Do you know the term “interoception,” the perception of the internal state of one’s body? Tune into this episode for ways to help students refine their sense of interoception and gain awareness and self-control over their emotions and behavior. Dr. Amy Yillik’s guest this week is Katie Diez, an occupational therapist in the High Desert Education Service District who explains the importance of students becoming mindful of their body sensations and how these sensations are linked to emotions in particular. She suggests that educators encourage students to recognize physical sensations without judgment, link them to specific emotions, and develop strategies to deal with them.
Educators can use these same methods, even as simple as deep breathing, to handle their own stress. This episode offers an array of helpful suggestions for achieving mindfulness and self-control as we help students self-regulate their behavior.
Resources -
The Significance of Interoception
Katie Diez demonstrates a mindfulness exercise, bead breathing
Katie Diez’s “Katie Calm Time” - working with students on turn taking, impulse control, and social skills
Using Body Wisdom to Calm the Stressed Brain - OEA self-paced module
Applied Educational Neuroscience Program OEA Grow is a proud member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network
