Promoting Emotional Health in Children Rhett McKenzie, MAMFC, LPC, NCC

Into the Woods –Sondheim and Lapine “Careful the things you say, Children will listen. Careful the things you do, Children will see. And learn. Children may not obey, But children will listen. Children will look to you For which way to turn, To learn what to be. Careful before you say, ‘Listen to me.’ Children will listen.”

Areas We’ll Address Understanding the Brain Not Behavior Focused Empathy Structure and Nurture Positive Reinforcement

Continued Areas See the Good Self Regulation Use Words Rupture and Repair

Understanding the Brain 3 Levels to Our Brain Emotional Brain Thinking Brain Development

Not Behavior Focused Behaviors Are Symptoms What is the Need? Be Relationship Focused

Empathy Feel What They Feel Talk Emotional Brain to Them Let Them See Your Emotions

Structure and Nurture Set Boundaries Enforce Boundaries Parental Consistency Love and Nurture

Positive Reinforcement Earning Privileges Rewarding Good Behavior A Bribe??? So What!!!

See The Good Look for Ways to Reward 5:1 Ratio Positive Focused

Self Regulation Teach Regulation Coping Skills Sensory Input

Use Words Build an Emotional Vocabulary Communication Skills Conflict Resolution

Rupture and Repair We’re Going to Make Mistakes Model Confession, Apology, Seek Forgiveness Helps in Brain Integration

Resources The Whole Brained Child by Dan Siegel The Connected Child by Karyn Purvis Parenting from the Inside Out by Dan Siegel Empoweredtoconnect.org