Design® offers help from collaborative no-cost design through installation and beyond.

The post Early Childhood in 2026: Embracing How Our Youngest Students Learn appeared first on Schoolyard Blog | Teacher Resources | School Specialty.

There’s nothing quite like the fresh energy that comes with a new school year. Clean notebooks, sharpened pencils, and curious faces full of potential all signal a chance for a fresh start. Whether you’re setting up your classroom for the very first time or you’re a seasoned pro, having the right systems in place from day one can make a big difference all year long.

Here are a few simple but effective ways to set yourself (and your students) up for a successful school year:

1. Establish Routines Early

Consistency helps students feel secure and confident in the classroom. Start with defined daily routines for morning entry, transitions, and end-of-day procedures. Consider posting a visual schedule where everyone can see it, and refer to it often during those first few weeks.

Tip: Use color-coded dry erase markers to write your schedule or subject areas on the board. It helps with organization and visual clarity, especially for younger students or those with learning differences. Dry Erase Markers come in bold, easy-to-see colors and last through lots of use.

2. Create Supply Stations

Instead of passing out materials every time you need them, try setting up supply stations around the room. Label bins with essentials like scissors, glue sticks, and extra pencils to keep students moving independently.

Tip: Bulk packs of pencils or pens can be a lifesaver when you’re running low midweek.

3. Support Student Note-Taking

Strong note-taking is a key skill at every grade level. Teach students how to organize their notes with bullet points, headings, and highlights. It not only improves comprehension but also builds lifelong learning habits.

Tip: Highlighters in different colors can help students separate key ideas, vocabulary words, and important dates. Highlighters are easy to use and add a fun splash of color to any notebook.

4. Plan for Mistakes Because They’ll Happen!

Mistakes are part of learning, so make space for them. Your job as their teacher isn’t to keep students from making mistakes but to help them work through them and learn from them. Encourage students to use pencils when working through tough concepts or math problems and remind them that it’s okay to try again.

Tip: Mechanical pencils are a great tool for this. Mechanical pencils are durable enough for student use and mean fewer pencil sharpening interruptions during lessons.

5. Simplify Your Own Prep

Teachers juggle a lot, including lesson planning, grading, classroom management, and more. Streamline where you can. Keep your personal teacher toolkit stocked with the basics so you’re not scrambling when the copier eats your originals or your pen runs out of ink mid-grading.

Tip: Having a small stash of reliable pens, markers, and highlighters in your desk drawer makes life easier. Consider setting up a mini “teacher survival kit” for yourself!

Teaching is one of the most rewarding jobs out there, but it can also be demanding. With a bit of planning, a few strategic routines, and the right tools within reach, you can start the year feeling confident and organized. While supplies are helpful supports, your expertise and creativity are what truly bring the classroom to life.

Here’s to a great year ahead!

The post Start the School Year Strong: Classroom Tips to Set You Up for Success appeared first on Schoolyard Blog | Teacher Resources | School Specialty.

When your classroom budget is tight, every bottle of paint matters. Taking a few simple steps to care for your acrylic and tempera paints can help them stay fresh and usable for as long as possible.

Proper paint storage can also help prevent waste. You can avoid problems such as dried-out paint, changes in consistency, and contamination by following a few basic guidelines.

Whether you are stocking your art room, preparing for a new school year, or simply trying to make your current supplies last, these paint care tips can help you get the most from every bottle you purchase.

Acrylic and Tempera Paint Care Tips

1. Store Paint in a Cool, Dry Place

Where you store your paint can have a big effect on its quality.

Keep acrylic and tempera paint in a cool, dry place away from extreme temperatures. Freezing temperatures and temperatures above 120 degrees Fahrenheit can cause changes to the paint that may make it difficult or impossible to use.

Extreme temperatures can cause pigments to settle and can change the paint’s viscosity, or thickness. Once the consistency of the paint changes, it may no longer work the way it should.

Avoid storing paint in places that can become extremely hot or cold, such as unheated garages, sheds or vehicles. A classroom supply cabinet or other indoor storage area is usually a better choice.

2. Pay Attention to the Paint’s Shelf Life

Paint does not last forever, even when it is stored properly.

Opened paint containers should be used within six months. Unopened paint containers can generally be stored for up to two years.

If you open a container near the end of its two-year shelf life, plan to use the paint as soon as possible. Check the paint before using it. If the consistency, color, or smell seems unusual, it may be time to replace it.

One easy way to keep track of your supplies is to use older paint before opening newer containers. When purchasing paint, place newer bottles toward the back of your storage area and move older bottles to the front.

This simple first-in, first-out system can help prevent paint from sitting unused until it reaches the end of its shelf life.

3. Prevent Cross-Contamination

One of the easiest ways to protect your paint supply is to prevent contamination.

When students dip dirty brushes or other applicators directly into a paint container, they can introduce water, dirt, paper fibers, or other colors into the paint. Returning leftover paint to the original container can also introduce contaminants.

Over time, this can cause the paint to degrade or spoil. The good news is that preventing contamination is fairly simple.

Pour Paint Into Smaller Containers

Instead of having students work directly from a large bottle or container, pour the amount of paint they need into smaller, resealable containers.

For example, you can use individual paint cups. For classrooms where spills are a concern, no-spill paint cups can be another useful option.

Only pour out the amount of paint you expect students to use. If the paint in the smaller container becomes contaminated, you will only need to discard that smaller amount rather than the entire bottle.

Be sure students use fresh water to clean brushes while working with paint in the smaller containers. Dirty rinse water can introduce unwanted materials into the paint.

Never Pour Used Paint Back Into the Original Container

It may be tempting to pour leftover paint back into the bottle to avoid waste, but this can contaminate the rest of the paint.

Instead, discard leftover paint according to your school’s disposal guidelines. It is better to lose a small amount of leftover paint than to risk contaminating an entire container.

