September
Name It to Tame It
This month we are learning how to identify and recognize our emotions to practice self-regulation. Denying or avoiding feelings doesn't make them go away, nor does it lessen their impact on us, even if it's unconscious. Noticing and naming emotions gives us the chance to take a step back and make choices about what to do with them.
This month we are learning how to identify and recognize our emotions to practice self-regulation. Denying or avoiding feelings doesn't make them go away, nor does it lessen their impact on us, even if it's unconscious. Noticing and naming emotions gives us the chance to take a step back and make choices about what to do with them.
Our emotional reflexes run deep (inside the brain), and change comes only with significant practice and patience. The practice is awareness: to get better at catching yourself. Labeling an emotion helps you create distance from it. From there, we can choose how to respond instead of being led by our strong emotions alone.
Our emotional reflexes run deep (inside the brain), and change comes only with significant practice and patience. The practice is awareness: to get better at catching yourself. Labeling an emotion helps you create distance from it. From there, we can choose how to respond instead of being led by our strong emotions alone.
To practice at home:
What does my body feel like? (Mind-Body Connection)
What emotion is at my door? (Name it)
What is the emotion telling me I need? (Tame it)
What do I need to do to send it away? (Identify need)
How can I calm down? (Self-regulation)
One calming technique we practiced is to Take 5. Have your child show you how to do this!
Books about emotions:
The Color Monster
The Crayon's Book of Feelings
My Many Colored Days
When Sophie Gets Angry - Really, Really Angry
Tough Guys (Have Feelings Too)
Visiting Feelings
An Emotional Menagerie
Dragons on the Inside
Some Days I Flip My Lid