New Program at Edwardsville Elementary School Helps Students Regulate Emotions
EDWARDSVILLE - Students at Columbus Elementary School in Edwardsville are learning how to regulate their emotions with the new Jaguar Den.
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Jamie Unger, the school psychologist, worked together with Principal Cole Kringlen to open the Jaguar Den, a room with sensory stations, fidget toys and more. The goal is to help kids who are experiencing big emotions to reset and return to class ready to learn.
“It’s just one more tool in our Columbus toolbox,” Kringlen said. “[Students] know they can just do a quick check-in at the Jaguar Den, get what they need, hopefully, and get back to class and have a great rest of their day.”
The school implemented the Jaguar Den a few weeks ago. Kringlen and Unger agree that the space has been helpful to students in both the general and special education programs.
All Columbus teachers have a Jaguar Den pass. Teachers can give the pass to a dysregulated student, or students can ask for the pass themselves. Students then check in at the Jaguar Den by writing down the emotion they’re feeling and what happened to trigger that emotion.
The students turn on a timer for 10 minutes and can spend that time sitting quietly, playing with sensory or fidget toys, or coloring. These “regulation stations” encourage the students to calm down.
Unger is in the space and can step in if a child needs more guidance, as well. She then helps them check out and sends them back to class.
As a psychologist, Unger is interested in helping kids regulate their emotions and build resilience. She emphasized that the Jaguar Den isn’t an excuse to miss class, but a chance for students to regulate and build these emotional skills.
“We’re coming here to regulate our bodies and then get back to class,” she explained. “I’m able to really work with them on regulating their bodies and getting them back and being ready, so teaching them, in real time, those skills. I’m hoping that then, the next time, they may not even have to come to the Jaguar Den. Maybe they can just take what they’ve learned and use it in the classroom. That’s a big key too, teaching them those skills so that they can bring them and use them in other places, not just in this room.”
Unger said she welcomes between three and five students a day. Last week, after a stormy night, she saw several kids who simply needed “a recharge” because they hadn’t slept well. She has enjoyed getting to know students who she might not otherwise encounter.
Kringlen expressed his appreciation for Unger and her “innovative” approach to helping students. He noted that there are several reasons why kids might feel challenging emotions or need a moment to reset, and both Kringlen and Unger are proud they can provide this space for students to breathe and reengage.
“Our district’s mission is to empower every student to be successful…We want kids at school because they want to be at school, they want to learn, and they’re excited to be here,” Kringlen added. “It’s very beneficial to our kids, and we’re very lucky that our kids have an opportunity just to reset.”
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