We all have all emotions. Emotions are amazing. They serve us well. They allow us to meet our needs, strive for our wants, share, help, value, emote, create and explore. Emotions work best when we express them in expected ways. Strong emotions are best explored in small groups, such as with family, close friends and shared interest groups. They also serve us best in exhilarating environments such as amusement parks, festivals, parties, and indoor creative play areas such as laser tag. In large group settings, such as schools, leisure centres, libraries, restaurants, theatres, dance troops, sports teams, it is best to stay in a neutral emotion space. Mindful practices can help us control our strong emotions so that we can be an effective member of a group. When we live in the moment, we are controlling our strong emotions. When we are at swim lessons, we are thinking about swim lessons. When we are in math class we are thinking about math. When we are watching a thrilling movie at the theatre, we are thinking about the movie. Often when our mind wanders away from the immediate plan, that is when we may feel a strong emotion overtaking the moment. Think about a time that you were working in a group, and your mind started remembering a problem you had with a friend at recess. You may start feeling a strong emotion and become reactive, bumpy or angry while working on your immediate task. People may start feeling uncomfortable around you, reinforcing the strong negative feelings you experienced with your friend. This is the perfect time to use a strategy. Acknowledge the strong emotion. "I am feeling sad that my friend ditched me at recess." Then remind yourself to be in the moment. "I need to focus on math right now." Use a strategy to accomplish your goal of being expected in group settings. :"I am going to take a drink from my water bottle, take a few deep breaths, and put my math hat back on." Remind yourself of the WHY. "I am going to put my math hat on, and deal with my friend issue later. I can ask my teacher for help when she is not busy. When I follow the group plan I have more friends and when I have more friends I feel good."
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AuthorI am Lauren Purkiss, teacher at Prince of Wales School. I work out of Room 10 as Lead teacher for the Bridges Program as well as a Learning Leader for the school population. I have three children of my own, two boys ages 24 and 21, as well as my daughter, 16. My passion is to support our reluctant learners and their families. My door is always open. Come for a visit anytime. Archives
June 2018
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