Most adults strive to maintain a sense of safety and security for children by protecting them from the stress of life challenges. In 2020, we faced a world wide pandemic with no clear answers about how to navigate the challenges with children or other adults!
But it isn’t the first time we’ve faced a lack of clarity about what ‘to do’ during a challenge. Parents and teachers struggle to resolve challenges with children every day. As you know, it sometimes isn’t clear what “to do” when a child has challenging behavior. The uncertainty about how to handle things presents additional stress for both the children and the adults.
Why is uncertainty so challenging?
Uncertainty leads to distress for human beings. It is a biological imperative of the human brain to know what “to do;” specifically the brain is wired to identify and avoid danger. The brain strives to know where challenges exist and to avoid them, but when uncertainty arises the challenge feels more intense. It makes sense that adults want to navigate uncertainty with children in part by protecting them.
But the goal of protecting children might actually lead to more distress in the long term. Protecting them doesn’t teach them the skills they need to face the challenges brought about by uncertainty.
Learn how to navigate uncertainty with children
What are the skills needed? Luckily, they are part of any good preschool curriculum. Adults show children how to identify, understand, express, and then manage their thoughts, feelings, and body sensations. The emotional, cognitive, and relational skills taught in any good SEL curriculum will help children, and adults, navigate uncertainty.
Enjoy a brief clip of Laura discussing the impact of uncertainty on the brain here:
Take a look at how adults common reactions to uncertainty might heighten distress, e.g., what we typically to to navigate uncertainty with children:
Be introduced to Laura’s framework for navigating uncertainty with children called “The 4 A’s of Navigating Uncertainty”:
Who is this training for?
This training can be adapted for use by teachers and parents with children, for adults to help themselves, or for those working with families, e.g., family engagement. Please visit my You Tube Channel to find out more information about this and other trainings! If you are looking for how to respond to uncertainty from a place of balanced calm, to respond in ways that will guide yourself and children through challenging times, you will benefit from this training.