Do Not Dilute Paint in the Original Container

If you need to thin paint, never add water directly to the original container.

Adding water can change the consistency of the entire container and may shorten its useful life. Instead, put the amount of paint you need into a smaller container and adjust it there.

Keep Brushes Out of the Original Container

Avoid dipping brushes, sponges, or other applicators directly into the original paint container.

This is especially important when multiple students are using the same paint. Brushes can carry dirt, water, and other paint colors back into the container.

Using smaller paint cups helps keep your main supply clean and makes it easier for students to share materials.

4. Close Paint Containers Tightly

After every use, make sure the cap or lid is closed tightly.

A loose lid can allow air to enter the container, which can cause paint to dry out or change consistency. Before putting paint away, check the container and lid to make sure they are clean and that the lid is securely closed.

If the container has a seal under the lid or cap, permanently remove and dispose of it after opening the container. Do not leave pieces of the seal in place where they could interfere with the lid closing properly.

Taking a few extra seconds to close each container correctly can help protect the paint between uses.

Make the Most of Your Classroom Paint

Good paint care does not have to be complicated. A few simple habits can help protect your classroom supply and reduce unnecessary waste.

Remember these four basic rules:

• Store paint properly. Keep it in a cool, dry indoor location and protect it from extreme temperatures.
• Use older paint first. Opened paint should be used within six months, while unopened paint can generally be stored for up to two years.
• Prevent contamination. Pour paint into smaller containers and keep brushes and other applicators out of the original container.
• Close containers tightly. Make sure caps and lids are secure after every use.

With proper storage and careful handling, you can help keep your paint in good condition and stretch your classroom art budget.

The post Paint Care Tips: How to Make Classroom Paint Last Longer appeared first on Schoolyard Blog | Teacher Resources | School Specialty.

“What could I ever do with an art degree?”  

Lots of things, of course! Help break the starving artist myth by showing your students how to turn their passions into a paycheck. Each week, take a deeper dive into one of the art careers below to get students excited about using their talents to earn a living.  

Art teacher

Inspire students by sharing your own artistic career journey with them. Start by telling them what art class was like for you when you were their age. What artists inspired you? What was your favorite medium? Then describe why you decided to pursue a career in teaching art and how you achieved your degree. Explain what the most fulfilling parts of your job are and how you keep your own creative spark alive.  

Graphic artist

The work of graphic artists is everywhere we look. Show students examples of well-designed magazine advertisements, product packaging, billboards, and infographics, including some that feature their favorite brands. Explain that graphic artists use their talents to create compelling and persuasive advertisements and to make information easier for people to understand.  

Graphic artists also create the memorable look and style of brands, including their logos. Show students some iconic logos such as Nike, Apple, McDonald’s, and Disney and ask them to name the brands. Then, challenge them to try their hand at graphic design.  

Photographer

Photographers can pursue many different career tracks, including commercial photography, fashion photography, event photography, and photojournalism.  

If you’re able to offer a photography unit, partner with a fashion design teacher, the yearbook club, or your sports director to allow students to explore different types of photography. After they’ve had a chance to gain some experience, have them reflect on what was different about each type of photography, what they liked best, and why. 

Art therapist

Many artists have heightened emotional sensitivity, making a career that combines art with helping people the perfect choice. Art therapists use the creative process of making art to improve the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of individuals. They work with people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities, using various art forms as therapeutic tools.  

Talk to students about the healing power of art and help them discover how art can aid in relaxation.  

Fashion or interior designer

Do some of your students have a flair for choosing colors and patterns that work well together? They may be headed for a career in fashion or interior design. Explain that these roles can take on many forms, such as costume designer, furniture designer, or sustainable design consultant. Start them down this path by focusing on the principles of design. They’ll learn how color, texture, line, proportion, and more work together to create harmony in a room or ensemble.  

Tattoo artist

According to Forbes, about one-third of Americans are sporting tattoos, and the industry is expected to hit $3.9 billion by 2030. This can be a great option for students who have earned a degree in illustration, are interested in tattoos, or wish to mentor under an established tattoo artist. It can also appeal to students who value making a personal connection with their clients, are inspired by the symbolism and historical aspects of tattoos, or who have an entrepreneurial spirit. 

Illustrator

A career in illustration can take many forms. If students love realism and technical drawing, they may enjoy the path of medical illustration. Those who love to tell stories through art might think about becoming a cartoonist, children’s book illustrator, or film animator. Some illustrators draw and paint to their client’s specifications, such as those hired to illustrate a medical manual. Others work at honing their unique styles, like artists Raina Telgemeier, Charles Schulz, or Jim Davis.  

Let students dip their toes into illustration by storyboarding a short skit and then animating it using stop-motion animation.  

Museum curator

To expose students to the world of museum curators, organize a trip to a local art gallery or museum and ask the curator if they’ll give your students a day-in-the-life look at their job of selecting, preserving, and displaying artwork. Then, create a simulated art collection within your classroom using reproductions or prints. Ask students to categorize the works based on style, medium, or historical period and discuss how these decisions align with the responsibilities of a curator.  

Then, have students design a virtual or physical exhibition space to showcase their work. They should consider factors such as lighting, layout, and traffic flow to enhance the viewer’s experience. Have students present their space and give the rationale for their choices.  

Continue to highlight a variety of art careers 

Whether it’s teaching art, graphic design, photography, or something else, each of these career pathways offers unique opportunities for creative expression and financial success. By featuring a diverse range of art professions throughout the year, you can inspire students to transform their artistic talents into fulfilling careers. 

The post 8 Art Careers to Share with Your Students appeared first on Schoolyard Blog | Teacher Resources | School Specialty.

Resilience, grit, perseverance, positivity — these are all ingredients that make up a growth mindset. As you help your students strengthen these skills, you’ll be teaching them how to overcome obstacles in school, in their relationships, and in every aspect of life. Follow these tips to learn how to develop a growth mindset in your students to foster social-emotional growth and academic success. 

