Sam’s teacher has introduced the
Emotional Thermometer to the class and the students know now that irrational
thinking is hurtful, its makes strong unhealthy emotions and poor behavioural
choices. They know its Brain Bully (BB) trying to trick them. BB is saying: ‘I
can’t do this! It’s unfair. I’m dumb.’
Teacher:
‘These are not true! Are they children?’
Children:
‘NO THEY’RE NOT!
Teacher: ‘We
won’t let Brain Bully win will we?
Children: ‘NO
WE WON’T!’
They also know that Brain Friend tells
the truth and makes healthy, manageable negative emotions. BF says, ‘this is
hard but I can try.’ ‘I’m not dumb if I make a mistake.’ ‘I’m always OK.’
Teacher: ‘These
are true! What do you think children?’
Children:
Yes they are. We want BF to win! GET LOST BRAIN BULLY!’
This kind of learning is reinforced
across all teaching/learning curriculum areas or if you are a parent the same
applies at home at every opportunity. The idea is to reinforce the idea that
what you think, how you feel and how you act are all related. When our children
understand this they will learn to take responsibility for how they feel and
behave (young children pick this up very well)
The next item to introduce to children is
the idea that when we think something is ‘bad’ and we tell ourselves that it is
the worst thing ever we don’t feel so good. We may feel highly anxious or angry
or sad (Check the Emotional Thermometer). We may tell ourselves that ‘its so
awful that we can’t stand it!’ This is called ‘Icantstandititis!’ a
debilitating condition that can be treated by understanding and using the
Catastrophe Scale (CS). The CS is a list of possible/actual concerns which are
organised according to how ‘bad’ they are. Children will then be able to see at
a glance that an itchy nose is not as bad as the earth being blown to bits!
Teacher:
‘I lost my pencil. This is so awful I cant stand it!’
Children:
‘Watch out Brain Bully will make you mad and sad. Don’t let him win!’
Teacher:
‘But I need my pencil. This is terrible!’
Children:
‘Oh oh! Brain Bully is tricking you. This is not a big problem. It isn’t as bad
a sore throat. It is a small problem.’
Teacher:
‘You’re right kids I won’t let BB win. Can you help me?’
Children:
‘BF says this is a pain but not a huge problem. Let BF win and get rid of BB!’
Children respond well to this kind of
learning and is a preventative mental health measure, teaching them that
unhealthy negative emotions are made by irrational thinking (BB). If they know
this they can help themselves to regulate how they feel and behave by
themselves. This is what Rational Emotive Behaviour Education is all about.
Sam will learn that when she believes
small problems are not so bad after all she will be less inclined to anger and
will be a happier little person.
Brain Friend and Brain Bully are
characters introduced in my program for young learners ‘Have a Go Spaghettio!’
Problems!
Big
ones, little ones,
In
between ones too
Problems,
problems
Whatever
can I do?
I
can’t find my hat
Wherever
can it be
This
is so awful
It’s
a catastrophe!
It’s
not fair
I'm
sick in my tummy
I
want my hat
It’s
not funny!
My
friend is sick
And
she is sad
Losing
my hat
Isn’t
so bad
I
can handle this
I
can change how I feel
I
think ‘this isn’t so awful
It
isn’t a big deal’
Big
ones, little ones
In
between ones too
Problems,
problems
I
know what I can do!
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