Helping Parents : How to help struggling kids
Helping Parents
How to help struggling kids
Where Do I Start?
Parents are often the first to recognize when their child has an emotional or behavioral problem. But even if it's your child's teacher who informs you of a potential challenge, when working with your child's emotional pain,your approach is the key. Start by gently engaging your child in a dialogue about his or her feelings. When listening to your child, try to rephrase then repeat back what he or she is saying. Avoid giving advice or criticizing, but rather focus on feelings with an empathetic tone. You might try saying, "It sounds like you feel angry because _____." Sometimes kids simply need to feel heard. When you allow your child to freely express his or her thoughts and provide a non-judgmental attitude, he or she will feel encouraged to open up.
Then What Do I Do?
Once your child opens up you can help identify the problem and work towards finding a solution, but always let your child take the lead in problem solving. When brainstorming for a solution, try writing it down. When your child is able to visually see it on paper, the discovery towards a solution will become more real to him or her. To find the most appropriate solution, offer to role-play the problem and possible solution for each choice. Discuss the consequences associated with every choice. This mode of self-discovery will help your child feel in control of the problem, the solution and his or her own emotional state.
Shared by Cammy Onek, District Curriculum/Instruction/Assessment, At-Risk and Guidance programs
