Stop the Stress in Schools

This timely book explores the stress experienced in our schools and shows teachers how to reduce the atmosphere of tension and pressure in their classrooms. It emphasizes the power the teacher has in building a positive environment, through kindness and stress reduction.

Stop the Stress in Schools introduces mental health strategies that lead to a pro-social classroom environment that supports student well-being, security, kindness, motivation, and ability to learn effectively. It argues that conflict does not involve large isolated incidents but small daily frustrations that can lead to a toxic classroom climate. The book provides teachers with explicit ways of building healthy relationships and ways of handling little problems every day to create classrooms where negative interactions, such as bullying, can be reduced. Instead of targeting the symptoms of stress, this book focuses on social-emotional traits that are instrumental in helping children experience stress and navigate through it.

Committed to generating more positive classrooms, Stop the Stress in Schools features calming strategies that include slowing the pace; increasing positive engagement and interaction; considering the perspective of the student; and celebrating the process instead of the product. A comprehensive approach to reducing stress for teachers and students, the book includes practical examples, activities, and samples of student work.