1. Create a supportive classroom environment 

For students to be able to truly engage in any learning environment, they first need to feel safe and supported. Much of that support comes from the overall culture your administration sets for your school, but you can also build a welcoming environment within the microcosm of your classroom.    

Along with social-emotional support, think about the physical environment your students are learning in every day and look for opportunities to offer autonomy. This could mean you allow flexible seating choices for work time, or it could mean you provide a calm-down corner where students can go to manage their emotions throughout the day.  

When students feel supported and trusted in their classroom, they’ll feel more comfortable taking initiative, trying new things, and learning from their mistakes.   

2. Practice goal-setting  

Goal-setting doesn’t come naturally to everyone, especially young adults who are still developing their executive functioning skills. Use resources such as the Self-Esteem and Life Skills Plus book, which provides reproducible activities that offer practice in goal-setting, problem-solving, building self-esteem, and more, to strengthen those areas.  

Having a growth mindset means believing that you are capable of continually learning and accomplishing new things. You can help students grow their confidence in this area by teaching them how to set goals throughout their daily lives. 

Once students understand how to set actionable and achievable goals, establish timely check-ins to monitor their progress and celebrate their accomplishments. Visual trackers, even for older students, are valuable tools for helping students see how far they’ve come.  

3. Celebrate progress over perfection 

Students who lack a growth mindset are easily frustrated when they can’t do something right the first time. By recognizing hard work and small wins, you can build their confidence and instill the belief that they can achieve greater things.  
 
Help students by breaking down large projects into smaller tasks and setting goals along the way. When they achieve each goal, walk them through the “story” of their achievement, which could look something like this: “When we started, you didn’t know a lot about geometry. Today you learned more about right angles and how to identify a hypotenuse. That was a lot of hard work. You’re on your way to understanding more about geometry. I bet you’re proud of the work you did today.” 

4. Provide challenges instead of worksheets  

Many times, students’ grades are based on getting things right or filling in all the answers. By providing open-ended challenges, you give students opportunities to think critically about their choices, especially those that don’t result in things working the way they are supposed to the first time.  

Some of the best challenges involve STEM/STEAM concepts. As students work through the stages of design thinking, they’ll have opportunities to test ideas, fail, and then redesign and test again, continuously learning along the way.  

To cultivate resilience through STEM challenges, you can focus on individual projects or look for tools that can serve your whole school, such as the TeacherGeek Makerspace Cart, which comes with 40 challenges and over 15,000 parts and pieces. While working through the activities, students will be using their problem-solving, communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity skills.  

5. Talk about failure in a positive light 

Part of celebrating failure is being aware of the language you use when talking about it. By modeling positivity, you can change the conversation around success and failure. For example, when a student’s bridge collapses during an engineering challenge, the conversation might look like this:  

“Wow, Malia, you put a lot of work into trying a new design. How do you think it worked? There are engineers whose job it is to figure out why some bridges collapse. If you were an engineer, what would you identify as the weak spots in this design? How do you think you could make the design different to avoid that? I can’t wait to watch you test your next design!” 

If the conversations around failure remain positive and you show how much you value effort over getting the right answer, students will learn to embrace challenges and overcome obstacles.  

Through your modeling, they’ll also learn how to positively critique their own work as well as the work of their peers and come to view critiques as a learning experience and not as a judgment or list of their faults. 

Remember change is difficult and takes time 

The work you’re doing with your students every day will make a difference, no matter how small. As you continue to nurture them, your students will learn to embrace challenges, work through obstacles, learn from critiques, and develop growth mindsets that will help them experience success throughout life. 

The post How to Develop a Growth Mindset in Students appeared first on Schoolyard Blog | Teacher Resources | School Specialty.

Grants may seem like a lot of work, but they are great ways to get extra funding for your classrooms. Grants provide visibility and credibility for your program among your administration, community, parents, and students. And they can help you meet the need for materials, tools, career preparation, and more. Keep reading for 10 tips for applying for and winning grants.

What would you want a grant for? The possibilities are endless. Perhaps you want to develop a STEM program or you are short on technological resources such as projectors, document cameras, iPads®, whiteboards, tablets, and the like. Perhaps you want to develop a hands-on garden that serves both science and nutrition, or do a class project on the environment. Winning a grant can get you there.

Here are a number of points to keep in mind about the entire process:

• Be clear about your reasons for applying for a grant. What are your long-term goals? Is a grant the only way to do what you want to do? Are you clear on your realistic chances of success? You must convince the prospective donor of two things: A significant need exists, and you have the means to solve the problem or need.
• Be specific in your plans. Develop a realistic budget that provides funding to meet program goals for student success.  Budget items need specifics, not vagueness.  Form a measurable plan for student/program success including supplies and equipment, outcomes, and evaluation methods.
• Search the field. There are three main sources for grant funding:  the government, private businesses and corporations, and foundations. Do your research. Some outlets are more conducive to what you need than others.
• Narrow the field. Your research might turn up dozens of foundations that could potentially support your cause. Make sure the grant is offered in the field you need. Check the purpose and the size of the grants offered.  Make sure their guidelines fit in with your guidelines.
• Investigate your leading prospects. Before you consider applying to a foundation or granting agency, learn as much as you can about it. Doing your homework can save you a lot of trouble in the long run. In researching a foundation, start with its website.  Most foundations post information about what they fund, guidelines, and how to apply.
• Know and follow the guidelines. Each foundation and granting agency does business in a slightly different way. Read the guidelines. Adhere to the guidelines. Don’t make up the guidelines. Have a question? Call the granting agency and ask. Just make sure the answer isn’t somewhere in the guidelines.

