The Connections Model Blog PRESSURE PACKED WORLD

  Keeping your emotions in check is a delicate balance for all of us. What would you think if you were asked to: Grade 50 papers.  OK. Now, do it in an hour.  Alright, that's challenging. Now add you've just had a major fight with a good friend, your washing machine flooded your house. And your car has a flat-tire. Well.... You'd probably ask if you could grade papers another time. Some individuals might respond to normal events in an over the top way. Maybe they verbally 'bite heads-off''. If we had to guess, all of the events listed above would probably make you feel frustrated, sad, angry, worried, and maybe even overwhelmed. We get it! It is incredibly difficult to get things done when your emotions are in control.   Now, let's think about our students as they come to school each day.   How are they feeling when they arrive?   How about as they navigate their day?   Did they get enough sleep, are they hungry, have a disagreement with a friend, do their homework?   Being a kid is tough. Event after event keeps coming. Our students are collecting emotions every step of the way. What we know is that if a student is not managing their collection of accumulating emotions throughout their day, they're not going to be able to get much done.  Let's face it, we aren't born knowing how to do math or read.  The same holds true for managing our emotions. We wouldn't ask kids to learn how to read, write or do math on their own. So what's-up with thinking they come with the skills and ideas to be have developed emotional regulation skills? Teach Emotional Regulation This brings us to The Connections Model's philosphophy and using KidConnect.   It's time that we teach kids the steps to understand how they feel, so they can manage how they behave.  More than stickers, thermometers, colors or emoji faces. We use open discussions and real emotions, real activities, in real life, and in real time. Are you ready? Let's get started teaching emotional regulation.