Calm Bootcamp

Calm Bootcamp with Ciara Lynch is an EPV-approved online summer course for Irish primary teachers. It explores ways to manage stress, support emotional regulation and build a calmer classroom using approaches that teachers can apply for themselves and share with children.

Who is this course for?

The course is designed for primary school teachers. Its content may also be useful for special needs assistants, childcare practitioners and parents who support children’s emotional wellbeing.

What will teachers learn?

• How stress and anxiety affect the brain, body and nervous system
• Ways to recognise stress and use coping skills to reduce it
• Breathing exercises, mindful movement and body-awareness activities
• Kindfulness, self-compassion and techniques for reframing negative thoughts
• Ideas for supporting emotional regulation and creating a calm, positive learning environment
• How sleep, nutrition, exercise, time management and goal setting influence wellbeing

Course modules

Stress and Anxiety

Explore stress, anxiety and emotions, including the effects of stress on the brain and nervous system. Learn calming strategies and ways to introduce age-appropriate reframing techniques in the classroom.

Kindfulness and CBT

Develop tools for self-compassion, managing negative thoughts and building empathy. This module also considers how kindfulness can support a positive classroom climate.

Body Awareness and Mindful Movement

Use breathing, body scans, progressive muscle relaxation, mindful movement, gratitude and affirmations to build awareness and support regulation.

Building the Wellbeing Well

Bring coping skills together through goal setting, support systems and positive habits connected with sleep, exercise, nutrition and time outdoors.

Let’s Get Moving

Explore stretches, movement, focus activities, personal space, assertiveness and further calming techniques for adults and children.

Online EPV summer course

Calm Bootcamp is delivered online by Anokha Learning and takes 20 hours to complete. Eligible primary teachers can receive three EPV days after successfully completing the course requirements.

About Ciara Lynch

Ciara is a primary school teacher with more than 12 years’ experience across mainstream and learning-support settings. Her qualifications include Psychology, Counselling and Psychotherapy, and Play Therapy. She is also trained as a sensory and proprioceptive activities facilitator and mindfulness practitioner.