Help me give my students Sandisk mp3 players (that we can load with music, sounds, & relaxation exercises) so that they can use positive coping skills at school (during a pandemic) to deal w/their mental health diagnoses.
I teach resource room English and Health to high school students diagnosed with various emotional and mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, and PTSD. Many of these students struggle to learn online with less in-person interaction, and they all have experienced additional trauma during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through SEL instruction at school, they learn about the benefits of coping skills such as relaxation techniques, soothing/motivating music, & mindfulness.
If students can access mp3 players pre-loaded with a themed playlist (calm, de-escalate, experience happiness, and find motivation/focus), they can use a learned coping strategy without being tempted by nonhelpful playlists often preloaded on their own devices.
Students can check-out one device for a specific need and use it during non-instructional time or when completing independent work. Please consider helping my students learn & practice healthy coping skills they need more than ever now.
My Project
Students in my district are learning from home, but my students are provided weekly in-person supports based on how their medical and mental health diagnoses affect their learning. The separation from friends and the daily uncertainty of the pandemic have heightened anxiety, and choosing positive, calming sounds and music is a skill they are taught to use by mental health therapists who work with them.
The mp3 players are small, can be loaded with appropriate material, and easy for the students to use as approved learning supports when they are at school (some up to 4 days a week, currently).
The microSD cards expand the device memory in the most cost-effective way. Thank you for supporting these students as they cope with educational barriers in a positive way.
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