teaching affect regulation & awareness in preschool age children by: aaron wiemeier m.s. lpc...
TRANSCRIPT
Teaching Affect Regulation & Awareness in Preschool Age
Children
By: Aaron Wiemeier M.S. LPC
October 4, 2013
What is Affect Regulation?
Definition: The ability to manage ones emotional state in a functional way to meet primary need fullfillment
Needs Met Reduce Stress Survival Conserve Energy Survival
Spectrum of Affect Regulation
Depressed Manic
Restful / Activated
Cycle of Affect Regulation
Normal Adult
Bipolar Adult/Child
Infant Child
(note – frequency can be greater)
Affect Regulation continued
• Starting Point For Ego Development (I am Ok, I can handle this, I can get my needs met)
• Primarily Learned from Attachment Figure• Initial goal for child is to: “stretch” out the cycle not
eliminate the downs (frequency & duration)
Regulatory Systems of a Human Being
Autonomic Nervous
System
Sympathetic Parasympathetic
Regulatory Systems of a Human Being
Sympathetic Parasympathetic
Excitatory
Adrenaline (Cathecholomine System)
Fight, Fly or Freeze Response
Inhibitory
Noradrenaline/Cortosol
Calm Down, Relax, Rejuvinate
Regulatory Systems of a Human BeingSympathetic Structure Parasympathetic
Rate increased Heart Rate decreased
Force increased Heart Force decreased
Bronchial muscle relaxed LungsBronchial muscle contracted
Pupil dilation Eye Pupil constriction
Motility reduced Intestine Digestion increased
Sphincter closedBladder/Rectum
Sphincter relaxed
Decreased urine secretion KidneysIncreased urine secretion
Development, Regulation & Feelings: Connecting The Dots
• Regulatory Systems biochemically develop b/w 6 months in-utero 16 weeks• Birth to 1 month Sensory capacities, distinctions in vision, hearing, taste,
touch, temperature, perception of pain• 2-3 months color perception, smiles at a face• 7-9 months separation anxiety/attachment formed/forming• 10-12 months anger, affection, fear of strangers• 1.5-3 years temper tantrums, resentment of new baby, 200 word vocabulary,
differentiation of facial expressions of anger, sorrow, joy• 3-5 years affectionate towards parents, pleasure in genital manipulation,
romantic attachment to opposite sex parent, jealousy of same sex parent, fear of dark, fear of injury, pride in accomplishments
(www.childdevelopmentinfo.com)
Healthy Regulatory Cycle (positive & negative stressors)
Unhealthy Regulatory Process/Cycle
Behavior consistent with less ability to manage emotions reinforcement of negative messages both from community & culture
The “Big 3” – Steps to create change and improve Emotional Regulation
Nonverbal Behavior In Human BeingsWhy is it so important?
75% of communication
Trauma memory non-declarative (verbal) memory
It is more reliable
NV awareness in self & others leads to better modeling
Mechanisms of Non-Verbal Behavior
• Eye Contact• Facial Expression• Voice Tone• Posture• Gestures• Timing• Intensity of Response
Nonverbal Behavior
www.myfeelingsworkbook.com
Emotional (Body-Focused) Awareness
• Preventative & Resiliency Building• Because you feel feelings IN your body!• Normalization of Emotions• Separation of Emotion from Emotional Behavior• Research of Emotional Intelligence
“Simply stated, emotional intelligence is the ability to " monitor one’s own and others’ feelings, to discriminate among them, and to use this information to guide one’s thinking and action.’’ (Salovey & Mayer 1990, p. 189)
“Research suggests that people who have a high EQ or are higher in measured scales of emotional intelligence, have greater work success and more fulfilling personal relationships with others. It stands to reason that if a child develops this ability more thoroughly early in life, it can translate to these same benefits at a greater capacity later in life.” (Salovey & Grewel, 2005)
Emotional Awareness Building Resources
• My Feelings Workbook – www.myfeelingsworkbook.com
Body Focused – in depth about emotions• Challenge Software - www.cpschallenge.com• Zones of Regulation – www.zonesofregulation.com
• Managing Your Anger – What’s Behind it?
Feelings Behind Anger
www.creativetherapystore.com
If you knew a severe winter storm was coming…would you equip your children with the warmest clothes to protect them?
The Storm:• September 17, 2013 – 800 million people bought GTA in the first day• June 26, 2013 – Road Rage study shows 170% increase in 5 years• Social Media Revolution: Access to everything, everywhere, everytime PLUS our brains are
neurodevelopmentally wired to notice and attend to negative sensationalized stimuli first• DSM 5 – Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder• Autism Spectrum Disorder Rate Increase 1:88 (prevalence rates incresaing 10-17% each
Criteria A1: Deficits in social-emotional reciprocity
A2: Deficits in nonverbal communication
A3: Deficits in developing maintaining and understanding relationships