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Slide Notes

This is a presentation is intended to accompany a workshop for teachers that will facilitate a research-based discussion of stress and learning.

Text on slides is intentionally minimal so as to present the information to participants in a manageable form.

Be sure to review the notes below to see sources as well as comments I'll make to facilitate the presentation.
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Stress & Learning

Published on Nov 18, 2015

Learn about how stress impacts learning in children

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PRESENTATION OUTLINE

1.

Stress and Learning

Jody Fernando, M.Ed.
This is a presentation is intended to accompany a workshop for teachers that will facilitate a research-based discussion of stress and learning.

Text on slides is intentionally minimal so as to present the information to participants in a manageable form.

Be sure to review the notes below to see sources as well as comments I'll make to facilitate the presentation.
Photo by bottled_void
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THINK: Write down several ways your body physically responds to stress.

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:

Ask audience to do this. Then solicit responses from participants and write down physical responses on the board.
3.

The physiology of stress

INTRODUCE: "In order to fully understand how stress affects learning, we need to start with how stress affects the brain."
Photo by justine warrington
4.

THE AMYGDALA:
Area of the brain which processes anxiety and fear

Willis, J. (2014, July 18). The Neuroscience Behind Stress and Learning. Retrieved October 14, 2014.

KEY POINT: different parts of the brain process different life skills. When stress is high, certain parts of the brain grow stronger/more dominant than others.
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When threatened...

  • The amygdala acts like an alarm by:
  • releasing stimulants to the brain
  • releasing adrenaline to the body
Tennant, V. (2005, January 1). The Powerful Impact of Stress. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
6.

PREFRONTAL CORTEX:
Regulates behavior; controls brain functions like "impulse control, emotional regulation, reasoning, judgment, decision making, planning, problem solving.

Tennant, V. (2005, January 1). The Powerful Impact of Stress. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
7.

When threatened...

  • The amygdala "hijacks" the prefrontal cortex
  • Survival becomes more important than rational thought
  • Causes impulsive and defensive behavior
  • Brain integration breaks down
  • Brain hemispheres cease to work together
Tennant, V. (2005, January 1). The Powerful Impact of Stress. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
8.

HIPPOCAMPUS:
Base of memory; very responsive to stress signals

Medina, J. (2008). Brain rules: 12 principles for surviving and thriving at work, home, and school. Seattle, WA: Pear Press.
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Too much stress =

  • Poor memory skills
  • Inability to focus
  • Difficulty understanding complex topics
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Cortisol:
Hormone that regulates blood pressure, insulin, immunity, inflammatory response

Scott, E. (2014, September 14). Cortisol and Stress: How to Stay Healthy. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
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Positive effects of Cortisol

  • Secreted in high stress moments
  • Gives quick bursts of energy
  • Increases memory and immunity functions
  • Decreases pain sensitivity
Scott, E. (2014, September 14). Cortisol and Stress: How to Stay Healthy. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
12.

Negative effects of Cortisol

  • Prolonged, chronic stress
  • Impairs brain functioning and kills brain cells
  • Decreases thyroid function, bone density, muscle tissue
  • Increases blood pressure and abdominal fat
  • Lowers immunity
Scott, E. (2014, September 14). Cortisol and Stress: How to Stay Healthy. Retrieved October 14, 2014.

Tennant, V. (2005, January 1). The Powerful Impact of Stress. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
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The body must relax after stress to maintain safe cortisol levels.

Scott, E. (2014, September 14). Cortisol and Stress: How to Stay Healthy. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
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Dopamine:
Stimulant that tells brain cells to look for patterns

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Dopamine Levels

  • Strong = Sharp thinking & focus
  • Too much = perfectionism & anxiety
  • Too little = lack of attention & withdrawl
Tennant, V. (2005, January 1). The Powerful Impact of Stress. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
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Phsyical Problems

  • High blood pressure
  • Headaches
  • Vision problems
  • Stomachaches
  • Facial, neck, back pain
Tennant, V. (2005, January 1). The Powerful Impact of Stress. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
17.

EDUCATIONAL IMPLICATION:
When students are stressed out, the brain doesn't allow information in.

