To get young kids to thrive in school, we need to do more than teach them how to read and write -- we need to teach them how to manage their emotions, says educator Olympia Della Flora. In this practical talk, she shares creative tactics she used to help struggling, sometimes disruptive students -- things like stopping for brain breaks, singing songs and even doing yoga poses -- all with her existing budget and resources. "Small changes make huge differences, and it's possible to start right now ... You simply need smarter ways to think about using what you have, where you have it," she says.

Olympia Della Flora: Creative ways to get kids to thrive in school

Creative ways to get kids to thrive in school

Emotional intelligence in students is pivotal. A principal transformed a failing school by integrating coping strategies and humor.

Small changes like brain breaks and flexible seating can significantly improve student behavior and academic performance.

By addressing students' emotional needs early, we can potentially divert them from paths leading to juvenile detention and expulsion.