For the Classroom
Experiential Session for Schools
featuring Ravi, The Regulating Dog
This experiential session is designed to introduce students, educators, and staff to the principles of BIC-Adventure Therapy with a focus on practical self-regulation techniques and emotional well-being. The session will feature Ravi, our therapy dog, as an interactive and engaging example of how self-regulation can be modeled and learned. Participants will experience hands-on activities that enhance emotional regulation, teamwork, and self-awareness.
The Teachers’ Experiment:
This is a practical experiment where students will observe in real time how everyone (including Teachers) struggles to employ higher functioning thoughts and make decisions, such as simple mathematics, when in a dysregulated state.
The Regulation Game:
Introduction game for everyone to gently experience their own internal and external responses to thoughts and questions.
Guided Breathing Exercise with Ravi:
Ravi will demonstrate how deep, controlled breathing calms him in a stimulating environment. Students will practice slow breathing alongside Ravi, noticing how his calm behaviour helps them stay focused and relaxed.
Emotional Identification Exercise:
Students will be invited to observe Ravi’s responses to different cues (e.g., excitement vs. calm) and identify their own emotions in response to stimuli. By watching how Ravi self-regulates, students can learn to recognize and manage their emotional states.
Team Problem-Solving Challenge:
Students will work together on a problem-solving challenge, such as leading Ravi through an obstacle course. The task requires cooperation, clear communication, and trust between participants. Ravi’s participation adds an element of fun and engagement while reinforcing teamwork and regulation principles.
Linking Regulation to Performance (Optional and age appropriate)
Teaching about the relationship between stress and performance and identifying the optimal level of performance (Yerkes-Dodson law), also conversations on the difference between life-enhancing anxiety, anxiety-avoidant, anxiety and healthy responses regarding regulation.
Group Reflection with Ravi:
Participants will reflect on their key takeaways from the session, such as how Ravi’s calm demeanor influenced their ability to regulate emotions or collaborate effectively. The group will discuss ways to integrate these tools into school life.
Further Mental Health Conversations
BIC- Adventure Therapy can tailor the content to address the schools’ goals regarding specific challenges.