Recollect + Reflect = Introspect

Working with children has its advantages and challenges. Children are similar to sponges, absorb everything you say, acknowledge everything you do, accept everything you show them and explore all that is offered to them! But how do children begin to introspect or in other terms.. examine thoughts, feelings and actions.

Connecting to a child’s thought process is achievable by a two way communication, for which we need to build a trustworthy relationship by engaging into their stories by just simply LISTENING to them. Listening instantly creates the bond where they feel safe to vent out their feelings or anxieties and share their experiences.

The ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of these feelings clears the cloud of emotions and opens a path for discussion, helping them to ENGAGE and unlock their problem solving part of the brain to focus on HOW to overcome these emotional tangles.

Working together to resolve emotional turbulences makes them feel empowered and gradually develops SELF-AWARENESS !

We all know our Brains have compartments and each of them function for a purpose, but if we learn to integrate the different parts they will work like cogs in a machine, thereby maintaining a healthy balance for our emotional well-being.

There may be various ways to integrate our cogs but one of the ways I recently read and came across is - 

“RECOLLECT & REFLECT”

Think of our memories and experiences as jigsaw pieces. We collect more pieces as the day goes on.

Sharing these experiences and engaging in a conversation or discussion helps

• RECOLLECT all the facts / experiences / actions that have impacted our lives.

• Enabling us to REFLECT on events, incidents, actions and even our own emotions.

Providing children with opportunities to INTROSPECT on their actions in various ways, improves their ability to understand their own reactions and prepares them for future events or situations.

I knew a child who would bounce happily until he reached the school gates but just before coming in, separation anxiety built up and there would be tears (sometimes yelling too). One morning, I picked him up, listening and acknowledging his distress. My response to his outburst was, “I Know!” Once he had calmed down, we talked about how and what would make him happy. After a few mornings, he would come in and ask for a ‘job’. I had to reflect on my own reactions, helping him to overcome his emotions and finding ways together as a team!!

Being able to share emotions is easy but Being able to understand children’s emotions and direct them is “Work in Progress! 




Do you think Introspection may precede EI!!?? 
.. Happy to hear YOUR thoughts??

By

Anu Raina