Summary:
De-escalation Phrases for Teachers
"I understand you're feeling (frustrated, angry, etc.) right now. Let's talk about what's going on." (Validates feelings)
"It seems like something's bothering you. Would you be willing to share what's going on?" (Opens the door for communication)
"I see you're having a hard time with this. What can I do to help you?" (Offers support and focuses on solutions)
"Let's take a deep breath together. Sometimes it helps to calm down before we talk." (Promotes relaxation)
"I know you're capable of making better choices. Let's work together to find a way to move forward." (Emphasizes student's ability and teamwork)
"I appreciate you coming to me about this. Let's figure out a plan to prevent this from happening again." (Encourages communication and problem-solving)
"It's okay to feel (angry, upset, etc.) but it's not okay to (act out, disrespect others, etc.)." (Sets clear boundaries)
"What do you think would be a more helpful way to handle this situation?" (Promotes student ownership and problem-solving)
"I'm here to support you. We'll get through this together." (Reassures and provides encouragement)
"Let's take a break from this right now. Come back to me when you're ready to talk." (Offers a time out for de-escalation)
"It seems like something's bothering you. Would you be willing to share what's going on?" (Opens the door for communication)
"I see you're having a hard time with this. What can I do to help you?" (Offers support and focuses on solutions)
"Let's take a deep breath together. Sometimes it helps to calm down before we talk." (Promotes relaxation)
"I know you're capable of making better choices. Let's work together to find a way to move forward." (Emphasizes student's ability and teamwork)
"I appreciate you coming to me about this. Let's figure out a plan to prevent this from happening again." (Encourages communication and problem-solving)
"It's okay to feel (angry, upset, etc.) but it's not okay to (act out, disrespect others, etc.)." (Sets clear boundaries)
"What do you think would be a more helpful way to handle this situation?" (Promotes student ownership and problem-solving)
"I'm here to support you. We'll get through this together." (Reassures and provides encouragement)
"Let's take a break from this right now. Come back to me when you're ready to talk." (Offers a time out for de-escalation)
"De-escalation isn't about winning an argument, it's about building a bridge to understanding and finding a way forward together."
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