Tips on Social Emotional Learning: Self-Management

 

Today we wanted to share information on Self-Management, another one of the 8 critical areas of importance for well-being.  As noted in our earlier emails, studies show that developing and nurturing these skills in our children can help them become happy, productive, and successful adults as they appreciate how to think and act in stressful or challenging situations.

Here is some information about Self-Management and how to use the “Psych Yourself Up” strategy to keep things positive at home:  Self Management Info & Tips

Keep In Mind:   Two factors that go a long way toward helping young people stay with an activity long enough to truly practice their Self-Management skills are adult modeling and the “fun factor.”

Here are some creative ways to promote and encourage Self-Management in your home:

* Institute a “Family Fun Night” tradition. Choose a consistent night of the week and take turns, with each household member having a chance to plan the evening. This might include the dinner menu, a dessert, and an activity in which everyone else participates. Over time, everyone in the family will have many opportunities to practice their Self-Management skills as they participate “without comment or complaint” in the chosen plan. It’s also a great opportunity to get to know more about each other’s tastes and interests!

* Make a “Calm Area,” a place where your child can go when they need to take a step away and calm down.  Rutgers Social-Emotional Learning Lab Director Dr. Maurice Elias suggests that it not be away from everyone or everything, but simply a comfortable area and clearly marked. Elias says some parents get a small square of carpet to put in a corner of a room, with a pillow or stuffed animal. This is especially useful when your child has a tantrum. Asking him or her to go to the “keep calm” area can make the tantrum less serious. The “keep calm” area can also serve as a source of security: if your child knows there’s a place to go to calm down and they can leave as soon as they feel better.