Worldmind Student Life Cycle

for Elementary & Middle School Students

  • Initial Adjustment (Anxiety and/or Honeymoon Phase)

    Students often experience signs of anxiety and uncertainty and/or a temporary uplift in mood and engagement.

  • The Journey of Unmasking

    Unmasking is a critical and often challenging phase where students gradually shed protective layers. An escalation in Stage 1 behaviors is often seen both in school and at home.

  • Embracing Self-Acceptance & Understanding Others

    A pivotal point in the students' journey, often marked by significant struggle. Students may show resistance to attending school during this phase.

  • Achieving Self-Acutalization

    The ultimate goal is for Worldmind students to be well-equipped to interact with the world around them in a confident, understanding, and empathetic manner.

Inital Adjustment

(Anxiety and/or Honeymoon Phase)

Duration: 1-2 months

This initial stage is a common experience for all new students at Worldmind. It involves a period of adjustment where students often exhibit signs of anxiety and uncertainty. Key behaviors observed during this phase include eloping (trying to run away from school), masking (concealing true emotions or traits), roaming (aimless movement), and keen observation of surroundings. Students may also erect emotional barriers, which can manifest as harsh, aggressive language or physical actions like hitting or pushing.

This stage can also look like a honeymoon phase where students feel seen and heard, often experiencing a temporary uplift in mood and engagement.

The Journey of Unmasking

Duration: 2-10 months

(Varies based on individual trauma and extent of prior masking)

The unmasking process is a critical and often challenging phase, where students gradually shed their protective layers. This period can vary significantly in length, depending on each student's unique experiences and the extent of their previous masking. During this time, there is usually an escalation in the behaviors identified in Stage 1, both in school and at home environments. As students explore their authentic selves, they often test boundaries extensively to gauge if they will still be accepted and loved for who they truly are.

Embracing Self-Acceptance and Understanding Others

Duration: 6-18 months (post-unmasking phase)

This stage represents a pivotal point in the students' journey, often marked by significant struggle. It's not uncommon for students to show resistance to attending school during this phase. The duration of this stage can range from six months to a year and a half, and it typically follows the unmasking process. The challenge for neurodiverse students here lies in not only accepting themselves but also in understanding and appreciating the diversity in others. Recognizing and respecting that everyone is different and has unique needs can be a particularly daunting task for some students.

Achieving Self-Actualization

Ultimate Goal at Worldmind

The final stage, and the ultimate goal for students at Worldmind, is reaching a state of self-actualization. This stage is characterized by students having a profound understanding of themselves, their place in the world, and their ability to navigate various situations effectively. They also develop a deep appreciation for the diversity in others, embracing and respecting differences.

Achieving self-actualization means students are well-equipped to interact with the world around them in a confident, understanding, and empathetic manner.