Executive Functioning

S.T.O.P.

One strategy we use with students to help them self regulate and follow expectations is S.T.O.P. S.T.O.P. expands on the first step of S.T.A.R. and can provide a simpler strategy for students to use and get used to that process. We teach students to use the strategy throughout a variety of situations. It can be used before entering a room or event, before and during transitions, or if confused about an assignment or direction. When we orient ourselves with our surroundings it helps increase our situational awareness. When our situational awareness is increased, it is more likely we feel safe and secure in an environment. As described below through our brain functions, this decreases the chance we have a "fight, flight, or freeze" response, helping students (and adults) have a balanced response to problems.

Teaching Students About the Brain

Whether we are starting ongoing support with students, or helping them solve an immediate problem, it can be helpful to teach students about the Amygdala and Prefrontal Cortex. These areas of the brain help introduce students to how our brain functions, and teaches students the why of their feelings or responses. For students, this can help answer questions like, "Is it normal I feel this way?" "Is my friend really mad at me or were we in fight, flight, freeze?" or "Why can't I remember what started the problem?"

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