Willis, J. (2014, July 18). The Neuroscience Behind Stress and Learning. Retrieved October 14, 2014.

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:

Ask participants to reflect on their own experience of trying to learn during periods of high stress. Make a verbal list of strategies they used to cope.
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The impact of stress

Photo by ddrmaxgt37
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The impact of stress

Photo by ddrmaxgt37
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THINK: How do you respond emotionally to stress?

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:
Ask participants to write down a few ways they respond to stress. Record these on the board.
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What is stress?

  • A physiological response
  • A desire to avoid a situation
  • Loss of control
Medina, J. (2008). Brain rules: 12 principles for surviving and thriving at work, home, and school. Seattle, WA: Pear Press.
22.

Symptoms of Stress

  • Low impulse control
  • Difficulty focusing
  • Erradic behavior
  • Lack empathy
  • Agression or depression
Tennant, V. (2005, January 1). The Powerful Impact of Stress. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
23.

Stress is neutral.
A person's perspective of stress determines their response to it.

Tennant, V. (2005, January 1). The Powerful Impact of Stress. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
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Is this stressful to you?

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:
Ask participants to reflect on what they find stressful. Make a list of these things on the board, asking if everyone experiences these things as stressful as well.
Photo by wales_gibbons
25.

How about this?

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:

Then ask participants what they think makes children stressed and how do teachers see this manifest itself at school. Make a list of this as well.
Photo by geezaweezer
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Cause of stress in children

  • Disrupted homes
  • Excessive exposure to violence and screen time
  • Over-scheduling
  • Perfectionistic expectations/pressures
  • Academic performance
Tennant, V. (2005, January 1). The Powerful Impact of Stress. Retrieved October 15, 2014.

Medina, J. (2008). Brain rules: 12 principles for surviving and thriving at work, home, and school. Seattle, WA: Pear Press.
27.

Negative stress hurts learning

  • Brain shuts down - "goes blank"
  • Higher order thinking impaired
Tennant, V. (2005, January 1). The Powerful Impact of Stress. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
28.

Positive Stress helps learning

  • Helps a person manage a situation
  • Prepares body to react
  • Stimulates critical thinking
  • Helps people handle emergencies
  • Inspires people to excel
Tennant, V. (2005, January 1). The Powerful Impact of Stress. Retrieved October 15, 2014.

Medina, J. (2008). Brain rules: 12 principles for surviving and thriving at work, home, and school. Seattle, WA: Pear Press.
29.

EDUCATIONAL IMPLICATION:
Stress looks different in different children.

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:

3 minute share in groups situations in which teachers have seen stress look different in different children. If time, share responses that worked with these students.
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Helping children manage stress

Photo by Alan Cleaver
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THINK: What methods do you currently utilize to manage your own stress?

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"Stress disorders exist at all ages. The physiological consequences of stress build up over years and decades. The earlier we learn to deal with our stress, the better our health and energy will be as adults."

- Dr. Reed Moskowitz, founder and medical director of the Stress Disorders Clinic at New York University Medical Center

Tennant, V. (2005, January 1). The Powerful Impact of Stress. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
33.

Ways to help children manage stress

  • Don't over schedule them
  • Let them play
  • Make sure they sleep enough
  • Deep breathing, muscle relaxation
  • Positive images and self talk
Tartakovsky, M. (2013). 7 Tips for Helping Your Child Manage Stress. Psych Central. Retrieved on October 14, 2014, from http://psychcentral.com/lib/7-tips-for-helping-your-child-manage-stress/000...

Learn more about these methods here:

Tennant, V. (2005, January 1). The Powerful Impact of Stress. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
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Ways to help children manage stress

  • Teach parents first
  • Family counseling & child care
  • Exercise
Medina, J. (2008). Brain rules: 12 principles for surviving and thriving at work, home, and school. Seattle, WA: Pear Press.

For more excellent stress management techniques, visit:

Tennant, V. (2005, January 1). The Powerful Impact of Stress. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
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Browse these resources for more information:
http://www.pinterest.com/jodylouise/education-stress/

http://www.pinterest.com/jodylouise/education-stress/

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