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Dealing with Feelings:
Raising Emotionally Healthy
Kids
A Message to Educators
In
today's schools, educators are often confronted with the challenge of
dealing with children who are unable to express their feelings in
socially appropriate ways. Bullying, fighting, arguing, and disrespect
are all hallmarks of the unhealthy display of emotions. These problems
plague today's classrooms and schoolyards and can prevent teachers
from getting on with the business of teaching children.
Can you
imagine the value
of a program that teaches kids socially acceptable ways of dealing
with such negative emotions as anger, sadness, and jealousy? If we
could get children to talk about emotions, even negative ones, without
fear of repercussion, the incidence of "acting out" would be greatly
reduced.
As an
educator who is very concerned about the healthy social and emotional
development of children, I highly recommend "Dealing with Feelings:
Raising Emotionally Healthy Kids" as a tool for helping students to
deal with feelings and for teaching them ways to handle this often
difficult area of their lives.
Many
children are discouraged
from
expressing themselves by parents and teachers who are, themselves,
uncomfortable with this aspect of their lives. However, as teachers,
we are required to teach our students about feelings and to provide
resources that can empower them to express their emotions. Language
Arts, Health, and Arts Education, for example, offer great
opportunities to provide these resources.
“Dealing with Feelings” is an especially valuable resource. It is easy
to follow and provides a framework for parents and educators that
makes sense in the context of children's experiences at school.
I have used this program with several classes of children, and their responses were highly
favorable. The students loved hearing the story and participating in
the follow-up activities. It gave them a voice and enabled them to
share parts of their lives that may not easily be expressed without
such a guide. The story is engaging, and it triggered very powerful
discussions.
Use "Dealing with Feelings" and, as an educator, you will learn a
great deal about your students. This program is a must in today's
elementary classrooms.
Jackie Eldridge Ed.D.
University
of Toronto
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