• Form a working group. Form a working group of other teachers and administrators to talk about what should go into the application and how it should be presented. When you do have a proposal draft, show it to an expert in the field who might be willing to review your draft and give advice. Sometimes the expertise lies within your working group; otherwise, ask the advice of someone who has touched on this field before.
• Build community support. Most organizations that make grants will want to know that your ideas have community support, because a usual part of the funder’s mission is to serve the community.  Brainstorming options include local service clubs, community foundations, county/state foundations, national opportunities, and the government. Circulate the outlines of your ideas as a rough draft and ask for feedback.
• Use a successful model. If you can get ahold of a winning application, particularly one that was funded by your chosen foundation, you can learn from it. If you have a list of grants previously made by the foundation, you can contact one of the awardees and politely ask for a proposal copy. There are also plenty of sources that have at least partial examples of successful grant applications.
• Learn from rejection. Although most grant applications are not funded, you need to go ahead and process your request anyway. The reasons of rejection may have little to do with your proposal; there are a multitude of reasons for rejection. But you have the right to find out why you did not receive your grant. Instead of asking, “Why didn’t you fund my proposal?” take the line of “What could I have done to make our proposal better?” Keep the door open to later applications, and build a positive rapport with your future contributor.

Here are several resource tools to get you started:

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Have you heard about the pickleball craze taking schools by storm? This beloved sport that started as a backyard blend of tennis, badminton, and table tennis has gained popularity among students and teachers alike. In this blog post, we’ll explore three reasons why pickleball has become a favorite in educational settings and provide tips for hosting your own school pickleball tournament. 

1. Health benefits that score big 

Have you heard about the pickleball craze taking schools by storm? This beloved sport that started as a backyard blend of tennis, badminton, and table tennis has gained popularity among students and teachers alike. In this blog post, we’ll explore three reasons why pickleball has become a favorite in educational settings and provide tips for hosting your own school pickleball tournament. 

• Cardiovascular health: Pickleball involves constant movement, whether it’s rallying at the net or dashing across the court. This dynamic activity gets the heart pumping, contributing to improved cardiovascular health. 
• Enhanced mobility and coordination: The lateral and diagonal movements required in pickleball contribute to improved flexibility, agility, and coordination. These benefits extend beyond the court, positively impacting everyday activities. 
• Joint-friendly exercise: Unlike some high-impact sports, pickleball is gentle on the joints, making it an excellent choice for kids that are still growing. 

2. Building social, emotional, and critical thinking skills 

Beyond the physical advantages, pickleball offers a unique platform for the development of life skills that will benefit students into adulthood. 

• Social connection: Pickleball is inherently social. Whether you’re playing doubles or singles, the game fosters communication, teamwork, and camaraderie. Players learn to strategize and coordinate with their teammates, building a sense of community on and off the court. 
• Emotional resilience: Competitive yet friendly, pickleball provides an environment for players to experience both winning and losing in a safe, low-stakes way, helping them develop resilience and a growth mindset. 
• Critical thinking and strategy: Success in pickleball relies not only on physical ability but also on strategic thinking. Players learn to anticipate their opponent’s moves, make quick decisions, and adapt their strategy in the moment. 

3. Inclusivity: Everyone has a place on the court 

One of the most compelling benefits of pickleball in schools is its inclusivity of participants of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds.

• Adaptability: Pickleball can be adapted to suit various skill levels. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced athlete, the game can be modified to provide an appropriate level of challenge for all players. 
• Inter-generational play: It’s not uncommon to find students playing alongside their teachers, parents, and caregivers, fostering positive inter-generational interactions. 
• Accessible equipment: The equipment needed for pickleball is minimal and affordable. All that’s required are paddles, a ball, and a standard-sized pickleball court and net. This accessibility makes it easy for schools to introduce the sport without significant financial investments.    

Tips for hosting a pickleball tournament at your school 

If you’re eager to bring the joy of pickleball to your school community, a tournament is a great option. The USA Pickleball Association has a variety of free resources available to educators. In addition to those resources, here are some practical tips: 

• Ensure you have enough pickleball paddles and balls. Consider seeking grants or community sponsorships to offset costs. 
• Develop inclusive tournament categories based on skill levels to ensure that participants of all abilities have a chance to succeed. This approach encourages more significant participation and a sense of accomplishment for all. 
• Use the tournament as an opportunity to strengthen student-teacher relationships. Encourage mixed teams, where students and teachers can compete together, fostering a sense of unity within the school community. 
• Provide ample practice time. Before the tournament, organize practice sessions to familiarize participants with the rules and techniques. This will ensure that everyone feels confident and ready on tournament day. 
• Acknowledge the efforts and achievements of participants. Consider awards not only for winners but also for categories like sportsmanship, teamwork, and improvement. 
• Capture the energy and enthusiasm of the tournament through photographs and videos. Share these moments on school bulletin boards, newsletters, or social media. 

Pickleball is more than just a sport, it’s a vehicle for promoting healthy activity, building valuable life skills, and fostering inclusivity at your school. By understanding and embracing the unique benefits of pickleball, educators can provide an enriching experience that extends beyond the gym, creating lasting memories and promoting a culture of well-being within the school community.  

The post The Benefits of Pickleball in Schools & Tournament Hosting Tips appeared first on Schoolyard Blog | Teacher Resources | School Specialty.

When students have the power to choose how and what they create, they build confidence, independence, and a deeper connection to their artwork. That’s the heart of a choice-based art classroom, often guided by the Teaching for Artistic Behavior (TAB) philosophy. Implementing choice-based art successfully can take some thoughtful planning, especially when it comes to setting up your space, managing materials, and inspiring meaningful exploration. 

If you’re new to the concept or looking for fresh ideas to support your existing setup, here are six strategies to help make your choice-based art classroom more successful — along with flexible tools that support creativity across ages and abilities. 

