Siouxland Magazine - Volume 5 Issue 3

mindful classroom spaces, we all feel the benefits.
During the school year, our kids spend more time with
their teachers each day than with their parents. There is
power in time. Here are a few suggestions for how to
use it wisely:
1. Have fun. Rethink discipline. Emphasize play.
2. Repeat #1 often.
The closer an activity is to a game the more likely it is
to be successful. Games allow us to forget that we’re
learning because we’re having so much fun playing.
Imaginative play empowers children to use physical,
social, and intellectual skills. They develop focus,
concentration, coordination, self-awareness, selfcontrol,
and a trust in their creativity and problemsolving
skills.
Preschoolers finding and losing themselves.
Siouxland Magazine | BeComing / 47
The physiological impact of fun and joy produces
a coherent mind-body state and stimulates the
production and secretion of positive mind-body
regulating chemicals, such as dopamine, serotonin,
and epinephrine that integrate and support all the
systems of the body to function optimally and are vital
to the growth and plasticity of the brain. And because
the body is always keeping score (Van Der Kolk), when
we play games, we allow ourselves to journey from
body to bliss within the layers of our Being. The more
we play, the better we feel, and the better we feel, the
quicker and deeper we learn.
A relaxing brain break.
Play is essential to childhood development. Play is
not a reward—IT IS A NECESSITY and taking play time
or recess away almost always backfires. So, when in
doubt, play a game. Change the momentum. Create
a little confusion. When the flower doesn’t grow, we
don’t blame the flower. We change the environment.
We observe. We plan. We evolve as our understanding
changes. We keep caring. We keep loving.
Maybe the hardest thing for a more seasoned
educator to do is to rethink discipline and to reframe
the negative behaviors we experience more as bids
for connection. The hour of the time out is ending,
my friends; the era of the time in is here. Instead of
thinking kids act out because they want attention,
we understand that kids act out because they need
attention. Instead of forcing time apart, disconnecting,
and withdrawing, we cultivate time together, give
attention, and foster connection. Instead of leaving a
child to regain their regulated state on their own, we
offer ourselves to help the child co-regulate back to
stasis. Instead of being punitive, and shaming, and
rejecting, we promote growth, self-empowerment, and
acceptance. It’s time for all of us who love and serve
kids to up our game, to go to school ourselves, and to
look ourselves in the mirror. Loving that person is step
one to serving the rest.
The bell is ringing. Take a deep breath. Class is back
in session.
Lumin Therapy provides integrative health and education for the mind, body, and spirit to those who are suffering or struggling to step into and live
their heartfelt mission and purpose. Through the practice of physical therapy, medical therapeutic yoga, meditation, mindfulness, and resiliency
mentoring, Dr. Meghan Nelson, DPT, and Dr. Ryan Allen, PhD, bring more than 40 years of knowledge and experience serving individuals, families,
and organizations to learn and heal and live without boundaries.
Photo Credit Ryan Allen.