Pages

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Empathy: Part 2

Teaching Empathy:  Identifying Feelings

 
What struck me in the above definition of "empathy" was the last part 'without having the feelings fully communicated in an objectively explicit manner."  OH how are kids struggle with this, picking up social cues might as well be rocket science. 
 
When Matthew first came to us we quickly entered the wonderful world of traditional talk therapy, and well I didn't feel we really accomplished much in regards to his attachment and trauma issues, the one thing that each therapist we worked with focused on was identifying feelings.  This was SO essential for Matthew.  The ONLY feeling he knew and understood was MAD!!  Anytime feelings were discussed he would say he was MAD.  In reality all that MAD was really covering up the actual feelings; sadness, frustration, disappointment, guilt and so many more.  In order for our kids to understand the feelings of others they have to first understand and recognize their own feelings!  I realize that this is much easier said then done.  As a former Special Education teacher I had worked with a lot of children who needed direct instruction in recognizing feelings.  I treated recognizing feelings as a skill just like learning your addition facts. AND just like trying to teach addition facts to kids, you HAVE to make it fun!
 
One of the things Matthew's therapist had was a poster like this:
 
 
 
 He LOVED this poster, so we used it often in many ways :)  I think the silly faces helped him at first, it made it less "real" and more of a game.  We had the poster up in our living room area and in his room.  We would often look at it and point out what we were feeling.  This gradually got us away from "MAD" being the only feeling and it greatly expanded his "feeling" vocabulary.  Many times he was just picking random faces he thought were funny, that was perfectly okay!  Remember the goal right now is to just understand different feelings.  Whatever, he picked we would talk about!  Eventually I began to make him explain why he was feeling that way and he began reflecting more accurate feelings. 
Once he was getting good at identifying his feelings with the faces we began taking pictures of him or collecting pictures from the internet of different feelings to make it more 'real' when identifying feelings.  We played matching games with the funny cartoon pictures and real pictures, we identified situations and what feelings he might feel, we practiced making faces on demand (I would call out a feeling and he would make the face and vice-versa).  It became a fun time for us and made feelings less scary. We talked about feelings ALL. THE. TIME.  I would identify my feelings ALL. THE. TIME.  I would point out feelings on TV shows, movies, friends, etc.  ALL. THE. TIME.
At this point it was just about identifying feelings, what the feelings are, feelings vocabulary, identifying feeling faces in others and himself.  It was not about empathy or how to react to others feelings yet, he had to have the knowledge first!
 
Next Blog Post we will begin to address making the transition between identifying feelings and applying that knowledge!
 
 

7 comments:

