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De-escalation Strategies

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Christa Stevenson

Tier 3

Lesson Plan

Calm in the Storm Plan

Educators will learn and practice effective de-escalation strategies to manage intense situations with calm and empathy, ensuring a safe learning environment.

Effective de-escalation is vital for maintaining a safe and productive classroom. This lesson equips educators with practical tools to respond to challenging behaviors, reduce conflict, and support student well-being, fostering a more positive school climate.

Audience

Individual Educators

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Hands-on practice, role-playing, and guided reflection.

Materials

Staying Grounded Slide Deck, De-escalation Toolkit Worksheet, and Phrases for Calm Script

Prep

Preparation Steps

15 minutes

  • Review the Staying Grounded Slide Deck content and teacher notes.
    - Print copies of the De-escalation Toolkit Worksheet.
    - Review the Phrases for Calm Script for guiding the session.
    - Prepare a comfortable and private space for individual coaching.

Step 1

Introduction and Objective Setting

5 minutes

  • Begin by welcoming the educator and briefly outlining the session's objective: to equip them with effective de-escalation strategies.
    - Discuss the importance of de-escalation in their specific role and classroom context. Refer to the Staying Grounded Slide Deck for an overview of why this skill is critical.

Step 2

Understanding De-escalation Principles

10 minutes

  • Present key principles of de-escalation using the Staying Grounded Slide Deck (Slides 1-3).
    - Discuss active listening, empathy, non-verbal cues, and maintaining a calm demeanor.
    - Encourage the educator to share their current approaches and challenges in de-escalating situations.

Step 3

Practical Strategies: The De-escalation Toolkit

15 minutes

  • Introduce the De-escalation Toolkit Worksheet.
    - Work through each section of the worksheet, discussing specific techniques such as offering choices, validating feelings, and using a calm tone of voice.
    - Use the Phrases for Calm Script to model effective language and provide examples.

Step 4

Role-Playing and Practice

10 minutes

  • Engage in brief role-playing scenarios tailored to the educator's experiences.
    - Provide constructive feedback, focusing on applying the strategies from the De-escalation Toolkit Worksheet and the Phrases for Calm Script.
    - Encourage reflection on what felt effective and what could be adjusted.

Step 5

Reflection and Next Steps

5 minutes

  • Conclude by asking the educator to reflect on one key takeaway or strategy they will implement.
    - Provide additional resources or follow-up opportunities as needed.
    - Reiterate the importance of self-care for educators in demanding roles.
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Slide Deck

Staying Grounded: De-escalation Strategies

Welcome! Today, we'll explore practical ways to stay calm and help students in tough moments. We all face tricky situations, and having a plan makes all the difference. Let's make sure you feel prepared and confident!

Welcome the educator. Briefly introduce the topic of de-escalation and its importance in their daily role. Ask them to share a time they felt overwhelmed in a challenging student interaction.

What is De-escalation?

It's about helping someone calm down and feel safe.

  • Goal: Reduce tension, prevent conflict, and support the student.
  • Not about: 'Winning' an argument or asserting power.
  • Key: Empathy, patience, and understanding the situation.

Explain that de-escalation isn't about winning, but about diffusing tension and helping students regain control. Emphasize empathy and understanding the root cause of behavior. Ask: 'Why do you think it's important to understand why a student might be escalating?'

Your Calm, Their Calm

The most powerful tool you have is your own calm presence.

  • Self-Awareness: Notice your own feelings and physical reactions.
  • Deep Breaths: Simple but effective for staying centered.
  • Regulate First: You can't pour from an empty cup—or calm from a place of panic. Ensure you are grounded before engaging.

Discuss how an educator's calm presence is the first and most powerful tool. Talk about emotional regulation as a self-management skill for both students and adults. Refer to the idea of 'co-regulation' where the adult's calm helps the child calm.

Non-Verbal Cues: What Are You Saying?

Your body language speaks volumes, often louder than words.

  • Open Stance: Avoid crossed arms or hands on hips.
  • Respectful Distance: Give personal space.
  • Calm Eye Contact: Not staring, but reassuring.
  • Relaxed Facial Expression: Show you are approachable and safe.

Go over non-verbal communication. Discuss body language, proximity, and eye contact. Ask for examples of how a teacher's non-verbal cues can either escalate or de-escalate a situation.

Words That Work: Verbal Strategies

Choose your words carefully to create a bridge, not a wall.

  • Validate Feelings: "I see you're upset." or "It sounds like you're frustrated."
  • Offer Choices: "Do you want to work here or at your desk?"
  • Clear, Simple Language: Avoid jargon or long explanations.
  • Low, Slow Tone: A calm voice helps calm others.
  • Listen Actively: Truly hear what they're saying.

Introduce verbal strategies. Emphasize validation of feelings, offering choices, and using clear, simple language. Introduce the Phrases for Calm Script here as a resource. Role-play a simple example.

