If you’ve ever walked into a primary classroom the first weeks of school you have probably observed a squirming tangle of post-toddler tykes trying to sit “criss-cross applesauce” on a rug. You’ll hear multiple moans of “I’m tired!” Try as we might to keep them focused, we find ourselves playing whack-a-mole with our calls to attention.  As teachers we are working to build stamina so that our young learners can focus and pay attention. But what if our efforts are directed more keenly on mental stamina and not as much on physical stamina?

As observed in over a dozen kindergarten and first grade classrooms this week I noticed how difficult it was for so many students to sit on the floor in an upright position. They were tipping over, lying down, rolling around…(in other words, normal kid behavior in most situations). But as I saw the teachers reminding and redirecting in order to get the students’ attention, many were struggling to sit upright in a comfortable position.

What if it’s not attention, but core strength that needs more stamina?

I don’t think it is an either/or proposition, but I wondered how we could help our kiddos develop more core strength. I think the first step may be to talk to them about it. Maybe a conversation like…

“Hey kids, I notice it is hard or a lot of us to sit upright for awhile on the rug. We need to build up our bodies’ muscles so that we can sit comfortably and have stronger bodies. The muscles in our tummies and back are called our core. We use our core to help us sit and move. Try to tighten up your tummy muscles. What you are feeling is part of your core.”

Then we can remind and encourage students as they fidget that they are working on building up their core, the more they sit upright the stronger it is getting. We can also try to implement a few core strengthening activities (and perhaps talk to our phys ed teachers about some games and activities as well)

Here are a few resources I researched. Not surprisingly they come from parenting and child development sites. They might good for us to share with our students’ families.

The Easiest Core Strengthening Exercises for Kids

9 Exercises for Kids to Improve Core Strength and Conditioning

Another idea might be to consider variations in sitting posture for our students. I know space is often limited, but are there opportunities for students to try a non-criss-cross-applesauce posture? This video goes over 4 basic ground positions:

• Cross Sit Position
• Bent Sit Position
• Side Bent Sit Position
• Long Sit Position

I am certainly not advocating that students need to sit still and upright like robots in order to be paying attention. (The teacher in the photo above recognizes that we don’t all have to sit the same way to attend and learn.) And I’m not saying this will cure all attention issues. Human beings are complex critters. We know some of our kiddos lack healthy diets and sleep regimens, are struggling with issues of trauma, may suffer from ADHD or mental illness, or are developmentally delayed. These can all contribute to a lack of attention. But giving our student some awareness and tools to help them build stronger bodies and minds is what we are all about as teachers.  There are benefits to floor sitting that can help with strength, flexibility, and physical fitness. Let’s tap into them. I’d love to know what you’ve tried and what works for your kiddos.

Here’s to a strong start to this school year.

One More Off My TBR Stack

SONG FOR A WHALE by Lynne Kelly
Twelve year old Iris is a genius at fixing up radios, what makes it even more remarkable is that she is deaf. Iris feels isolated as the only deaf person in her school and a father who barely knows sign language. She becomes fascinated with Blue 55, a whale who is unable to speak to other whales. Iris empathizes with him and devises a plan to sing to him using what she knows about radio frequencies and technology. But Blue 55 lives in the Pacific and she lives in Texas. Thus begins an unlikely adventure with her deaf grandmother who is grieving the death of her grandfather. Together they try to find ways to heal their loneliness and that of Blue 55. A great book for anyone longing for connection. Based on the life of a real whale (Blue 52).

So I’ve taken about two months off from blogging because I really wanted to focus on something important. My son, my youngest, was finishing his senior year in high school and I wanted to minimize my commitments to things outside of our family and his waning days as a senior. At first I felt the tug to keep up with Twitter chats, book groups, blogs, and professional development, but taking time to prioritize helped me realize how short and precious life is and reminded me that taking a pause is not the same as giving up interests and activities. I had the best time watching my boy finish strong and loved being in the moment for each moment.

I also became more aware of how FOMO (fear of missing out) can eat away at the joys  we have right in front of us. Missing out on a great Twitter chat or a retirement party couldn’t compare to watching my boy play baseball or receive academic recognition. I let it go, let myself be fully in the present moment.

Summer is a season where FOMO can run rampant, especially with teachers and their friends. Because we have no flexibility in our time off, our vacation plans are condensed into these few weeks and months. We try to make the most of it with adventures, experiences, and even purchases. Every day I see posts from friends who are sharing the joys they are experiencing, and almost every day I see some response that says, “jealous”.

I know it may seem innocuous to many people, and this post may seem overly “PC” but I encourage us all to pause and seek a more supportive response for our friends and loved ones. Our envy or jealousy does not add to their joy or help lift them up. I know many of these comments are meant as a humorous reply, but then I notice how the encouraging comments such as, “so happy for you” or “love that your family had this adventure together” can better express how much we love and care about our friends and are truly happy for their well-being and joys.

Another consideration to these responses is how they affect us.

• Are we really jealous? If so, that’s something we can work to address-life is too short to live with the burden of envy. Comparing our lives with others’ crowds out our own feelings of gratitude–an important source of joy. Remember, people aren’t sharing their struggles as much as their happiness. No one’s life is accurately portrayed on social media and many aspects we would not be envious of at all.
• Are we just kidding? It may come off as passive-aggressive if it diminishes the joy of others. Do we find it humorous when we are on the receiving end of these comments? If we are going for humor, maybe we could put a little more creative effort into our responses.

Teachers often carry around a misguided guilt for having “so much time off” as it is. We hear, “must be nice” so much we often feel the need to rationalize our schedule and explain to others that we aren’t being paid for that time. We shouldn’t have to, but it is a reality.

I don’t want to shame anyone who has responded to others’ social media posts or conversations in this way. I have done it myself without much thought to how it might be received. I know this post may irk a few people who think I’m being overly-sensitive. That’s okay if it helps them think more about how our actions affect others, and ourselves. Our world needs more loving kindness and every small gesture we put out into it can create a ripple that is ever extending. Let’s be happy for one another. Let’s lift each other up. Let’s pause before we post. Let’s embrace an attitude of gratitude!

Namasté.

One More Off My TBR Stack

WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING by Delia Owens

Reading also took a back seat these past two months. I turned to audio books to feed my insatiable need-to-read. I downloaded this book on Audible and it drew me in right from the start! I cannot begin to tell you how much I LOVE this story and the character Kya who was slowly abandoned by each member of her family, starting with her mother, and left to survive in the swamps of North Carolina. She is befriended by Tate, who also lost his mother and he teachers her to read and encourages her passion in biology and botany of the marsh life. But in 1969, the handsome, womanizing, former football hero is found dead and the locals immediately suspect the mysterious “marsh girl”. The story weaves back and forth from Kya’s childhood to the trial that will determine her fate so seamlessly and suspensefully. Delia Owens love of nature paints a lush backdrop to this incredible story of heroic grit and survival. The Audible Audio version narrated by Cassandra Cambell is amazing!