Do you dread Monday mornings after your students have been home for the weekend or long holiday break? Have you noticed some children seem to ramp up their behaviors as Friday dismissal time approaches? What is it about saying good-by for the weekend and hello on Monday that presents a challenge for some students?

Leaving the school family on Friday afternoons and re-joining on Monday mornings is often difficult for children, especially children who have experienced trauma. We can relate to these children on some level as we have all had difficult hellos and good-byes in our lives. As adults we build defenses to distract us from that inner pain, children show us with their hurtful and disruptive behavior in the classroom.

In this episode, we will learn strategies for reaching and building relationships with children and their families transforming both the home life and the life of the classroom. Listen in as long time Kindergarten teacher and two-time Teacher of the Year Tiffany Taylor shares how to ease the pain of difficult good-byes on Friday afternoons and challenging hellos on Monday mornings.

Essential Takeaways

Children who have experienced trauma have difficulties with hello and good-byes. Through consciously creating meaningful rituals around hello and good-bye routines in the classroom, teachers can ease the pain of these difficult moments and provide connections that carry them through the weekends.

Steps for Tomorrow

Have hello and good-bye rituals

Create flexibility in arrival and departure routines

Teacher self-care so you can remain calm during difficult times

Use visuals for routines so children can see the information

Important Links

Conscious Discipline website

ILUR video

Greeting Ritual video

Kim jackson’s brain smart start video

Products

• Conscious Discipline: Building Resilient Classrooms

• I love you rituals

• Conscious Discipline job Board

Show Outline

:23 What is Conscious Discipline

1:09 Monday Madness – the impact of Hello and Good-bye

3:20 Hello and Good-bye for children with trauma

4:35 Introduction of guest Tiffany Taylor, Kindergarten Teacher

6:42 Grand Avenue Learning Center

8:13 Trends with student behavior on Friday afternoons and Monday mornings

9:28 Strategies for helping students re-enter the school family on Mondays

12:53 When children chronically struggle with re-entry on Monday mornings

14:44 Monday morning behaviors and strategies to support children who struggle

17:30 Friday afternoon behaviors and strategies to support children through good-byes

20:31 Steps for tomorrow: Hello and good-bye rituals and what to watch for

24:21 Create flexible arrival and departure routines

25:16 Teacher self-care

25:46 Use visual images for routines

26:35 Rituals of hello and good-bye for adults

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING

There are many ways you could have spent this time today, but you chose to spend it with me and I am grateful. If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it with others via your favorite social media platforms.