Supporting Kids and Supporting Ourselves Amy Ruona-Banister MSW PPS Student Services Department aruona@pps.net

How? 1. Take care of ourselves Sleep Stress Stall Sated 2. Be honest with ourselves and each other 3. Identify our own patterns of behavior and make changes to the negative patterns 4. Identify our program’s “patterns of behavior” and make changes

kids brains

Neurons/Brain Cells 83 % Not Yet Connected- Waiting for Experiences Brain Development Neurons/Brain Cells 83 % Not Yet Connected- Waiting for Experiences

New connections increase the potential for learning. Brain Development Synaptic Pruning 14 Year Old Brain 6 Year Old Brain Newborn Birth- Neuron # is set but few synaptic connections have been made- primal 6 years old-Synaptic connections increase dramatically 14 years old- Unused connections are pruned- used synapses are strengthened New connections increase the potential for learning. .

Developmental Needs The Need for Physical Activity. The Need for Competence and Achievement. The Need for Self-Definition. The Need for Creative Expression. The Need for Positive Social Interaction. The Need for Structure and Clear Limits. The Need for Meaningful Participation.

Bottom line…You are integral in building the Executive Functions of the Brain* Goal setting/problem solving Planning a project Inhibitory control Simon Says/Red Light Green Light Connect 4 Working memory Songs or poems Cognitive flexibility Practicing perspective taking Apples to Apples Coordinating feeling and thinking Feedback form/Making an appointment Reasoning/Judgment/Decision making Monopoly

Developing executive functioning skills Crosswalk Developing executive functioning skills Goal setting/problem solving Inhibitory control Working memory Cognitive flexibility Coordinating feeling and thinking Reasoning, judgement, decision making Facts about a Program Following directions Waiting Transitions Interacting in a multi-age group Taking turns with games and activities Managing emotions

How can Our program be a place of joy and growth?

Promoting Positive Behaviors Clear Expectations Teach the skills you expect Communication, problem solving, self soothing Model the behavior you want to see What are you doing (purpose) and why (outcomes) Understanding the negative behaviors Seeking undue attention/Lack of choices/seeking power Reinforce positive behaviors Thank you for…I noticed that…

Empathy versus sympathy video clip

The Vibe Attentive and Interactive/Thinking Brain Positive endorphins/dopamine Attentive and Interactive/Thinking Brain Negative increase cortisol Survival Mode/Emotional Brain

How do we keep it positive?* Engage don’t Enrage Connect and Redirect Name it To Tame it *From the work of Dan Siegel

Engage don’t Enrage*Adapted from Dan Seigal “Downstairs” brain is activated and it is hard to think clearly Point and gently guide to pre-identified space Give some space (considering safety) Engage calmly and possibly without words Emphasize empathy

Connect and Redirect*Dan Segal Communication Connect and Redirect*Dan Segal Connect with the right Touch Tone of voice Facial expressions Empathy THEN… Redirect with the left Solutions Words Planning Logical Explanations Boundaries

Name it- To Tame IT*Dan Siegal When everyone is calm… Brainstorm list of feeling words Listen carefully Reflect Back

Remember…to use our own pfc and… Communication Remember…to use our own pfc and… Do we model listening? “Say more” Do you need some time to think about it? Relationship builds receptivity When someone feels heard- they stop focusing their efforts on the counter-argument Stop exercising the “argue muscle” and the lecture. Let them have the last word Try “motivational interviewing” Empathize, Find Discrepancy, Roll with Resistance, Efficacy to make the change

Power Struggles…Proactive instead of Reactive Can’t make you do it- but really need your help. Then do it together Effective feedback 10 words or less- 1 is best! Legos…backpack…pens…floor Use your visuals Point to the MAC board Decide what you WILL do with kindness always present We will hand out snack when you are seated

break

Not every child will let you know when they are overwhelmed… ”Ghost Mentoring” can help with the connection to those kids

Most Challenging Times? Waiting in Line Cleaning up Playground Snack Time Transitions “Homework Time”

Teach and model the skills we want to see through practicing and visual aids

Extra Engagement Jobs Music Reading Aloud I spy 10 words that being with ___ Tongue Twisters Simon Says 2 things at once… Finger- knitting

Structure and Free Time- not mutually exclusive

What programs already exist in the school and how can I tap into them? Mind Up Second Step Kelso’s Wheel Collaborative Problem Solving Good Behavior Game Ask your school counselor or administrator what pro-social skills they teach at your school.

Other Resources… If he’s having a hard time in your program following directions chances are… Check in with site supervisor- find out best way to connect with his teacher IEPs

Changing Behavior Using Skills Behavior of concern/What are they doing that is making us crazy? How can we change the behavior/stop the fighting? We need to teach the skills needed to change the behavior What is the replacement behavior/what do we want them to do instead in this situation?

Problem Solving proactive versus reactive What is the problem? What is our goal? What are some solutions? Evaluate them? Safe? Fair? How would people feel? Would it work? Choose a solution and use it Check back in

Develop Our Own New Habits… When you have a moment without demands, think about your interactions Cues will remain the same, responses need to change, how will I reward myself so I keep doing it? After 1 negative interaction, remind myself that I owe 3 positive interactions Put a rubber band on my wrist as a reminder

Connecting PBIS and Building Brains Clear expectations expressed through modeling, teaching, practicing, and visuals Program-wide acknowledgement system for students to get positive feedback for the behaviors we want to see Ratio of Interactions where positive outweighs negative and relationships are built Using our resources

Find Your Team Something you want to try What needs to happen? Who is responsible for follow-through? How will we check back in? What special skills does your team have?