Posted on

Life Skills: Our Practice of Teamwork and Self-Reliance in the wake of Irene

Teaching character and life skills to students

As we have come to the end of the month and our discussions on Teamwork it was gratifying to see the use of teamwork in the families here at our school.  Our students really got a special opportunity to display teamwork this week with our brush with Irene, the hurricane.

Some of the parents in the school started using the term Team “Last Name”  as they told the stories of their family cleaning up after the storm or dealing in their own way with the inconveniences or even emergencies that they faced in the wake of the storm.

When the students returned to class we gave all the students the opportunity to tell their hurricane story, and reminded them that when they helped with work that needed to be done in or around the house they were practicing teamwork.  We also reminded them that every team member has a special skill and or responsibility to fulfill on the team, and how thankful they could be that their parents had kept them safe during this emergency.  They could rely on the team, just as the team relied on them.

While having an earthquake and hurricane in the same week was a bit disconcerting, we did get to practice teamwork – and even some of our word of the month in September; Self Reliance.

Posted on

Talking To Our Children About Natural Disasters and World Events

Today we experienced an earthquake here in Anne Arundel County and this weekend it might be a hurricane.  While the earthquake was not centered here, it was still strong enough that for many we were a bit scared, a especially for those of us who had never experienced one before.  I thought it was ironic that I was having a meeting with a person from California – who was not phased by it at all.

But this is about our children who have in the past few months heard of disastrous earthquakes in Japan and Haiti, with all of the after effects, and who have no doubt heard of the unrest in the Middle East and will also now be reminded, by the media, about the happenings of 9/11 as well as hearing about the hurricane coming.  Many of these children will feel stressed and anxious by all of these reports as they try to figure out how they will be affected and asking themselves what if it happens to me questions.  The question we must deal with as parents is what and how to deal with these sorts of circumstances.  Sticking with our normal routines as best that we can and being careful of our own reactions, shock / fear / anger as our children will reflect the parents feelings and attitude and exagerate it while they apply it to themselves.
As parents and teachers we also do not want to ignore what is happening, especially of school aged children, because even if you do not bring it up, they will hear about it at school.  If the children are frightened by the images they see or stories they hear, we do not want them to keep those feelings bottled up inside.  On the other hand though we want to answer the questions they ask, appropriately for their age, without going further than what they are concerned about at the time.  If the subject is not coming up from them, we may choose to bring it up and ask them what they have heard or believe is happening.  Depending on the age and personality of the child, we can emphasize the work being done by others to help the victims of natural disaster and focus on what we might be able to do to assist others.  This can become a great teaching moment,  in empathy,  global responsibility and  service to others.

Sometimes too children can confuse the happenings in a movie with reality and begin to fantasize about the results of a disaster.  Limiting the amount of television is always a good idea and watching and talking with them are two good ways of being sure you are there for them in the case that they do become anxious about these disasters.  Explaining to them about the progress science has made in modern times and allowing them to be a part of the solution by supporting world relief organizations is good for them too.  Reassuring them that you as their parent or guardian will be there to protect them and care for them is important for any child, but especially children who may be particularly susceptible to experiencing worry, anxiety and stress.

For more information about talking to your child about the anniversary of 9/11 I found this article quite informative and I would like to share it with you.

Talking to Your Child About 9/11: What Do You Need to Know?

Posted on

Lessons on Stress

Check out Lessons on Stress.  In a time and world where stress is a major contributing factor to illness and unhappiness it is important that we find ways to cope with it that are healthy.   This is especially important for our young people; teens, tweens and even as young as pre-schoolers.

It was recently reported that the fastest growing age group being diagnosed as clinically depressed are pre-school children.  Shocking and yet part of this has to do with stress.  What do young children stress about?  While they may not seem to be that big a deal to us, young  kids do stress over friends, pleasing parents, their schedule, and more.

In Lessons on Stress we talk about teens especially as too many times stress, depression and anxiety leads to suicide ideation and completion.  We are introducing this site in tandem with our Bully Prevention Partners site and the Out of the Darkness suicide awareness walk being held in Annapolis on September 10.

Please join Balanced Life Skills in our efforts to create a culture of peace in ourselves, families, schools and community.

 

Posted on

What Targets of Bullies Need to Know

All of us must be sure that when we are working with a student who is the target of a bully that they know everything that is listed in this collage of words.  Not sure what it says?  Join us at Bully Prevention Partners for the complete list and more information on what parents, teachers and students can do to create the culture of peace in the classroom.

 

Posted on

Life Skills: Teamwork – The Value of Contributing to “The Team”

Teaching character and life skills to students

Each one of us bring something special to the team that we are on.  Even on our most important team, the family, not all of us are going to be good at all things.  On every team there will those who play the role of encourager, compromiser, leader, clarifier, idea person, evaluator and recorder.

On small teams like your family, some may take on several roles as the team works towards a goal.  But the point is that one person should not need to take on all of the roles, because everyone can contribute something.  As a brief review let’s look at the different roles that can be played out on a team.

Encourager is the person who cheers the group on and finds ways to energize the group when motivation gets low.
Compromiser works on keeping the group harmonized.  They make sure that many in the group are heard and understood.
Leaders who must be careful not to dominate the group, while at the same time keeping them focused and on track to reach the goals of the group.
Clarifier is the person who can summarize where the group is at this time and looks to make sure the group reaches a consensus.
Idea person sees the big picture and is full of creative ways of getting there, while they may not be too good on the details.
Evaluator is the person who likes to think things over and does not reach a quick decision.  They will suggest and encourage looking at goals and solutions from different viewpoints.
Recorder is the person who loves to take the notes at a meeting and helps keep things moving, on time and schedule.

How can you contribute with your best?  Can you take on greater responsibility on a team?  In the family we can train our children to take on different roles as they work on seeing what they are the best at and how to use all of these skills.  It may start with simple day to day plans and later as they get older, having them help with vacation plans and other family goals.

Being on a team is important to our children feeling like they belong.  Belonging to a group is key to building their confidence which in turn will affect their ability to lead.  They will be less likely to succumb to bullying behavior and to stand up for others who are being picked on.  Teaching teamwork at home builds happy family units, stronger students and future adults.