In recent years, educators and mental health professionals have been exploring innovative approaches to help children cope with stress, anxiety, and emotional challenges. One such method that has gained significant traction is Tapping, also known as Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT). Tapping is a gentle and accessible practice that can be easily integrated into school environments to support students’ emotional well-being. By teaching children how to manage their emotions and stress effectively, Tapping has the potential to create more positive, focused, and resilient learners.
What is Tapping?
Tapping is a therapeutic technique that involves gently tapping on specific meridian points on the body, often while acknowledging and talking through a particular emotional issue or challenge. These points are based on the energy meridians used in traditional Chinese medicine, and tapping on them is believed to help release blocked energy, reduce stress, and promote emotional balance.
The method typically involves tapping on areas such as the head, face, and upper body while focusing on a specific emotional concern. By acknowledging the emotion and then tapping, it helps to calm the nervous system and reframe emotional responses.
Why Tapping in Schools?
School can be a challenging environment for many children, particularly in an age where anxiety, stress, and bullying are prevalent issues. Children may face a wide range of emotional struggles, including test anxiety, difficulty concentrating, peer pressure, or personal issues at home. These stressors can hinder academic performance, behavior, and social interactions. Implementing Tapping in schools offers several compelling benefits:
1. Reduces Stress and Anxiety
Stress and anxiety are increasingly common among school-aged children. Tapping provides a simple, effective tool for students to calm themselves when they feel overwhelmed. Whether it’s before a big test, during a conflict with peers, or when dealing with personal issues, students can use Tapping to self-soothe and regain control over their emotions. In this way, they can remain more present, focused, and engaged in learning.
2. Promotes Emotional Regulation
Children often struggle to manage their emotions, leading to impulsive behavior, emotional outbursts, or withdrawal. Tapping teaches them to pause, identify their feelings, and then process them in a healthier way. This fosters emotional regulation, helping children become more aware of their emotions and empowering them with a tool to manage difficult feelings when they arise.
3. Improves Focus and Academic Performance
When children are stressed or emotionally distressed, it can significantly impair their ability to concentrate and perform academically. By reducing the emotional burden through Tapping, students are able to focus more effectively on their studies. When used regularly, this technique can lead to improved academic outcomes, as students become less distracted by their emotional state and more able to engage with classroom activities.
4. Enhances Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Tapping aligns well with the goals of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) programs that many schools are adopting. SEL is centered around teaching children skills such as empathy, emotional regulation, and positive social interactions. Tapping complements these efforts by giving students a practical tool they can use to handle difficult emotions and improve their interactions with others. For example, a child who is feeling frustrated or upset may tap to calm themselves before responding to a peer, reducing conflict and promoting a more positive school environment.
5. Supports Mental Health
Incorporating Tapping into the school setting can also play a role in supporting the mental health of children. With increasing numbers of young people experiencing mental health challenges, having an accessible tool like Tapping can help them manage symptoms of anxiety, depression, or trauma. While Tapping is not a replacement for professional mental health services, it can be an important part of a holistic approach to supporting students’ well-being.
How to Introduce Tapping in Schools
Introducing Tapping in schools can be done in various ways, depending on the age group and the needs of the students. Here are a few approaches to consider:
1. Classroom Tapping Sessions
Teachers can incorporate short Tapping sessions into the school day, such as after lunch or before a test. This helps to set a calm tone and prepare students for focused learning. These sessions can be brief (5-10 minutes) and done as a group, making them a routine part of the day.
2. One-on-One Tapping for Emotional Support
School counselors or psychologists can use Tapping in one-on-one sessions with students who are struggling emotionally. By teaching children how to use Tapping in moments of distress, they empower them to manage their emotions independently.
3. Teaching Students to Tap for Themselves
Educators and school staff can also teach students how to use Tapping on their own. This can be done through workshops or by incorporating it into the curriculum. Once students learn how to tap, they have a tool they can use anywhere, anytime they need emotional support.
4. There are numerous resources to learn how to tap on the internet. You can find some good videos here or you can google tapping or emotional freedom technique and find your favorite videos/programs to learn. It’s easy to learn, practice on yourself, your kids, family, coworkers, and students!
Conclusion
Tapping is a powerful, easy-to-learn tool that can make a significant difference in the lives of children, especially in the school environment. By reducing stress, promoting emotional regulation, and supporting mental health, Tapping can help students become more resilient, focused, and emotionally aware individuals. Schools that adopt Tapping into their wellness initiatives can create a more supportive and compassionate atmosphere, fostering both academic success and emotional well-being.
Happy tapping, you will love it!
Dianne
Dianne is the founder and CEO of The Imagine Project, Inc., a nonprofit organization that helps children K-12 (and adults) process and heal from difficult life circumstances through expressive writing. Dianne has her Masters in Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing, is a thought leader in stress and trauma in children and has written multiple award-winning books including The Imagine Project: Empowering Kids to Rise Above Drama, Trauma, and Stress. She is an international speaker, lives in Colorado and has 3 grown children. Learn more about The Imagine Project at www.theimagineproject.org.
As parents and teachers we often see our kids struggling with issues that challenge their ability to cope. It may be keeping up in school, coping with friendship changes, or the trials of social media. We are always looking for tools to support our precious children (and ourselves). 