1. Start with intentional station design

Rather than putting out everything at once, begin with 3–4 core media areas: drawing, painting, collage, and fiber arts. Use low shelves, bins, or carts to create clear zones with labeled materials students can access independently. Having clearly defined, well-stocked centers fosters student autonomy and keeps your classroom running smoothly.  

Try this: Stock your collage station with materials that offer variety, such as Roylco® Paper Popz and Decorative Hues Paper, giving students easy access to color, shape, and layering exploration.  

2. Demonstrate, then let students take the lead

Model how to use new materials or techniques, then step back and let students make their own creative decisions. The goal is to build confidence, not control outcomes. It’s important to demonstrate how to use and clean up each material before giving students unrestricted access. This helps prevent misuse and encourages responsible choices. 

Try this: Show students how Color Diffusing Paper works by dropping liquid watercolor on a sheet — then let students try using pipettes or spray bottles. Students will quickly see how small changes can affect their results. 

3. Make reflection part of the process

Encourage students to explain their artistic choices, problem-solving steps, and techniques. Questions like “Why did you pick that material?” or “How did you solve that problem?” build metacognition and validate student agency. Reflection helps them deepen their understanding and celebrate their growth. 

Try this: Provide Roylco® Face Pads for portrait projects that invite personal storytelling and identity work, then ask students to write a short reflection on the back. 

4. Build in variety without overwhelming  

Instead of offering every option every day, rotate materials or introduce new techniques based on what students are showing interest in. Keeping options fresh encourages continued curiosity and growth.  

Try this: Create a weaving rotation with a variety of color, texture, and embellishment options. A great place to start is with Roylco Weaving Flowers or Classroom Weaving Baskets. 

5. Encourage mixing materials and mediums

One of the best parts of a choice-based classroom is watching students combine techniques in new ways. Look for items that don’t have a “right” way to use them but still help teach key art concepts like texture, repetition, or symmetry. 

Try this: Roylco® Rubbing Plates and Tessellation Animal Templates are great for adding texture and pattern to any media. They layer well with collage, painting, and printmaking activities. 

6. Celebrate creativity instead of perfection

Choice-based art allows students to engage deeply with the creative process. Emphasize the value of this process over the finished product by celebrating experimentation, effort, happy accidents, and problem-solving. 

Try this: Set up a class “works in progress” wall where students can share pieces they’re still exploring. Provide paper nearby for students to write about what they’re trying and learning and for others to provide helpful critiques. 

The most successful choice-based art rooms aren’t about offering endless supplies — they’re about creating a space where students feel trusted, seen, and encouraged to take creative risks. With thoughtful routines and the right tools in place, you can build a studio environment where every student grows as both an artist and a thinker.  

The post 6 Tips for Implementing Choice-based Art Successfully appeared first on Schoolyard Blog | Teacher Resources | School Specialty.

Every school year has its challenges, but keeping students engaged is always one of the biggest. You know that when students are interested in the content, they are more invested and reach higher achievement levels. But what’s the secret to engagement?  

According to a growing body of research, taking a hands-on learning approach may be the key. This approach not only boosts student engagement, but it can also help raise test scores and retention rates as well.  

Keep reading to discover what the research says and use it to support a hands-on approach in your classroom.  

1. Hands-on learning stimulates different parts of the brain  

Your biggest goal in the classroom is to get students thinking and activating the neurons in their brains. It seems hands-on learning does just that.  

Researchers at the University of Chicago set out to study the effects of hands-on learning on brain activity. In their study, half the participants learned about a physics concept through observation and the other half learned about it through a hands-on approach. The results? Not only did those who actively participated in the lesson outperform their peers on a post-test, but they also showed increased brain activity. 

After the lesson, students were shown images of the same physics concept while undergoing an MRI, and those who had hands-on experience with the lesson had increased activity in their sensory and motor-related brain areas, proving that hands-on learning equals brains-on learning.  

2. Hands-on learning promotes higher test scores  

Study after study that has looked at the relationship between hands-on learning and test scores has resulted in evidence that there is a positive relationship between the two. 

A study from Purdue University compared the test scores of eighth-graders who learned about water quality through lectures to those who learned about water quality by building a water purification device.  

The students who took part in the hands-on approach saw higher test scores and improvement rates. 

“In every area we tested, the students who were involved in a hands-on project learned more and demonstrated a deeper understanding of the issues than the traditional group,” said Melissa Dark, one of the leaders of the study. “This is a significant finding because it proves that with some students — especially groups traditionally underrepresented in science and engineering — the book-and-lecture format may not be the best way to engage students in learning.” 

In another study published by the Canadian Center of Science and Education, students who had the same pre-test knowledge as their counterparts were allowed to manipulate objects to understand concepts. The result was a statistically significant gain over the control group. 

In yet another study, students who were not allowed to experience hands-on learning were shown to be 1.5 times more likely to fail a course than their hands-on counterparts. 

3. Hands-on learning benefits English language learners 

While beneficial to all students, researchers noted specific gains for non-native English speakers when exposed to experiential learning.  

In the same Purdue University study noted above, students in the hands-on learning groups all made gains, but the improvement rates for non-native speakers were significant. Researcher Jody Riskowski surmised that the hands-on work non-native speakers did helped them compensate for the language barriers they experienced, resulting in improved understanding.  

“Students in the design group were able to use drawings, words, or phrases to explain how their purification design addressed water quality issues, so this put them more at ease to express what they had learned,” said Riskowski. 

4. Hands-on learning promotes longer retention  

Hands-on learning also helps learners retain information longer.  

Sian Beilock, researcher from the UChicago study and mind–body connection expert, explained the long-term benefits participants in their study experienced: “Those students who physically experience difficult science concepts learn them better, perform better in class and on quizzes the next day, and the effect seems to play out weeks later, as well.” 

5. Hands-on learning promotes student engagement 

Hands-on learning also appears to be a powerful motivator for students.  

