Spring is a time of rebirth. 2021 is the perfect year to embrace this idiom (after 12 months of isolation). As schools adapt to the permanency of the “new normal” by upgrading HVAC systems and integrating ever-lasting PPE solutions, sadly, innovations to help improve students’ mental health and well-being may be overshadowed.
From March through October 2020, the share of mental health-related hospital emergency department visits rose 24% for children ages 5 to 11 and 31% among adolescents ages 12 to 17, when compared to the same period in 2019, the CDC reported based on a federal health surveillance program. While the CDC does not record whether a patient reported a mental health emergency as a result of a disaster, all of the mental health emergencies included stress, anxiety, acute post-traumatic stress disorder, or panic.
May is “Mental Health Awareness Month”. COVID-19 has already changed our children and how they learn. I hope TeamPAR’s ideas to reach every student as schools reopen is inspiring. Lean on TeamPAR to design, purchase and install any (or all!) of these ideas. They will enhance the student experience and improve their focus, comprehension and general well-being.
Improvement #1: Desking Options!
From bicycle desks to sit-to-stand desks and dry erase boards that double as PPE protection —- these student-centric solutions work! Student have had the flexibility to move around while home schooling. These options will provide students the flexibility they need while remaining focused in the classroom.
Improvement #2: Nooks!
Nooks are the perfect solution for students who need quiet time to think, read or simply recharge. In today’s collaborative classrooms, these student-centric solutions work! Students have had the flexibility of changing their seating options throughout the day while home schooling. A nook will provide students the quiet area they need to remain focused in the classroom.
Many students are tactical learners and enjoy learning in nature (and sitting on the ground!) Even if your school is in an urban setting, the integration of grass turf area rugs and floor rockers and cushions are a big WIN. When students aren’t trying to hold themselves still in their chairs, they can integrate auditory, visual, and tactile systems of the body. These options will ensure students feel more comfortable and help them learn.
Improvement #4: Biophilia!
Biophilic design has many benefits. From decreasing anxiety to increasing concentration, the integration of nature within a school building benefits the students’ mind, body and spirit (and may help increase test scores, too!) Our physical environment can impede or enhance our natural ability to learn and the addition of biophilia is a win-win for all occupants — students and staff alike.
Biophilic classrooms at Putney High School
If you are interested in learning more about design solutions to improve your students’ mental health, talk to one of our team members today.