For example, says Reiter, "Instead of using time-outs, we teach kids to take 'time-ins,' to manage their feelings," part of an em phasis on teaching the students to self-regulate rather than relying on punishments and rewards. And when children do have prob lems, she adds, "We'll ask them what they could do differently next time."
Breathing buddies is part of the Inner Resilience Program, a legacy of the attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11,
2001. Thousands of children in schools near the twin towers were evacuated as the buildings went up in flames. Many hiked miles up the emptied West Side Highway, their teachers walking backward to be sure the children wernot looking at the horrific specter behind.
In the months afterward, the Red Cross asked Linda Lantieri whose conflict resolution program had already been successful in many schools-to design a program to help the children (and teachers) regain their composure after 9/11. The Inner Resil ience Program, along with a range of social and emotional learn ing methods, "has transformed the school," Reiter says. "It's a very calm place. And when kids are calm, they learn better.
"The biggest piece is getting the kids to self-regulate," principal Reiter adds. "Because we are an early childhood school, we help students learn how to put their problems in perspective and develop strategies to resolve them. They learn to size up how big a problem is, like getting teased or bullied-it's big when someone hurts your feelings. Or middle-sized, like being frustrated with your school work. They can match the problem to a strategy."
The classrooms in P.S. 112 all have a "peace corner," a special place where any child who needs to can retreat for time alone to calm down. "Sometimes they just need a break, a few moments alone," Reiter adds. "But you'll see a child who is really frustrated or upset go over to the peace corner and apply some strategies they've learned. The big lesson is to tune in and know what to do to care for yourself."