‘Tis the season for an uptick in student anxiety. The transition back to school doesn’t happen in one day. It takes a few weeks for teachers to teach routines and establish a strong classroom community. Teachers, guidance counselors, school administrators, office staff, and support staff in schools all play a role in helping students manage their anxiety during the process of separating from their caregivers, making new friends, and experiencing increased academic expectations. 

Moshi has many pieces of audio content that can help a whole class, a small group, or individual students. Before you get started, consider these points:

1. Some Moshi Meditations and Moments mention getting comfortable by sitting, laying down, or standing. Will students have this choice, or will you tell them what position they will be in? 
2. Reassure students that closing their eyes is optional. Other options include looking down at hands or floor, looking at a focal point on the wall, or looking at a focal point out the window. 
3. Set students up for success when the Moshi content is over by telling them what to expect with specific instructions. Will they be given one minute to sit quietly? Will they immediately move to the next activity?

Moshi for the Whole Class 

Short tracks that can be easily incorporated into the daily routine of a classroom:

• Ease Worries with Wallop – Learn how to use breathing, body focus, and mindful visualization to ease natural worries that come with big transitions and new adventures
• Calming SeaStar Breathing – Learn how to use imagery to focus on breathing as a way to calm down the body during transitions from one activity to the next
• No More Nerves with Ivy – Learn to gather your thoughts and calm jitters for staying calm in any situation
• Anxiety Shrinking Ambience – Music to play during transitions and independent work time that provides a soothing and calm environment

Moshi for Small Groups or Individuals 

Longer tracks that can be helpful for students who need a bit more time and focus in order to be ready for learning:

• ShiShi’s Soothing Anxiety Shrinker – Practice relaxing deep breathing, visualization, and self-affirmations
• Major Moony’s Cosmic Stressbuster – A guided relaxation that helps to ease worries and troubles 
• Cool Your Boots with Quincy – A guided meditation that helps transport anxious minds to peaceful places
• The Art of Being Apart with Linton – Ease anxiety about separating from caregivers and learn tips and tricks in this calming Moshi Moment
• 7 Days of Moshi Mindfulness – Learn the basics of Moshi Mindfulness during this seven-day series that teaches children how to notice how they feel

Subscribe to use these Moshi tracks and hundreds of more Meditations, Moments, Stories, and Music. Plus, free SEL lesson plans!

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And we know we’re a bit biased – so, instead, hear from someone who uses Moshi with their students about how Moshi Moments have helped with anxiety.

Meet Rosalie Roberts. Rosalie works as a guidance counselor in grades K-5 and is also a parent from Worthington, OH. She’s been using Moshi Stories at home for about two years as a regular part of her son’s bedtime routine because he was having a difficult time falling asleep and staying asleep. Now that they use Moshi, he falls asleep listening to the story and stays asleep all night.  

Moshi also helps her teach coping strategies to students in various contexts. In her role as a guidance counselor, she uses quick Moshi Moments to transition students from the schoolwork they were doing with their classroom teacher to her guidance lesson. This helps the students reset and focus. She also uses Moshi with individual students who need one-on-one support with difficult things like separation anxiety and regaining self-control. 

Earlier this year, a second-grader was experiencing separation anxiety from their mother. This little one was in her guidance office, crying during the morning. Rosalie played the Moshi Moment specifically about being away from someone you love, The Art of Being Apart with Linton. The student continued crying, but then started looking at her, kind of stopped crying, and seemed to be leaning in to hear the story. They listened to it twice and the second time,  he stopped crying and was fully listening to it. He successfully calmed down and made it back to his second-grade classroom.  Rosalie talked to mom about Moshi, how it helped alleviate the separation anxiety and how she uses it for her son at home. The mother of the student was actually looking for resources like Moshi –  Roslie expressed she is grateful to be able to talk about Moshi as a resource for families.

“Moshi has helped my students reset, especially during the school if something has triggered their fight/flight/flee response.  I have found that Moshi Moments have allowed my students to calm down their hearts, minds, and bodies. It would be amazing to automatically build this program into the school day so it becomes the ‘norm.’  So many students would benefit from learning these skills and it would allow us to take a proactive versus reactive approach.  In these stressful times, I believe this mental health support would have a positive effect on my school community.”

Contact our Moshi for Schools team at allison.henry@moshikids.com to create a plan to bring Moshi to your entire school community.

Allison Henry