  1. Spell caster and love spells in Africa, Europe, Asia and America. CLIMAX INTERNATIONAL HEALER SPECIALIZED IN THE FOLLOWING; *Powerful love spell. *Revenge of the raven curse. *Break up spells. *Magic spells. *Protection spell. *Curse removal. *Remove negative energy. *Curse spells. *Spiritual cleansing. *Africa witch craft healers. *Hex removal. *cancer cure. *Spiritual healing spell. *Wicca witch craft. *Good luck charm. *Break up spells. *Magic love spells *Sangoma traditional medicine. *Gay love spell. *Real magic spells. *The spell to defeat your rival. *Fertility spells. *Divorce spell. *Marriage spells. *Native healer. *Traditional healer. *Herbalist. *Fortune teller. *Madness coursed by witch craft. Break Up & Come Back To Me Get your ex back,spell caster cures HIV/AIDS,*cures ASTHMA,*Long Life Spell,*Job spell,* even if they are currently with another lover. They will break up and he or she will come back to you, to be in your loving arms, the way it should have been all along. Break them up and bring back your lost love with The Break Up and Come Back To Me Love Spell . Binding Love Spells Meant for more serious relationships like marriage, or the path to something very special and permanent. Once the binding love spell is cast, it is extremely difficult to reverse. It is highly recommended that you ensure you are choosing the right person for yourself before asking us to cast The Binding Love Spell . Stop Divorce Are you going through a divorce you just don’t want? Still feel strong love towards your husband or wife and they no longer feel the same way? If it’s not about the legal fee’s, division of personal property, the countless arguments, or nights on the couch. Stop a divorce with The Stop a Divorce Love Spell,wealth spell and many more.Do not work with them
    and the same time work with another spell caster it is either you make a
    choice, Do not come for jokes or take spell casting for granted.
    PLEASE NOTE THAT MY SPELLS ARE BASED ON TRADITIONAL HEALING AND A BELIEF IN THE MYSTICAL. RESULTS VARY FROM INDIVIDUAL TO INDIVIDUAL. Have a serious problem that needs fixing? Contact
    spellcaster.powercaster@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Spell caster and love spells in Africa, Europe, Asia and America. CLIMAX INTERNATIONAL HEALER SPECIALIZED IN THE FOLLOWING; *Powerful love spell. *Revenge of the raven curse. *Break up spells. *Magic spells. *Protection spell. *Curse removal. *Remove negative energy. *Curse spells. *Spiritual cleansing. *Africa witch craft healers. *Hex removal. *cancer cure. *Spiritual healing spell. *Wicca witch craft. *Good luck charm. *Break up spells. *Magic love spells *Sangoma traditional medicine. *Gay love spell. *Real magic spells. *The spell to defeat your rival. *Fertility spells. *Divorce spell. *Marriage spells. *Native healer. *Traditional healer. *Herbalist. *Fortune teller. *Madness coursed by witch craft. Break Up & Come Back To Me Get your ex back,spell caster cures HIV/AIDS,*cures ASTHMA,*Long Life Spell,*Job spell,* even if they are currently with another lover. They will break up and he or she will come back to you, to be in your loving arms, the way it should have been all along. Break them up and bring back your lost love with The Break Up and Come Back To Me Love Spell . Binding Love Spells Meant for more serious relationships like marriage, or the path to something very special and permanent. Once the binding love spell is cast, it is extremely difficult to reverse. It is highly recommended that you ensure you are choosing the right person for yourself before asking us to cast The Binding Love Spell . Stop Divorce Are you going through a divorce you just don’t want? Still feel strong love towards your husband or wife and they no longer feel the same way? If it’s not about the legal fee’s, division of personal property, the countless arguments, or nights on the couch. Stop a divorce with The Stop a Divorce Love Spell,wealth spell and many more.Do not work with them
    and the same time work with another spell caster it is either you make a
    choice, Do not come for jokes or take spell casting for granted.
    PLEASE NOTE THAT MY SPELLS ARE BASED ON TRADITIONAL HEALING AND A BELIEF IN THE MYSTICAL. RESULTS VARY FROM INDIVIDUAL TO INDIVIDUAL. Have a serious problem that needs fixing? Contact
    spellcaster.powercaster@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Nationwide Loan Firm can offer you any type of loan that you are applying for. I want you to know that we are approved and certified lender with years of experience in lending and I give out Collateral or Non Collateral loan amounts ranging from $2,000.00 -$500,000,000.00 USD with a fixed interest of 3% on an annual basis.
    Do you need a loan? Are you in a financial crisis or need money to start your own business? Do you need loan to settle your debt or pay off your bills or start a nice business? You have a low credit score and have difficulties in obtaining capital loans from local banks and other financial institutions? Here's your chance to get a loan from our firm {NATIONWIDE LOAN FIRM}. We offer loans to individuals for the following purposes and more. Personal Loan, Business Expansion, Entrepreneurship, Education, debt consolidation loans hard money. We offer loans at low interest rate of 3%. Contact us today by sending your details to our Email: nationloanoffer@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Nationwide Loan Firm can offer you any type of loan that you are applying for. I want you to know that we are approved and certified lender with years of experience in lending and I give out Collateral or Non Collateral loan amounts ranging from $2,000.00 -$500,000,000.00 USD with a fixed interest of 3% on an annual basis.
    Do you need a loan? Are you in a financial crisis or need money to start your own business? Do you need loan to settle your debt or pay off your bills or start a nice business? You have a low credit score and have difficulties in obtaining capital loans from local banks and other financial institutions? Here's your chance to get a loan from our firm {NATIONWIDE LOAN FIRM}. We offer loans to individuals for the following purposes and more. Personal Loan, Business Expansion, Entrepreneurship, Education, debt consolidation loans hard money. We offer loans at low interest rate of 3%. Contact us today by sending your details to our Email: nationloanoffer@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hello my good people all over the world we are here again to bring you the good news all over the world we Illuminati !!!WELCOME TO ILLUMINATI!!! The Club of the Riches Power and Famous, is the world oldest and largest fraternity made up of Millions of Members. We are one Family under one father who is the Super master of powers LORD LUCIFER. In Illuminati we believe that we were born in paradise and no member should struggle in this world. Hence, all our new members are given Money for Rewards [10 million us] dollars and many other benefit as follows once they join us in order to upgrade their lifestyle. Interested viewers should contact us on. (illuminatichurch775@yahoo.com] Are you frustrated in life. What type of wealth do you want, Are you a business man/woman or an ARTISTS,POLITICIANS, PASTOR,ENGINEER,DOCTOR, STUDENTS,GRADUATED Today is your luckiest day,Join Illuminati and become a multimillionaire,we have be given an order to recruit new members into the organization kingdom. Are you tired of poverty and now you want fame,power and riches .Our magical powers are beyond your imagination. we could do magic on your behalf regarding , your financial situation, future events,or whatever is important to you. we have the power and we use the power. we are Illuminati, and we could change the course of destiny. Get to us and we shall help you. Tell us what it is you want and we shall go about our work. Is it someone or something you desire to have? Do you want wealth(Want to grow your bank account?, Need funds to enjoy the good life or you want power to over comes anything ? Tired of working hard and getting nowhere?) or happiness? join the most powerful society welcomes you to Illuminati.. contact Illuminati initiation home Send us your most important desire and we shall work our powers in your favor. Be sure to tell Illuminati us what you want. If you are interested call the agent now send your e-mail to {illuminatichurch775@yahoo.com} for immediately initiation.New members registration is now open online or call them on this for immediately initiation.Our source of wealth and power is only reveal to registered members only.... WE WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT YOUR DESTINY IS IN YOUR HANDS

