1. Building Emotional Safety for younger Students
Alisa Rogaliner, M.Ed
Principal
Buffalo Trail Elementary School

2. What Children Need Perception Self Desire to please Too Busy
In 1943, American psychologist Abraham Maslow wrote that people in order to achieve a healthy outlook on life, people must have five areas of need met in order to achieve a strong and healthy outlook on life. We see this represented in a hierarchy, beginning with the very basic needs setting the foundation of our development. A common representation is shown on the right as a five- level pyramid. The supposition is that higher needs can only be fully achieved when the simplest needs are met.
In infancy, we immediately assess the most basic needs, however, we often look past them as children get older.
We ask, “What’s wrong with you? Why can’t you do better?” rather than “What is going on in your life?”
Answers are found when we reflect on the child’s needs.
PEER PRESSURE
Too Busy
Adult Content
Social Media
From: Psychology Today Posted: May 23, 2012

3. COMMUNICATION LISTEN for what is not being said. ASK FOR CLARIFICATION
REMEMBER, EVERY STORY HAS A BEGINNING (Children tend to start in the middle.)
ALLOW CHILDREN TO BE HONEST WITHOUT FEAR
NOT ALL CONFLICT IS BULLYING
WHEN A PROBLEM IS FIXED, IT IS NO LONGER A PROBLEM. ( Don’t revisit it, unless it is repeated. )
Communication to build emotional confidence is not just pep-talks or being the “protector.” Sometimes it’s a fact finding mission to help solve problems.
1. Remember, almost all children start in the middle when they share a need or concern.
2. Help them go back to the beginning and identify the real source of the problem.
3. Take them out of the victim role and put them into the reporter role. This allows a safe place to relay the facts objectively and let them know they are being heard.
It also develops the ability to both take responsibility for themselves and learn ways to avoid similar problem in the future.

4. Empowering self-confidence
Provide feedback that is sincere.
Give praise for simple things and for good character choices.
Help them be comfortable with success and support the success of others
BE REAL - Don’t inflate situations and make unrealistic goals.
Recognize Natural Consequences as a fact of life
Show Empathy and define the big picture
MODEL, MODEL, MODEL and keep SMILING
LET CHILDREN ENJOY BEING KIDS!!!!
It is natural for children to be egocentric, understanding the world through a lens of what they see, touch, hear and feel. They relate much of what they experience through “ I “ messages.
We can provide a broader understanding of the world through positive problem solving.
With good skills, they build confidence in their own abilities. They will recognize how to make good decisions for themselves.
Without these skills, they may avoid doing anything to try and resolve the issue. They may feel victimized and remain unhappy.