EVERY BEHAVIOR STARTS WITH A FEELING

Children, like adults, have emotional emergencies — they just look different from ours. On closer inspection, we learn that there’s a predictable pattern to escalation — an arc of sorts, that if caught in time, can re-direct outcomes from explosive to calm. Using a child-first, relationship-centered mindset, this module teaches us that strong behaviors are no mystery, and that all feelings make sense. We also discover that preventative techniques (like focusing on connection), can help facilitate a sense of calm.

Discover…

• that the best strategy for de-escalation is prevention

• five specific strategies to help young people bring calm to strong feelings

• five adult behaviors to avoid, in the presence of strong feeling