Proactive vs. Reactive

De-escalation isn't just about reacting; it's about preventing.

  • Identify Triggers: What usually sets a student off?
  • Safe Space: Ensure the environment feels secure and predictable.
  • Clear Expectations: Students thrive when they know the rules.
  • Build Relationships: A strong connection can prevent many conflicts.

Discuss the importance of understanding triggers and proactively creating a supportive environment. Connect this to the De-escalation Toolkit Worksheet. Ask: 'How can you use what you know about a student to prevent escalation?'

Your De-escalation Toolkit

You now have a powerful set of tools to navigate challenging moments.

  • Stay Calm First.
  • Observe Non-Verbal Cues.
  • Use Calming Words & Active Listening.
  • Be Proactive & Build Trust.

Remember, every interaction is a chance to build connection and create a safer space. You've got this!

Recap the key strategies. Encourage the educator to review the De-escalation Toolkit Worksheet and the Phrases for Calm Script. Ask them to identify one strategy they will try this week. Provide a positive and encouraging closing statement.

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Worksheet

De-escalation Toolkit Worksheet: Staying Calm in the Storm

This worksheet is designed to help you organize and practice de-escalation strategies. Use it as a personal guide to navigate challenging situations with students.

Section 1: Understanding the Situation

  1. Identify Potential Triggers: What situations, topics, or interactions tend to escalate students in your classroom? List 3-5 common triggers.





  2. Recognize Early Warning Signs: What physical or verbal cues do students exhibit when they are starting to escalate? (e.g., fidgeting, change in voice, withdrawal)





Section 2: Your Calm Response - Self-Regulation

  1. My Personal Calm Down Strategies: Before engaging with an escalated student, what can you do to stay calm and grounded? (e.g., deep breaths, counting, a quick mental check-in)





  2. Non-Verbal Communication Check: How can you adjust your body language to appear calm and approachable? Consider your:
    * Stance:
    * Eye Contact:
    * Facial Expression:
    * Proximity:


Section 3: Verbal Strategies - Phrases for Calm

Refer to the Phrases for Calm Script for ideas, then complete the following:

  1. Validating Feelings: Write down 2-3 phrases you can use to acknowledge a student's emotions without agreeing with their behavior.




  2. Offering Choices/Control: What are 2-3 simple choices you can offer a student to empower them and give them a sense of control?




  3. Setting Clear Limits (Calmly): How can you state expectations or limits clearly and kindly, without escalating the situation?




Section 4: Practice Scenario

  1. Imagine: A student is loudly complaining about an assignment, starting to get red in the face, and pushing their papers away. They say, "This is stupid! I hate this!"

    • What is your first non-verbal response?


    • What is your first verbal response (using a validating phrase)?


    • What choice could you offer to help them regain control?


Section 5: Reflection & Commitment

  1. One Key Takeaway: What is one specific de-escalation strategy you commit to practicing this week?




  2. Support: What support or resources might help you further develop your de-escalation skills?

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Script

Phrases for Calm: Your De-escalation Script

This script provides examples of calm, empathetic, and effective language to use during de-escalation. Remember to adapt these phrases to the specific student and situation, always maintaining a calm and supportive tone.

1. Opening the Conversation & Validating Feelings

  • "I can see you're really upset right now."
  • "It looks like you're having a tough time with this."
  • "It sounds like you're feeling frustrated/angry/sad about [situation]."
  • "I'm here to listen. What's going on?"
  • "Take a deep breath with me."

2. Offering Choices & Control (Empowerment)

  • "Would you like to talk about this here or step outside for a minute?"
  • "Do you want to work on this problem or move to another task for a bit?"
  • "You can choose to [positive action] or [another positive action]."
  • "How can we solve this together?"
  • "What do you think would help right now?"

3. Setting Calm, Clear Limits

  • "I understand you're upset, but we need to use calm voices."
  • "We can talk about this when you're ready to speak calmly."
  • "My job is to keep everyone safe, and right now, [behavior] isn't safe."
  • "We need to [expected behavior] so we can [desired outcome]."
  • "Let's find a way to make this work so you can [positive outcome]."

4. Re-directing & Problem Solving

  • "Let's focus on what we can control."
  • "What's one small step we can take to fix this?"
  • "When you're ready, we can think about solutions."
  • "This is a challenge, and we can work through it."
  • "I know this is difficult, but I believe in you."

5. Closing & Moving Forward

  • "Thank you for working with me to calm down."
  • "I appreciate you taking the time to talk."
  • "What's your plan for moving forward?"
  • "Remember, I'm always here to help you when you need it."
  • "Let's take another deep breath together."

Teacher Notes:

  • Practice: Encourage educators to practice these phrases regularly, perhaps even in front of a mirror, to make them feel natural.
  • Tone: Emphasize that the delivery (calm, empathetic tone) is just as important as the words themselves.
  • Flexibility: Remind educators that these are starting points, and they should adjust them based on the student's age, personality, and the specific situation.
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