The Calm Room: One School’s Radical Plan To Combat Childhood Trauma | NBC News

Thomas Stevenson's first school suspension was in kindergarten. After that he spent years struggling with behavioral issues at home and school. But, after transferring to Ridgeview Elementary in Yakima, Washington, Thomas transformed. The counselors and staff at Ridgeview are taking a radical approach to behavioral issues by issuing fewer suspensions, and helping children understand the underlying traumas that cause them to act out.
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The Calm Room: One School’s Radical Plan To Combat Childhood Trauma | NBC News

[@jofantioch]

This is radical? We do this in Massachusetts. In our school we have calm corners in every room as well as a calm room with two highly skilled educators. They are a treasure for us. This needs to be the norm.

[@MommaDee23]

It takes a village. They are all our children 🌻💝

[@kathrynshaw192]

Here in Michigan, during the recession, money became so tight that first our established charity programs went to Good Will for financing. Then they went to Congress in order to stay alive. Foster Grandparents was one such program. We assisted within the schools and juvenile detention centers. The State of Michigan opened up child care centers in the very worst areas where parents required State Resources. The Foster Grandparents would provide supervision during these periods of time to what initially appeared to be "throw-away" children" It's a demeaning process to be forced to ask for help from the State. You are forced to admit your failure to provide basic funds and services for your family, and relinquish your personal privacy in an attempt to secure minimal benefits for them. People, understandably, become irritable and even angry at whomever gets in their way. Typically, when the adults came to pick up the children, they would snatch them by the upper arm and jerk them into whatever place the adult desired. I've seen this happen with infants less than 6 months old and seen the broken humerus of an adult disabled male. The psychology of the caregiver is always the same: frustration with current circumstances. However, it is the children who are taking the brunt of the abuse and the modeling of the behavior for the future. Otherwise, most of these children appeared to be well cared for. I used my time with the children to find something to appreciate. I would slow the parent down, engage them in a conversation about the potential for their children and possible things they might consider encouraging. By the time the parents left, they usually were focused on how special their child was and not on how desperate their temporary condition was. We frequently saw parents bringing their children to us during the summer and holidays as a safe place to play with others of their own age. The State had little understanding of how grateful the local residents were just for the safe community location.

[@The4x4Mama]

Kathryn Shaw I live in Michigan and know first hand how amazing foster grandparents are! My kids all benefited! So sad when program stopped. We met so many amazing people who my kids, now teenagers, still fondly remember and talk about. My blessings to you!!

[@sophiaduarte745]

Awesome. I pray this spreads. Awesome Message. ♥️🌎🎶

[@eddiehizo3365]

That's right! Learn from that.

[@abigailjunek]

I think high schools students like me needs this with the amount of stress the teachers put on us to pass and graduate high school and other life problems that come our way.

[@pevitzachast6892]

Absolutely wonderful. Everyone should do this.

[@antoniaklock3625]

This is wonderful and so needed for children of all ages.

[@semones57]

What a beautiful solution.

[@azrielhopkins7795]

I feel pretty bad For the those who Go through the process of Feeling like their being Haunted by The past.

[@SqeeFlurry]

I used to go to the clam room back when it was new, there was a other way you can go there is with tickets you would earn by helping out or doing school work, I remember me and my friends would play yugioh during lunch and play on the xbox.

[@wholesomeness5523]

Pov:this was your old school

[@rznclan4301]

The kid in here go's to my school

[@susuilu]

Interesting how the mother said his father struggled with substance abuse and later admitted that it is both, her and the kids father. ADS comes from that and the little boy definitely has those Trauma issues.

[@eddiehizo3365]

The calm room. That's not going to work....especially going up against a bully if he is being beaten up at constantly. What......the kid gets a black eye and just remain calm? Lol!!! The kid gets kick or punch you must defend yourself. Martial skills needs to implemented for them. They will learn self- control and defend.

[@24daytona26]

There are reasons behind people's actions?

[@duvine3882]

Not radical, we grew up this way decades ago, that stoped when they added police to make arrests for profit penal system instead of teachers teaching through de-escalation subjects as civility, manners, anger management plus conflict resolution.

[@squigga5957]

Ayy my elementary

[@hialwayssmile8325]

k i go to hoover and to honest this might work for some but like not for all i have shared a bus and other stuff and they are bad kids

[@eddiehizo3365]

Yeah I get it that the parents has some influenced on his/her behavior but......a calm room? It can work for some extent but .....no.

[@eddiehizo3365]

Here is a great idea......don't make babies if you can't handle the responsibility. 😁

[@hestiaa9354]

Eddie Hizo That’s all well and good, but we must deal with the here and now. Otherwise, society is going to have to deal with them. Or, you and might become victims of their inability to deal with their childhood trauma. If this program works and prevents children from becoming a danger to themselves or society, it’s worth it.

[@ulligoschmidt4189]

That is how schools should work. This teachers do a real good job.They have to earn more respect and that for some more money!

[@yakelinalcalaaa1064]

Hi

[@yakelinalcalaaa1064]

Hi im alexa

[@eddenoy321]

'Calm room'...pfft.... yeah, great idea....original

Sounds like "safe spaces" movement

[@Chibz]

@ They're children! Give them a break

[@yosoyvane9189]

He was a fifth grader

[@squigga5957]

I've been in there and smells hella good

[@shawnnewell4541]

Yakima is in a conservative part of Washington state. As a resident I'm proud of this program.

[@jesuschristthemosthighgod3094]

Shawn Newell So what you Trump Clown 🎃

[@eddiehizo3365]

I don't blame the kid for getting mad. I would too if someone kick me. He should learn martial art to defend himself....I will teach that kid. I am a martial art instructor.

[@joeshmoe9978]

The mom should have removed the gross multiple piercings before the interview. 😲