In the study from the Canadian Center of Science and Education, students showed more willingness to participate in math and science activities and showed improvement in their performance when allowed to manipulate objects to understand concepts. 

Of the hands-on group, 90% expressed that the method made them “have more interest in learning mathematics and basic science,” and 90% stated that the “activity-oriented method is the best method of finding out how well l can perform mathematics and basic science tasks.”  

What it means for your classroom 

There are many effective instructional approaches available, and only you can determine the ones that will work best in your unique classroom. However, there is strong evidence that providing learners with manipulatives and promoting project-based, experiential learning can have positive results.  

Integrating more hands-on opportunities into your curriculum can help your learners thrive by providing lessons that not only engage them in the content but also boost test scores and retention rates.   

References  

“Active learning increases student performance in science, engineering, and mathematics”  

“Hands-on projects may be best way to teach engineering and technology concepts”  

“The Impact of Hands-On-Approach on Student Academic Performance in Basic Science and Mathematics” 

“Learning by doing helps students perform better in science”  

“Physical Experience Enhances Science Learning”  

The post 5 Research-proven Benefits of Hands-on Learning appeared first on Schoolyard Blog | Teacher Resources | School Specialty.

Not all robots are created equal. While there are plenty of cool toy robots in the market for students to play with, educational robots designed for STEM projects offer opportunities for you to introduce students to computer science and get them interested in future careers.

And they’re never too young to get started. Starting as early as PreK, students can engage in computational thinking, creativity, engineering, design thinking, and creative problem solving using programmable robots. 

There’s no question that the world of robotics and coding can seem daunting from the start. Luckily, we’ve done the research for you to help you understand which type of robots will maximize student learning. Below we’ve highlighted eight classroom-friendly robots and ideas for incorporating them into your curriculum. 

Coding Critters

Skill level: Beginner
Grade range: PreK–3 

Get your students to start coding at a young age with Coding Critters. Cute and colorful critters named Scamper, Sneaker, Ranger, Zip, Rumble, and Bumble will introduce preschoolers and elementary school students to critical-thinking, problem-solving, and other STEM skills with the help of fun, interactive, and screen-free coding challenges. 

Activity ideas 

• As a warm-up, get your students thinking like a coder through sequencing. Arrange a simple obstacle course and have each student pair up with a classmate. Assign one student to be the coder and the other to play the role of a robot. Have the coder use simple verbal commands such as forward, back, turn left, and turn right so the robot can get through the course to see if the sequence is correct.
• Practice ABCs and vocabulary while building valuable sequencing and logic skills. Students can place a Coding Critter on the ground and then place three random objects near it in different directions. The students then can build a code sequence to get their Critter to one of the objects based on the first letter of its name. 
• Practice counting numbers while building valuable sequencing and logic skills. Students can place a Coding Critter on the ground and then place small items like coins, beads, marbles, and pieces of candy around the Critter in groups up to 10. Call out a number and have students build a code sequence to get their Critter to the group of items that matches the number.
• Play a racing game in between lessons. Students can set a start and finish line about five feet apart and place a Coding Critter on the ground and roll one dice cube to get a number. Students can then program the number, press go, and see their Critter race. They will have to rush to repeat the steps to get their Critter to the finish line first. 

Code & Go Robot Mouse

Skill level: Beginner
Grade range: PreK–5 

Teach students hands-on coding concepts with Jack, the Code & Go Robot Mouse. Jack will help students create a step-by-step path using 30 double-sided coding cards that provide the perfect introduction to coding concepts. Jack lights up, makes sounds, and features two speeds and colorful buttons to match coding cards for easy programming and sequencing practice. 

The extensive activity set can be a great tool for teaching the basics of coding like logic, sequencing, and problem-solving through fun activities that will have Jack navigating through mazes and obstacle courses that you and your students can create. 

Activity idea

Set up a maze for your students with blocks or other toys on a tabletop or on the floor. Students can then program Jack so he can make it from one end of the maze to the other. Creating tunnels or other obstacles with books and classroom supplies is another option for Jack to navigate through or around. Rearrange the maze and obstacle course with different paths and routes to challenge students. 

Cubelets®

Skill level: Beginner to intermediate
Grade range: PreK–12

Cubelets is a versatile robot construction system that uses magnetic connections to make it easy for any skill level. The robot blocks can be combined and rearranged by students in different ways to create an entirely new robot. 

Students can also connect the three different kinds of Cubelets® (Sense, Action, and Think) together to build a unique robot with its own program to sense its surroundings, to act on its surroundings, and to take in data. 

Ozobot

Skill level: Beginner to intermediate
Grade range: K–12

Ozobot is a pocket-sized programmable robot that can “see” colors, follow lines and mazes, and detect intersections on paper and screens. Its scalable platform supports simple to complete coding. This desk-friendly robot is packed with learning possibilities as students are introduced to coding concepts like cause/effect, critical thinking, and debugging. 

Students can learn how to code using Ozobot in two different ways: screen-free with Color Codes and online with OzoBlockly visual programming software. Students can use Color Codes to learn basic coding concepts with the use of markers or stickers and OzoBlockly to build programs with drag-and-drop blocks. 

Activity ideas

From STEAM-related activities to lessons in language arts and history, students can learn the basic functionality of Ozobot through line following, drawing color codes, and programming directionality. 

Encourage students to show off their creativity by crafting costumes for their Ozobots that match up with lesson and activity themes, special occasions, and holidays throughout the year. A dressed up Ozobot will add an extra layer of fun and engagement to every lesson and activity that students participate in. 

Makeblock 

Skill level: Intermediate
Grade range: 3-12

Prepare students for the digital age with mBots from Makeblock. Students can build mBots for simple playing, game-based learning, and advanced programming. Through hands-on learning and coding for the mBot, students will be able to think logically, be more observant, and solve problems independently. 

The mBot has beginner-friendly coding designs for young and older students alike. Students can use block-based coding that enables them to simply drag and drop color blocks for simplified programming. 

