HOW TO STAY CALM & FOCUSED AT SCHOOL : THE WILL BYERS TRICK

STEP 1 — IDENTIFY LEARNING MOMENTS WHEN AN ANCHOR HELPS

Sensory anchors are especially useful during:

• starting homework
• staying focused in class
• reading long texts
• doing math problems
• test anxiety
• transitions between subjects
• noisy classrooms
• frustration during difficult tasks
• morning routine or school drop-off

If the child struggles with starting, sticking with, or finishing school tasks — an anchor helps.

STEP 2 — CHOOSE THE SENSE THAT HELPS THE BRAIN LEARN BEST

Each child learns differently.

Ask: “What helps your brain feel calmer to learn?”

Pick one:

• Touch → grounding
• Sound → rhythm + focus
• Movement → resets attention
• Sight → visual stability
• Repetition → mental organization

This is their “Will Byers channel.”

STEP 3 — PICK A SCHOOL-FRIENDLY SENSORY ANCHOR

Here are simple, classroom-safe options.

TOUCH (for grounding during math, writing, or tests)

• a smooth stone in the pocket
• a small textured object
• a stress ball used under the desk
• a fidget but not noisy

SOUND (for reading or homework)

• quiet instrumental music
• white noise
• calm playlist
• noise-cancelling headphones at home

MOVEMENT (for kids who concentrate better while moving)

• tapping feet softly
• squeezing hands
• chair rocking bands
• standing breaks every few minutes

SIGHT (for visual focus)

• looking at a fixed point during explanations
• placing a calm picture on the desk
• using highlighters to guide reading

REPETITION (for memory & stress)

• drawing shapes before starting homework
• tracing lines when anxious
• repeating a grounding gesture (press palms together)

All of these help the brain stay in “learning mode.”

STEP 4 — PRACTICE BEFORE SCHOOL TASKS, NOT DURING MELTDOWNS

The anchor works best when a child uses it:

• right before starting homework
• right before a test
• right before reading
• right before math
• right before entering a noisy classroom

It prepares the brain the same way athletes warm up.

STEP 5 — TURN IT INTO A SIMPLE LEARNING RITUAL

Kids thrive on small routines.

Examples:

• “Before math, I touch my bracelet for 3 seconds.”
• “Before reading, I trace a shape on my paper.”
• “Before homework, I listen to 30 seconds of calm music.”
• “Before a test, I squeeze my hands to release stress.”

A predictable ritual = a calm and ready brain.

STEP 6 — LET THE CHILD PERSONALIZE THEIR SCHOOL ANCHOR

The anchor should feel like theirs.

Let them choose:

• the object
• the texture
• the motion
• the color
• the ritual

The more personal it feels, the stronger the focus effect.

STEP 7 — CHECK WEEKLY WHAT HELPS THEM LEARN BETTER

Ask:

• “Did your anchor help you concentrate?”
• “Was it easy to use in class or during homework?”
• “Do you want to keep this one or try something new?”

Some kids need sound.

Some need touch.

Some need movement.

Some need a mix.

It’s a learning experiment — like Will discovering what keeps him grounded.