With the increased number of students struggling with anxiety, School Districts are developing new programs and accessing resources to address the needs of their students. Bi-Tapp provides students of all ages with an in-the-moment resource to support nervous system regulation.

Teachers are often the first to help when a student becomes anxious, overwhelmed, or disruptive. In those moments, they need something they can access immediately to help the student regulate and return to learning. Bi-Tapp gives them that resource.

When Stress Escalates, Learning Stops

Teachers can typically manage mild distractions or disruptions while continuing to teach. But when a student becomes increasingly anxious, overwhelmed, or dysregulated, the situation can quickly demand the teacher’s full attention. Learning may stop—not only for that student, but for the entire classroom. In those moments, the teacher is no longer teaching; they are managing a crisis.

Having a resource that helps a student regulate in the moment can make am important difference. The sooner a student can settle their stress response, the sooner they—and the classroom—can continue to learning.

Regulation Helps Students Access the Skills They Already Know

Students are taught many skills to help them manage stress and big emotions in healthy ways. The challenge is that the more overwhelmed or dysregulated a student becomes, the more difficult it can be to remember—and use—the skills they have been taught.

This is where having an in-the-moment regulation resource can make a difference. Many schools are using Bi-Tapp to give students access to gentle bilateral tapping during moments of heightened stress and anxiety. If you are unfamiliar with bilateral tapping, think of alternating back and forth between your left and right sides—like tapping your hands alternately on your thighs or tapping your feet back and forth. With Bi-Tapp, you don’t have to do the tapping yourself. The tappers do the tapping for you.

Once a student is more regulated, they are better able to access the other skills they have learned and return their attention back to active learning.

Because the tappers are reusable, one Bi-tapp kit can support many students throughout the school year. An elementary student of 18 years stated, “Even I have used the tappers myself on the days I can tell my anxiety is higher than normal.”

Students are using Bi-Tapp to support:

• Emotional regulation
• Focus and attention
• Stress and anxiety reduction
• Mindfulness and other learned coping skills

 

I had the opportunity to interview Mr. Eric Bonnett, LCSW, School Social Worker for two elementary schools in Cedar City, Utah.

AS A SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER, WHAT IS YOUR PRIMARY FOCUS WITH STUDENTS?

“I help children who struggle with behaviors that interfere with their ability to learn. I am a therapist and I teach skill building in groups and in classrooms. We also teach ‘Zones of Regulation’, ‘Restorative Circles’, yoga, empathy and mindfulness skills.”

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO TRY THE TAPPERS OUT WITH YOUR STUDENTS?

“While working with youth in a residential treatment program, I became trained in EMDR therapy. I saw firsthand how using bilateral tapping as a resource could help someone regulate their emotions. Bilateral stimulation helps calm down the stress center of our brain.

I introduced Bi-Tapp to both of the schools I work at. We use the Bluetooth tappers in our Wellness Centers and during our reading groups. Many of our general classrooms and our special education classrooms have their own set of tappers, as well.”

HOW DID YOU INTRODUCE THE TAPPERS TO THE STUDENTS?

“When you first introduce the tappers to the students, there is a novelty about it. The students learn quickly what the tappers are and how they can be a resource for them. Once students realize that they have a tool that can help them calm down quickly or help them focus, they will often ask for the tappers when they need them.

In the classrooms, the teachers help their students use the tappers when they need help focusing on an their school work or calming down.

In the Wellness Centers, we let the tappers be checked out if there is a class taking a test and multiple students need to use the tappers to help them focus during the test. The tappers are a known resource in our schools, so the students can ask for them when they need them.”

HOW DO YOU KNOW THE STUDENTS ARE BENEFITING FROM THE TAPPERS?

“I can share an example. We had a couple of students struggling to complete one or two sheets of work and staying on task for more than 5 minutes. After setting them up with the tappers, they were able to work for 20 minutes straight and stay focused.”

HOW DID YOU FIND THE FUNDING FOR THE TAPPERS?

“Our School District provided funds to buy 15 Bi-Tapp kits. These were divided between East and North elementary schools in Cedar City, Utah. We were having so much success with them, that I reached out to our community. Safari Hospitality gave a generous donation that allowed us to purchase 27 more kits to use as a resource for our students.”

Helping Students Regulate and return to Learning

When students have access to a resource that helps them in the moment, they are better able to access the skills they have been taught, refocus their attention, and return to learning. Bi-Tapp gives schools a simple, reusable resource students can access when stress, anxiety, or big emotions begin to interfere with their ability to learn.

Go to bi-tapp.com to learn more about the tappers.