1. Emotion Coaching The evidence base and how to…
Andy Leafe PFSA
Ali Hart ROUTE1 Advocacy and I/V’s

12. The national context
According to The NSPCC about one in five children in the UK are exposed to domestic violence (physical, emotional or sexual) 
The NSPCC's Childline counselled 11,706 young people for anxiety in a 35% rise from the 8,642 in
Somerset CAMHS - In the last 4 years have had a 25% increase in referrals with no increase in funding
Western life style challenges – competitiveness & comparison, instant gratification and rise in social media. Less likely to be connected to families, friends and community and feel lonely.   
This is impacting on children and young people’s mental health and their ability to focus and learn    

13. Evidence based practice in schools using Mindful Emotion Coaching demonstrates:
Significant decrease in internal and external school exclusions.
Reduced emotional and behavioural challenges for children of all ages.
Children/young people able to engage more effectively in learning.

14. “All behaviour is communication”
It requires us to pay attention to a child’s communication and their emotions, without value judging it.
Behaviour
Feelings, needs and emotions

15. The essence of emotion coaching starts with an ability to put our own agenda to one side (often challenging) and puts ourselves in someone else’s shoes. We seek to see the world through another person’s eyes, with compassion and empathy. Helping them to feel ok, understood and not alone.

16. "In the same way that kids who are delayed in reading are having difficulty mastering the skills required for being proficient in reading, challenging kids are having difficulty mastering the skills required for becoming proficient in handling life’s social, emotional, and behavioural challenges. Why have we been so zealously over-applying consequences to kids with behavioural challenges? Because we didn’t realize they had a developmental delay.”
Dr Ross Green
Author of “Lost at School” and “The Explosive Child” and web resource “livesinthebalance.org”

17. Vagus Nerve ‘Name it to tame it.’
By naming emotions we stimulate the thinking part of our brain, which stimulates the vagus nerve and calms our bodily responses.

18. Five steps of Emotion Coaching We should aim to emotion coach 40-50% of the time

19. STEP 1
Notice and Tune in
Is this an emotion coaching opportunity? Is your lid closed? Are you able to pay attention? what do you notice or see?

20. STEP 2 Connect say what you see
Recognize emotional times as opportunities for connecting

21. STEP 3 Accept & listen with compassion & empathy
Listen with compassion and validate feelings.

22. STEP 4 Reflect, “name it to tame it.”
Help verbally label emotions – this helps sooth the nervous system and aid recovery.
Before moving to step 5, consider a pause……. is everyone's lids closed? Do I or they need more time?

23. STEP 5 LASTLY -problem solve together if needed.
Problem solving, redirect, limit setting, choice.

24. Key Emotion Coaching Messages
Our brains flip their lids when we feel or perceive a psychological threat (think bring under pressure; tests/exams, having to perform, public speaking, job interview etc.)
Some children feel under threat and they do not YET have the social & Emotional skills to regulate their emotions effectively
Emotions regulation forms in early attachment and it can change/develop
Connect, pause….before you correct
Name it (emotion) tame it (calm it down)
All emotional are acceptable but not all behaviours are
You can’t emotion coach when YOUR lid is flipped
When a child “flips their lid” the up and downstairs brain can’t physically connect
Children learn when their lids are closed and they can access the upstairs (pre-frontal cortex) part of their brain