Kimberly Aultman
Teaching Children Self-Expression
According to Fox & Lentini (2006), "children who may be considered at risk for challenging behavior are persistently noncompliant, have difficulty regulating their emotions, do not easily form relationships with adults and other
children, have difficulty engaging in learning activities, and are perceived by teachers as being likely to develop more intractable behavior problems." Behaviors send a message, whether positive or negative. We want to encourage children to behave in positive ways, without emphasis on challenging behaviors. When children are given the resources needed to express themselves, there is a reduction in challenging behaviors (Fox & Lentini, 2006). One way to assist children in self-expression is through the use of literature. There are numerous books that emphasize simple emotions such as sad, happy, and mad. However, children need to develop a wider emotional vocabulary in order to fully express themselves. The following presentation quickly outlines a few ways of assisting children with self-expression:
children, have difficulty engaging in learning activities, and are perceived by teachers as being likely to develop more intractable behavior problems." Behaviors send a message, whether positive or negative. We want to encourage children to behave in positive ways, without emphasis on challenging behaviors. When children are given the resources needed to express themselves, there is a reduction in challenging behaviors (Fox & Lentini, 2006). One way to assist children in self-expression is through the use of literature. There are numerous books that emphasize simple emotions such as sad, happy, and mad. However, children need to develop a wider emotional vocabulary in order to fully express themselves. The following presentation quickly outlines a few ways of assisting children with self-expression:
Teaching children self expression
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Additional Resources:
- For an annotated bibliography (Aultman, 2011) of children's literature that supports self-expression click here.
- List of Feeling Words: http://childrenscenter.sa.ucsb.edu/CMSMedia/Documents/ParentSupport/FeelingWords.pdf
- "You Got It!" Teaching Social and Emotional Skills (Fox & Lentini 2006): http://www.naeyc.org/files/yc/file/200611/BTJFoxLentini.pdf
References:
Aultman, K. (2011). Children's literature that promotes self-expression. Unpublished manuscript.
Fox, L & Lentini, R. (2006). "You got it!" Teaching social and emotional skills. Retrieved from http://www.naeyc.org/files/yc/file/200611/BTJFoxLentini.pdf
Orfalea Family Children’s Center. (n.d). Children’s list of feeling words. Retrieved from http://childrenscenter.sa.ucsb.edu/CMSMedia/Documents/ParentSupport/FeelingWords.pdf
