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CHECK OUT THIS WEEK'S BLOG ENTRY!
 
11/23/2015 
 
By Donna Shea

We work with many kids who might be described as inflexible or rigid in their thinking.  There are times when a one-track mind is a powerfully positive force, staying with a task until completed, or an amazing idea until it comes to fruition.  There are other times when a brain that has a difficult time bending to see other perspectives or solutions can be a source of frustration for the child or those with whom that child interacts.  A child may have a difficult time understanding or even considering that there are different ways of going about things, none of them right or wrong, or better or worse then any other, just different.

The gal on my mind as I write this is a tween who I had in a social group awhile back.  She was a terrific young lady, who approached the world in her own unique and amazing way and had interests that veered away from the usual tween fare.  Incredibly intelligent and thoughtful, she often challenged me to consider my approach to supporting kids on the spectrum and to really, really listen to and to appreciate and celebrate the differences in the way we think about things.

I remember a day when I was serving ice cream sandwiches as an early summer treat and the kids were happily removing the wrappers completely (or not), breaking them in half (or not), licking around the sides first or simply just munching away.  This young lady had been out of the room and when she returned, became quite distraught.  She exclaimed, "that is NOT how you eat an ice cream sandwich!"  Her distress was clear.  I had a great group of kids, so no one reacted in any way except with puzzlement.  I asked her, "how do  you eat an ice cream sandwich?"  When her response was on a paper plate, with a fork, peeling away the top layer, then the ice cream and then the bottom layer, I happily accommodated her ice cream sandwich style with the plate and fork

While we were all enjoying our treat in our various ways, I used it as a social lesson on several fronts: accommodating the needs of others, making room for different ways that we each approach something, and that there is not a right way or a wrong way, but many ways to eat an ice cream sandwich.


Check out more blogs on  HowToMakeAndKeepFriends.com.
I FEEL MAD! TIPS FOR KIDS ON MANAGING ANGRY FEELINGS
Now available on Amazon.com

I Feel Mad: Tips for Kids on Managing Angry Feelings
contains full color illustrations by artist Ryan Flynn.  The beautiful images further enhance the effective tips and make the workbook a must-have for kids who struggle with anger issues.  

In the new anger workbook, children will learn:
 
  • the anger rule to follow and what they may or may not do when they are feeling angry;
  • that anger is a normal emotion we all have and that managing anger appropriately is a critical life skill;
  • how to identify the physical sensations of anger and imple ment strategies before it becomes too hot to handle;
  • a menu of safe strategies to choose from when angry situations arise; and
  • effective problem solving skills and specific reactions to replace an angry response.
The How to Make and Keep Friends books are known for providing quick, easy tips for kids that help them with managing their feelings as well as developing friendships.   I Feel Mad: Tips for Kids on Managing Angry Feelings is based on the one-of-a-kind "Getting the Mads Out" skill-based workshop that has helped many children learn to manage their angry feelings over the last decade.  

Donna Shea, Director of the Peter Pan Center, and Nadine Briggs, Director of Simply Social Kids, are passionate about helping kids make and keep friends. They have dedicated themselves to working with children who experience mild to moderate social difficulties to foster positive social skills and interactions. 

MORE FROM HOW TO MAKE AND KEEP FRIENDS

 

Donna Shea and Nadine Briggs | How to Make and Keep Friends, LLC | Shea 978-413-1965/Briggs 978-764-2758 | E-mail | Website


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