My pathway back

Firstly, the science...

When tamariki experience stress or overwhelm, the parts of the brain responsible for problem-solving, learning and self-control become less effective. Before they can engage with learning again, they first need to feel safe, connected and regulated.

A gradual return to learning supports this because it:

Reduces pressure: Rather than expecting tamariki to move immediately from upset to "ready," it acknowledges that regulation happens in stages.

Builds self-regulation: Repeating the same simple steps helps tamariki recognise what they need when emotions become big and gives them confidence to manage those feelings over time.

Why this activity?

Together you'll develop a simple "Back to Learning Pathway" that everyone understands and practises during calm moments. Then, when big emotions arise, the pathway is already familiar and can gently guide tamariki back towards participating at a pace that feels manageable.

You'll need

• Large paper, a whiteboard, or poster

• Pens or markers

  
  

What to do

Begin by talking about what it feels like when we become overwhelmed. You might ask questions like:

• What happens in your body when you're feeling really upset or frustrated?

• Is it easy to learn when you're feeling like that?

• What helps you start feeling ready again?

Explain that everyone needs time to move from feeling overwhelmed back to learning, and that there isn't one "right" way to do this.

Together, create a simple pathway that everyone in your class can understand. For example:

Pause → Connect → Help my tinana settle → Choose one small step → Rejoin my friends

Ask tamariki to think about what each step might look like. For example:

Pause

• Take a breath.

• Move to a quiet space.

• Ask for help.

Connect

• Talk with a trusted adult.

• Sit beside someone who helps you feel safe.

• Share how you're feeling.

Help my tinana settle

• Stretch.

• Drink some water.

• Take slow breaths.

• Use a calming strategy you've practised before.

Choose one small step

Rather than expecting tamariki to return to everything at once, brainstorm small first steps such as:

• Sit near the group.

• Watch and listen for a few minutes.

• Complete one familiar task.

• Work alongside a trusted friend or kaiako.

Rejoin my friends

Acknowledge everyone returns differently, and that's okay.

Practise walking through the pathway together during calm times.

Display the pathway somewhere visible so it becomes a shared part of your classroom.

Whānau engagement

Share your class pathway with whānau through your newsletter or communication app. Encourage tamariki and whānau to create similar pathways for returning to calm to use at home.

And to add to this...

Practice some calming strategies together as a class. You can find some here with our activity, Grounding Ourselves.

Curriculum links

Health and PE Curriculum 

• Personal Health and physical development: A1 - Personal growth and development