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hello my good people all over the world we are here again to bring you the good news all over the world we Illuminati !!!WELCOME TO ILLUMINATI!!! The Club of the Riches Power and Famous, is the world oldest and largest fraternity made up of Millions of Members. We are one Family under one father who is the Super master of powers LORD LUCIFER. In Illuminati we believe that we were born in paradise and no member should struggle in this world. Hence, all our new members are given Money for Rewards [10 million us] dollars and many other benefit as follows once they join us in order to upgrade their lifestyle. Interested viewers should contact us on. (illuminatichurch775@yahoo.com] Are you frustrated in life. What type of wealth do you want, Are you a business man/woman or an ARTISTS,POLITICIANS, PASTOR,ENGINEER,DOCTOR, STUDENTS,GRADUATED Today is your luckiest day,Join Illuminati and become a multimillionaire,we have be given an order to recruit new members into the organization kingdom. Are you tired of poverty and now you want fame,power and riches .Our magical powers are beyond your imagination. we could do magic on your behalf regarding , your financial situation, future events,or whatever is important to you. we have the power and we use the power. we are Illuminati, and we could change the course of destiny. Get to us and we shall help you. Tell us what it is you want and we shall go about our work. Is it someone or something you desire to have? Do you want wealth(Want to grow your bank account?, Need funds to enjoy the good life or you want power to over comes anything ? Tired of working hard and getting nowhere?) or happiness? join the most powerful society welcomes you to Illuminati.. contact Illuminati initiation home Send us your most important desire and we shall work our powers in your favor. Be sure to tell Illuminati us what you want. If you are interested call the agent now send your e-mail to {illuminatichurch775@yahoo.com} for immediately initiation.New members registration is now open online or call them on this for immediately initiation.Our source of wealth and power is only reveal to registered members only.... WE WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT YOUR DESTINY IS IN YOUR HANDS

    ReplyDelete