Summer Learning SEL
Growing our social and emotional skills
I Scream, You Scream, We all Scream for. . .
Share with a friend or a parent. What happened? How did you react?
Meltdown Moments
There may be times when you get so angry so fast that you start "melting-down" before you realize what has happened. A meltdown is when you lose all control of your reactions. You might have seen a sibling or someone at the store in a melt down. They may be screaming, on the floor, kicking in the air, or just not making any sense.
When you're in a meltdown, it's hard to take a mindful moment. Sometimes, a lot of screaming has to happen first. But how do we stop our reactions from getting out of control? What consequences happen when we do lose control?
The following video is a silly slapstick cartoon that shows just how far a meltdown can go. Think about how the meltdown gets resolved. What did the magician and rabbit change about their actions to help them recover?
The ABCDE's of Managing Strong Emotions
The following video showcases 5 steps to controlling those strong emotions. Our magician and rabbit show us how being in control prevents the perils of a meltdown . These steps will help your mind stay cool so that you can talk out your feelings with full control. Practice these steps with a friend or parent to make sure you are ready the next time your emotions start to boil.
Behind the Scenes for Parents
Awareness is key to managing strong emotions. As adults, we have an idea of where anger starts in our bodies and minds. Once we know that we are reaching a tipping point, we use systems like the ABCDE model to bring ourselves to a better place where we can resolve the issue at hand.
To help your child become aware of their emotional temperature, many professionals suggest thermometers. At each level of thermometer from nothing to full hot, your child can identify how they feel physically and mentally. This helps your child understand when to engage in coping mechanisms in the ABCDE model or any other.
The following video is one interpretation of this technique that may help as you support your child's emotional regulation skills.