Here is a story from what could appear to be the "weird news" file: foot massages at schools. However, despite all its weirdness, the idea of foot massages to help calm disruptive students makes sense to me.
In Lambeth council in south London, foot massages using reflexology therapy has been given to disruptive students under the age of 13 to help them calm down, improve listening skills, improve concentration, and relieve anxiety according to a story in the Guardian.co.uk.
The therapy costing £90,000 next year will be offered by therapists from Bud-Umbrella, a London based charity that specializes in complementary therapies to adults and children.
This controversial therapy makes sense to me because as a substitute teacher I know how difficult it can be to deal with "disruptive behavior." If a complementary therapy can help children manage emotional and behavioral issues at school, why not try it out as long as the parents agree to the program.
Not everyone agrees with the new therapy program. Are the results worth the cost of the therapy?
According to the Guardian.co.uk, a spokesman for the Lambeth council says, "There has been a 50% increas in attendance and 60% decrease in exclusions among young people involved in the programme."
We'll have to wait and see how the program works over time. The reflexology won't replace traditional methods to deal with behavior issues.
As a parent and as a substitute teacher I can imagine that the new therapy program would benefit all students. Hope another school district will try this out too.