Students then can use preset control modes or write new code through the mBlock app: obstacle-avoidance mode, line-follow mode, and manual-control mode. It connects to smartphones, tablets, and computers via Bluetooth® function blocks for control. The app can also be used for interactive and fun games. 

Activity ideas

Prepare for a dance party. Add-ons will give students an opportunity to assemble their mBots into different forms so they can see more of what they’re capable of, learn additional concepts, and put coding into practice. 

With the Music Box add-on, students can use programming and additional parts to turn their mBot into a dancing machine. When set up, switch on the mBot by controlling lights and watch it as it spins to music and its LED light shines bright.

STEM careers await

As students’ skills develop, they’ll become more fluent with technology, and it’ll be easier for them to make an impact in a STEM career. Continuing to add coding skills to their toolbox will open up doors to a wide range of high-paying, in-demand jobs, from web designers and computer programmers to software developers and computer systems administrators. Their future can be built and programmed, starting with you and the robots you bring into the classroom.

The post 5 Educational Robots to Engage Students in Coding appeared first on Schoolyard Blog | Teacher Resources | School Specialty.

Over the past few years, educators have moved away from traditional desks and adopted flexible seating practices — and they’re seeing positive results. If you’re considering adding new seating options, keep reading to learn more about the benefits and find options that are right for your classroom. 

Benefits of flexible seating

Adopting a flexible seating arrangement in your classroom can amplify your learning environment and instructional practices. These are just some of the advantages of doing away with conventional desks:  

It gives students a voice in their learning: Students learn best when they feel like they have a say in their learning environment. By giving students the choice of where they’d like to work, you’re showing them that you trust them to decide where they are most comfortable and able to do their best work.

It helps students focus: We all know students who never seem to stop moving — tapping, squirming, and sometimes bouncing right out of their seats. By providing active seating, you can channel that energy positively so students are better able to focus on the task at hand. Just like handheld fidgets, wobble stools, wiggle seats, ball chairs, and stability balls can provide movement outlets for students without disrupting the entire class. 

It promotes healthy movement: Combine sitting during the school day with an increase in screen time outside of school, and you have students who can be sedentary up to 13 hours a day, which increases their risk for health issues. Versatile options like standing desks promote movement throughout the day as they allow students to easily transition from sitting to standing. Along with the health benefits, studies have shown that classrooms with standing desks had 12% greater on-task student engagement.

It can help decrease behavior issues: When students feel trusted and supported, have an outlet for their excess energy, and can focus on the task at hand, they’re less likely to act out in negative ways. To ensure a smooth transition to a flexible seating environment, set expectations and model proper behavior for each seating option.

It promotes collaboration: Rearranging desks when you want students to partner up or work in small groups can cut into your instructional time. With flexible seating such as bean bag chairs, mobile standing desks, or ball chairs, students can easily move seating to collaborate anywhere there’s open space, making activity transitions quick, easy, and efficient.

It can provide a safe space to decompress: Every teacher knows that asking a student to get a handle on their emotions while confined to their desk is asking too much. By providing alternatives such as an Inflatable Peapod Chair or an entire calming corner, you can enable students to take a break to self-regulate without interrupting class time. Read more about how to easily create a calming corner.

Considerations when buying flexible seating  

Purchasing new furnishings for your classroom is a big investment. Consider these factors to help make choices that best fit your classroom and your students.  

Your students’ ages: There are so many different options for flexible seating, and many of them can work across grade levels. However, some seating is available at different heights and ranges from toddler-size to adult height. You may also have students with special needs who need choices that are easy to transition in and out of.  

What you’re using the furniture for: Sitting on an exercise ball while working on a science experiment might not be the best idea, but using the same chair for sitting at a desk or table for math time can improve focus. Think about the variety of activities your students engage in during the day and look for seating options that can accommodate them.  

Your room layout: You probably already have designated areas for different tasks in your classroom. Look for ways to provide different seating within those instructional areas. This may mean you plan a corner with a table and chairs where you can meet with reading groups, offer sit-stand desks that move around the room, create a reading nook with bean bags or a collaborative area with a write-on-wipe-off table, or have scoop rockers stacked in the corner when students need an active seat for independent reading time. 

Your students’ safety: It can be tempting to purchase secondhand furniture or mix donated furniture into your classroom to save costs. However, noncommercial-grade furniture can pose risks to students. Commercial-grade furniture is designed for learning environments and features increased cleanability and durability, helping to prevent allergens and resist moisture such as bodily fluids. Commercial furniture also features materials that meet fire-rating requirements for schools and won’t emit noxious fumes in the event of a fire. 

Embrace the benefits of flexible seating 

Incorporating flexible seating in your classroom can have numerous benefits for both you and your students. By providing students with a voice in their learning, helping them focus, promoting healthy movement, reducing behavior issues, fostering collaboration, and creating safe spaces for decompression, flexible seating can transform your learning environment into a more inclusive and engaging space. 

Remember, finding the right balance between comfort, functionality, and safety is key. Explore the wide range of options available and discover the positive impact of flexible seating on your students’ learning journey. 

The post Is Flexible Seating Right for Your Classroom? appeared first on Schoolyard Blog | Teacher Resources | School Specialty.

Fred Rogers famously said that in scary times, we should look for the helpers. As a teacher, you play that role for your students, helping to comfort and guide them when times are stressful. But what about your own stress levels? With the onslaught of new challenges you and other teachers face daily, the need for stress-reduction techniques has grown significantly. 

Along with typical work stressors, you’re faced with increased class sizes, changing roles, new policies, and student behavior issues brought on by the pandemic. You may also be experiencing secondary trauma from dealing with the firsthand trauma of your students and colleagues. This can lead to symptoms of anxiety and depression, such as lack of focus or burnout.  

