2.10 Psychological Flexibility
Dr Justin Coulson
Co-Host and Parenting Expert on Nine's Parental Guidance | Keynote Speaker | 4 x Best-selling Author | Podcast Host | Founder: Happy Families
Studies suggest that children often learn inflexibility from the adults around them. In a six-year study of teenagers and their parents, University of Wollongong researchers found that the more rigid and authoritarian parents were, the more likely their teens were to exhibit the same inflexibility that often frustrates us.
As educators, how can we help our students overcome rigid, inflexible thinking and develop psychological flexibility?
Here are three strategies to teach your students:
1. Step Back
Encourage students to step back from a situation to create some emotional distance. This can help them remain calm, as high emotions often lead to lower intelligence. By keeping emotions level, students can improve their thinking and decision-making.
2. Shift Perspective
Teach students to see things from different viewpoints. This helps them recognise that their perspective isn’t the only one, fostering empathy and understanding. Encourage them to consider how others might feel or think in the same situation.
3. Emphasise Values
Guide students to respond to difficulties based on their values rather than their immediate emotions. Discuss the importance of values such as kindness, integrity, and perseverance and how these can shape their reactions to challenging situations.
By incorporating these strategies into your teaching, you can help create a classroom environment that promotes psychological flexibility, empathy, and thoughtful decision- making.
Let’s talk about it!
"One-minute Wellbeing: Fifty Quick Tips for Educators" is a practical guide that provides concise, actionable strategies to enhance both staff and student wellbeing, fostering a supportive and dynamic classroom environment for all educators.
Independent Writing
1moAbout 3 years ago I published a children's picture book that has a good way of helping a child to understand feelings and a parent who helped them discover emotions.
Independent Writing
1moI have watched your TV shows and found them interesting. I now have 30 grandkids and 5 great grandsons. From babyhood my children did little jobs up to young adults. When one of my sons asked 'why do we have to do these jobs?' I told him 'I want happy daughter in laws'. It worked. And I have happy daughter in laws with husbands who could do every job. The older ones took the younger kids and helped them to do the jobs. No money involved but I paid for their sports etc. And I see my children teaching their children to do their jobs with a good attitude.
Founder of Dilaab Digitals 🔥 • Helping Coaches and Solopreneurs focus on the big picture | Follow for posts about virtual assistance, delegation, and outsourcing | PH 100 Brightest Minds Under 30 by StellarPH
1moSuch an important topic! 🌱 Psychological flexibility is key not just for educators, but for creating positive environments for children to grow and learn.