Exploring the CALM Technique
Lisa Seward, a child therapist, spent time with our Junior School faculty demonstrating different tools needed to help lower anxiety in the children they teach.
With humour, enthusiasm, and countless real-life examples, Lisa emphasized the importance of building nurturing relationships with students by increasing empathy and compassion. She demonstrated the CALM Technique, developed by Jennifer Kolari, author of Connected Parenting. The CALM Technique helps teachers and parents accurately attune to the child’s affect and experience by mirroring the child’s emotion. Rooted in science, the CALM Technique allows the child’s brain to release reward chemicals that stimulate positive emotions and restore order and balance in the nervous system. A calm child with positive emotions is a child who can learn. The faculty spent time role playing, critiquing and practicing the technique in a large group format.
Lisa provided invaluable insight and actual strategies that can be used to help children find a way to express and work through their most anxious moments. The faculty is looking forward to a follow-up visit from Lisa before the end of the school year.
Submitted by Kelly Johnson, Grade 5 teacher
Submitted by Kelly Johnson, Grade 5 teacher
Land Acknowledgment
The Country Day School wishes to recognize and acknowledge the land on which the school operates. Our nearest Indigenous Nations are now the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Chippewas of Georgina Island. The Dish with One Spoon Wampum covenant is often cited as an example of the shared responsibility for caring for these lands among the Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples who would call these their traditional territories. CDS respects the relationship with these lands and recognizes that our connection to this land can be strengthened by our continued relationship with all First Nations, by acknowledging our shared responsibility to respect and care for the land and waters for future generations.
School Information
13415 Dufferin Street King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
