MTSS/SEFEL Tier II Supports Training Module 3: Being Mindful When Communicating with Families

Self-Awareness: Being Mindful When Communicating with Families

Objectives The Learner will: Understand what it means to be mindful

Objectives The Learner will: Receive strategies for being mindful when communicating with families Photo by: Ed Yourdon https://www.flickr.com/photos/yourdon/9318455137

Objectives The Learner will: Select a specific strategy to implement when communicating with families

Pre-Learning

Mindfulness Is:

Mindfulness to Reduce Bias “A decade of research indicates that mindfulness and compassion practices assist in raising awareness of our emotions and sensations in a given moment, regulating emotional responses and specifically reducing anxiety, increasing empathy and perspective-taking, and increasing overall gratitude and well-being. This all suggests that mindfulness and compassion practices may be important to creating the general conditions that support minimizing bias” Magee, 2015.

A way of BEING rather than DOING Mindfulness Paying Attention on purpose Being In the Moment Suspending Judgment A way of BEING rather than DOING Source: www.mindfulnet.org

Jasmine’s Day- Take 1

Communication is a two-way street

Jasmine’s Day- Take 2

Components of Mindfulness Primary Components Attitude Attention Intention (Shapiro et al., 2006)

Insert video: Parent Conference Tier II M3V1 (https://youtu.be/y9srPFbpQ2w) (4:10)

Challenging parents or challenging issues?

Mindfulness Practice is Grounded in: Non-judgment Acceptance Trust Patience Curiosity (Bishop et al.2004)

Insert video: Parent-Teacher Conference Tier II M3V2

Ways to Practice Mindful Communication Ask ‘What’ questions Show empathy Know when to listen mindfully Competence comes with practice Don’t give up too quickly Don’t expect to always arrive at the same conclusion Add citation

Ask ‘What’ Questions The purpose: To gather information To express interest Not to confront or push your agenda Listen to the full message, without interrupting. The message sent: “I am interested in hearing your story.” Example: What happened? What would help? What have you found to work at home?

Show Empathy The message sent: I care about how you feel. The purpose: Connect with a feeling Match voice and facial expression to match feeling The message sent: I care about how you feel. Example: “Susie said her grandmother is in the hospital. That must be difficult for you.”

Know When to Listen Mindfully Be aware of your own mood and feelings when listening Separate yourself from your own problems and agenda Be able to listen with acceptance Be genuinely able to listen

Competence Comes with Practice Practice the skills with others

Don’t Give Up Too Quickly It might take time to help parents realize: You really do want to understand You are accepting of their perceptions

Don’t Expect to Always Arrive at the Same Conclusion or Solution Be prepared for the times when a solution or conclusion is not reached Be willing to compromise Be willing to reconsider Remain calm

Insert video: Family Night Tier II M3V3 https://youtu.be/Qamxu3pdJf8 https://youtu.be/dp4u3zHabJg (3:28)

Communicating with Families About Challenging Behaviors

Implementing Mindful Communication

Mindfulness to Reduce Bias “A decade of research indicates that mindfulness and compassion practices assist in raising awareness of our emotions and sensations in a given moment, regulating emotional responses and specifically reducing anxiety, increasing empathy and perspective-taking, and increasing overall gratitude and well-being. This all suggests that mindfulness and compassion practices may be important to creating the general conditions that support minimizing bias” Magee, 2015.

I have come to a frightening conclusion I have come to a frightening conclusion. I am the decisive element in the classroom. It is my personal approach that creates the climate. It is my daily mood that makes the weather. As a teacher, I possess tremendous power to make a child’s life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration. I can humiliate or humor. Hurt or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated and a child humanized or dehumanized. – Haim Ginott