C I R C L E PRAC TI C E
are typically unaware of how much stress
impacts their actions and thoughts. Many
schools have become places without much
joy. The structure of the circle process helps
us to slow down and reduce that stress, mak-
ing schools a place where joy is possible.
kind of space. The talking piece slows down
dialog to create a more reflective and less
reactive interaction among participants.
Participants do not have to be quick with
their words. They can take the time to pull
thoughts together, accessing more com-
plex thinking.
Circle is Optimal for Delivering
Social-Emotional Skills
In that SLOW DOWN students and educa-
tors can breathe more deeply, become
more aware of what is going on inside
themselves, and respond to whatever is
said more thoughtfully and with greater
depth and insight. Anxiety decreases and
clear reasoning increases. A high school
math teacher found after his first circle that
it slowed everything down and significantly
decreased the math anxiety his students
were experiencing. Reduced anxiety is not
just healthier and more pleasant, it supports
more efficient learning.
Circle practice is also an extremely efficient
way to deliver social-emotional learning.
Every circle, regardless of its purpose (cel-
ebration, learning, community building,
healing, or conflict resolution), is building
social-emotional skills. The slower pace of
circle helps participants be more aware of
their own internal dialog—the feelings and
thoughts going through them. Because
participants cannot speak without the talk-
ing piece, less of the brain is tied up think-
ing about what to say in response to the
current speaker and more of the brain is
available to listen and notice the internal
dialog of self.
All too often stress is shaping the behavior
of both educators and students, and both
“
When a participant has the talking piece,
they have the time to put feelings and
thoughts into words without rushing, in-
creasing their ability to notice and articulate
feelings. In the collective process partici-
pants get to hear others talk about feelings
which expands the vocabulary of the listen-
ers and imagery for expressing their own
feelings. Hearing the feelings of others in-
creases empathy as long as the listener does
Every circle, regardless
of its purpose (celebra-
tion, learning, commu-
nity building, healing,
or conflict resolution),
is building social-
emotional skills.
”
CSEE Connections
Continues on page 20
Winter 2019
Page 19