All Emotions Are Acceptable

 

Helping others through their emotions is an invaluable skills, especially if you are the one who helped bring on the emotion.

As I walked in the other morning I noticed a young lady at the 1-4 bathroom taking time to read the Mood Meter. She was looking it over and in the end touched an emotion and then walked on. It was a simple moment to watch but profound for the girl. She was taking time to identify her feelings. This is a strength that will help her handle her emotions and help her support others with their own.

Reflecting on the events of last week this is a great opportunity for us as adults and educators to take time and work to support our students through their emotions.

I recently had a student tell me that they "shouldn't be sad." I explored this with them and learned that somewhere along the way an adult told them to "cheer up and not be sad." Sad is an emotion we all feel at one time or another. Instead of saying "cheer up", "Stop being sad", let's move toward, "I see you're sad, that's ok, we all get sad, how can I help you work through your sadness?" 

Sadness is not the only emotion we can accept from ourselves and students. Anger is acceptable. The way anger is handled is what matters. 

There are no "right" or "wrong" emotions only helpful/healthy ways to express them and unhelpful/unhealthy or hurtful ways to express emotions.

Who are some students you have previously not allowed to feel an emotion because you feared how they would express it?

How can you help a student work through a feeling?

Take a few minutes to read the link below. We can all find a way to help ourselves and students work with and through their emotions. Avoiding doesn't make something go away.

Helping students with emotions