EP311 Soft starts: a gentle, inviting way to begin the school day & foster self-regulation

Starting the school day doesn’t have to be chaotic or rushed. In this episode, I’ll explore how soft starts are transforming classrooms by offering a calm, low-pressure beginning that allows students to ease into their day. Soft starts accomplish more than just setting a calm tone—they’re a powerful tool for promoting social-emotional learning and giving kids the autonomy they need to feel in control of their learning, fostering self-regulation, self-direction, and self-management. I’ll break down why this approach is beneficial (and super simple to implement!) for all age groups, from elementary to secondary students, and share practical ways to implement it in your classroom. Soft starts don’t require a monumental shift in your daily routine, but provide a powerful opportunity to create a foundation of calm, focus, and connection that will ripple through every lesson.  If you want your students to learn how to gauge their own needs and choose activities at the beginning of class that help meet those needs so they’re prepared to learn, soft starts might be the perfect option. Get the shareable article/transcript for this episode here.