Dr. Sonia Tinsley Northeastern State University College of Education

Creating Good Character and a Positive Social & Emotional Environment

Emotional Health – Express emotions – Cope with stress, adversity, and success – Adapt to changes in themselves and their environment – Positive self-concept – Positive self-esteem – Higher level of emotional intelligence

Emotional Intelligence The ability to understand others and act wisely in human relations. – Know your emotions – Manage your emotions – Motivate yourself – Recognize emotions in others – Handle relationships

Characteristics of Mentally Healthy People?

Characteristics of Mentally Healthy People Accept themselves and others Like themselves Give and receive care, love, and support Express full range of emotions (positive and negative) Accepts life’s disappointments Accept their mistakes

Characteristics of Mentally Healthy People (cont.) Express empathy and concern for others Take care of themselves Trust others as well as themselves Establish goals Can function both independently and interdependently Lead a health-enhancing lifestyle

Ways to Create a Positive Social-Emotional Environment Social-emotional environment – the quality of the contacts a person has with the people with whom they interact. – Social-emotional boosters – Social-emotional pollutants

Strategies to Improve the Social-Emotional Environment Minimize contact with people who put you down Use positive self-statements if you are with a person/group who are negative Spend time with a mentor Join a support group Expand the network of people with whom you communicate needs, wants, and emotions Give others social- emotional boosters

Self-Esteem Attitudes and beliefs individuals hold about themselves and their judgments about their skills and abilities. Take An Inside Look at You!

Behaviors of children who have high self-esteem – Are proud of their accomplishments – Act independently – Assume responsibility easily – Tolerate frustration – Approach new challenges with enthusiasm – Feel capable of influencing others

Conditions of Self-Esteem Sense of connectiveness Sense of uniqueness Sense of power Sense of models

Sense of Connectiveness Feel a part of something Identify with a group Feel that they belong

Sense of Uniqueness Feel something is special about themselves Know that others feel they are special Feel they have skills that no one else does Respect themselves

Sense of Power Believe they can do what they set out to do Feel confident in their abilities Feel confident in making decisions

Sense of Models Feel confident they know wrong from right Consistent values and beliefs People worthy of being emulated