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THE PESA POST
The latest news, views and announcements from
Parents, Educators/Teachers & Students in Action

April 14, 2022
POSITIVELY POWERFUL
Applying new techniques helps middle-schoolers push past old bad behaviors
The only thing more vexing than a persistent unsolvable problem is attempting the same ineffective “solution” and being repeatedly surprised when it doesn’t work. Sometimes, you’ve got to think outside the box, which is a specialty at PESA.

Case in point: One L.A.-area middle school was having behavioral issues with a group of some 30 students, and the traditional methods of discipline didn’t seem to be having a positive effect. PESA was asked to spend a day with this cohort to see if we could provide some training and tools that might make a difference.

PESA staffers planned a number of activities, and from the get-go, the mere fact that the youngsters weren’t being singled out for disciplinary actions had an immediate positive effect: They were engaged and eager to participate!

The day started with an ice-breaker activity designed to allow the students to find areas of commonality among them—bilingualism, for example, and preference of pet types … anything that might create bonds and diminish feelings of being singled out.

Next up, staff used a version of PESA’s Wise Mind presentation to work with the students on decision-making skills and determining appropriate behavior. Students were shown the concept of the emotional mind, the reasonable mind and the wise mind and how engaging all parts of their brains can promote more rational thinking and decision-making. “It was a great opportunity to promote social functioning,” says PESA’s Nataly Kemdjian. “Participation was close to 100 percent.” 

Other activities included the “knot game,” which promotes teamwork and camaraderie, and an art project which provided an alternative form of communication and expression for the students. 

“In all, the engagement was outstanding,” says PESA’s Araksya Nordikyan. “And while we certainly don’t have unrealistic expectations that a single day of such activities will miraculously change negative behaviors of all these kids overnight, it’s a step in the right direction.”

If you’d like to support PESA’s many social and educational initiatives, please contact us.