Welcome to Monday Email #12
Twelve emails in and the whole world has changed completely. Unfortunately, this is not due to the content of my emails but it sounds impressive! This week's content includes app recommendations, a library of activities for inclusion and why having one thought is hilarious right now.
One Strategy for Behaviour
Anxious children need to be exposed to numerous strategies to find what works for them. Like adults, some children will cope with anxiety through yoga, meditation or journaling (full article on this here) or perhaps they would benefit from more implicit strategies like exercise, engaging in hobbies or reducing screen-time.
One app which can let children try out mindfulness for free in a child-friendly format is the app "Mindful Gnats". This app provides relaxation exercises, breathing exercises, body scans and more through an attractive interface which may encourage children to adopt meditation as a regular practice.
Android Version available here.
Apple Store Version available here.
One Strategy for Inclusion
We don't always need to reinvent the wheel. It is about knowing where to go to find the best advice and then learning from the experts. I often rely on the advice and guidance which Enable Ireland gives. They provide services for children of all ages with disabilities and their resources are always of a high standard.
Their therapists and clinical experts have created a resource bank of videos for parents to keep up with physiotherapy exercises, speech and language activities or occupational therapy routines.
The full playlist is free and available to look through here.
Some of my favourite videos on the playlist are:
One Thought
The heading "one thought" makes me laugh at the minute. The nature of the global shift might mean I'm not alone in having millions of thoughts, emotions and ideas that vary from dizzying highs of positivity to desperate lows of anxiety.
And that is the nature of my "one thought" today.
As we persist in moving forward and strive to support our students, children, friends and family, the need to listen and be understanding has probably never been higher.
Yes, we need to strive to maintain a routine and exude confidence to children that things will improve to protect them. (Article here)
We also, however, have to allow them to express their emotions and let them know it is okay to be upset and worried at times. If you've ever been truly upset, there is nothing worse than someone telling you not to worry or to look on the bright side at that exact moment.
We should allow for the expression of the emotion and avoid isolating them by demonstrating your own positivity or encouraging them to suppress it. We just need to let them experience the emotion, listen to them and be there for them. When the pressure has built to a certain point, there is a need for them to relieve it and process it.
It is when the wave has passed and they have had the chance to vent that we can start to encourage and implement our strategies to promote well-being and positive mental health.
If you have read to this point, you must have found something of note here. I'd appreciate you sharing this email or the contents of it by screenshots, forwarding, social media or any means necessary and send people to www.behaviour101.com to get their own. Thanks for the support.
Behave yourself,
Barry
P.S My latest article on what the Ancient Toltecs can teach us about behaviour is available here.
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