You may feel isolated, but you’re not alone. One survey found that teachers are now more than twice as likely to report symptoms of mental health distress since the start of the pandemic.  

Are you experiencing any of the following?  

• Difficulty making decisions 
• Feelings of low energy or exhaustion 
• Emotional numbness 
• Mental distance from your job 
• Feelings of negativity or cynicism  
• Secondary trauma 
• Feelings of burnout 

If this sounds like you, then you can benefit from the 15 stress-reduction techniques Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Mental Health Professional Lisa Dunham shares below. These practices can have immediate effects on your well-being. Here are just some of the ways they can help:   

• Creating new and healthy neuropathways in your brain 
• Improving sleep 
• Reducing toxic emotions like resentment and frustration 
• Helping to regulate stress 
• Decreasing depression and anxiety 

Make a habit of practicing two or more of these stress-reduction techniques every day to help relieve some of the pressures you’re facing.  

Practice 5- to 10-minute stress-reduction techniques 

Repeat the loving kindness meditation 

1. Settle into a quiet place. Breathe slowly and soften your gaze. 
2. Repeat the following cycle two times each: 
   
   • May I be happy 
   • May I be well 
   • May I be healthy 
   • May I be safe 
   • May I be loved 
3. Then repeat the exercise with the name of a loved one, someone you’re having difficulty with, or a group of people in your school. 
   
   • May (insert name) be happy 
   • May (insert name) be well 
   • May (insert name) be healthy 
   • May (insert name) be safe 
   • May (insert name) be loved 

Practice the square breathing technique 

• Inhale for the count of four and hold it. 
• Exhale for the count of four and hold it. 
• Inhale for the count of four and hold it. 
• Exhale for the count of four and hold it. 
• Continue for one minute. 

Just breathe

1. Set a timer. 
2. Determine whether you’ll do square breathing, counting your breath (up to 10), awareness of your breath, or something else.  
3. Focus on your breath.  
4. If you lose focus, bring it back (training our brains is like training a puppy to stay). 

Set your intentions 

1. Take five minutes to set your intentions for the day (or week). 
2. Write them down and keep them posted as a reminder. 
3. Rather than a to-do list, consider a list of values or ideals that you would like to work toward in the day (or week), e.g., approach with optimism, seek opportunities where there doesn’t seem to be any, be open to others’ opinions, listen with compassion, and mindfully participate with friends and family.  

Practice gratitude

1. Take time daily to write a gratitude list of three things you are grateful for. These could be big things or small things.  
2. You can also take a few minutes to write a gratitude note to a friend, colleague, mentor, or student.  

Focus on your senses with 5-4-3-2-1 

Ground yourself by thinking of the following:  

• 5 things you can see 
• 4 things you can hear 
• 3 things you can feel 
• 2 things you can smell 
• 1 thing you can taste 

Follow your “why” 

1. Think back about why you became a teacher.  
2. Share this with a colleague or group of colleagues. 
3. Ask them their “why.”  
4. Use your “why” as your compass or guiding force when you are stressed about a decision, task, or interaction at work.  

Allow yourself to take on one task at a time 

We all multitask every day, but sometimes it helps to slow down and just focus on one task at a time to help you focus better. If a grocery list or a call you need to make for an appointment is distracting you, give yourself 10 minutes to tackle the task.  

Tackle a task with a clear beginning, middle, and end 

1. Find a task that is very clear-cut with a beginning, middle, and end, such as crafting, cleaning a cupboard, laundry, or taking a walk. 
2. Allow yourself the satisfaction of seeing your progress. 
3. Reinforce yourself with positive praise for accomplishing the task.  

Exercise 

Increase endorphins by doing something physical, such as the following: 

• Take a walk.  
• Ride a bike. 
• Practice yoga or stretching. 
• Have a dance party with friends or family (or by yourself!).  

Take 10 minutes to do something mindful 

1. Take 10 minutes to do one of these three things: observe, describe, or participate.  
2. Do these things nonjudgmentally, mindfully, and effectively. 
3. This could be any of the following: eating, walking, doing a body scan, using guided imagery, watching nature, counting breaths, coloring, or playing with children without any interruptions. 

Make the transition from school to home easier 

1. Take a different driving route home after a stressful day. 
2. Change your clothes right away. 
3. Take a moment before you get out of the car. 
4. Take the dog (or yourself) for a walk. 
5. Create a mantra. For example: Today is for today. Tomorrow is for tomorrow. 
6. Leave your work bag in the car. If you have more work to do, do your best to disconnect from school first, then do what you need to do and put your work bag in the car or a room with the door closed when you’re done.  
7. Take off your invisible backpack (all the worries or responsibilities you are carrying with you from school).  

Set boundaries and limits for stress reduction 

Decide whether you need to step up or step back   

1. Take a moment to decide whether you need to step up and contribute something or step back and allow others to participate.  
2. Try this team activity: Make a list of roles on your team and have the leader stand up and read them aloud. You and your colleagues can “step up” or “step back” to learn others’ likes, dislikes, strengths, and areas for growth.  

Be just one of the ones  

You’ve probably heard that it takes just one person to change a child’s life. While often true and inspiring, it can feel like a tremendous amount of pressure to be “the one” for everyone around you.  

Take a step back and know that you are “one of the ones” who is having an impact on a child’s life. You are one piece of the puzzle that creates an outcome, and it is not selfish to take care of yourself as well. 

Practice FAST  

1. Be fair. (Is it your turn to do something or have you given more than others already?) 
2. Don’t apologize for putting your well-being first.  
3. Stick to your values. (Does this follow your “why” or the value you are placing on your wellness?) 
4. Be truthful. (You can say no and add that you need to respect your own mental health right now.) 

As a helper, you’re used to putting yourself last. However, taking care of your own well-being will allow you to better take care of others around you and ensure you are able to show up for others when needed. Put these techniques into practice today and share them with colleagues, friends, family, and even your students.  

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