Monday, May 17, 2010

Social and Emotional Learning.





I am writing a series of newsletters for Incentive plus who publish, amongst many educational products, the The Blob Tree tools. Here is the first one pasted in for you. If you would like to register and get one direct - and in colour, see the foot of the text.


11th May / Issue 2 Emotional Literacy

Welcome

Welcome to Issue Two of Social and Emotional Insight. Today Pip Wilson, author, trainer and social and emotional practitioner writes on Emotional Deprivation and Emotional Literacy. You can find out more about Pip on his website here: http://www.pipwilson.com/
In this issue:

• A Volcano / A Pickaxe / A Hammer / A Nail
• Emotional Literacy
• Tips & Advice
• 50 Top Tips for Behaviour Management

Dictionary::
literacy |ˈlitərəsē; ˈlitrə-|
noun
the ability to read and write.

Emotional Literacy is all about reading signals. Feelings are signals. They surge through us every mili-second when we are awake. Even when we sleep.

Feelings are signals. It is the big ones that matter.
The ugly ones really matter.

Unless humans reach some competency in managing feelings they will be controlled.
Control is bad. Like a capped volcano - they will eventually erupt.

In 1979 I conducted my first study of Youth Gangs. I focused on the number one issue. The aspect of their lives which was most difficult for them. My study was titled 'Emotional Deprivation'. We now understand this as 'Emotional Literacy' - an ability in understanding and managing emotions.

These young humans lived with violence. They exploded, erupted, lashed out and received in return.

One day a teenager came into the Club swinging a builder's pick axe.

He chased another young man around the pool table with myself in-between the two - I will never forget it!

Later on that same evening they were playing football together in the sports hall.

The volcano had erupted. Then behaviour returned to normal.
Capped emotions, awaiting the next rumble from within.

We can learn how to manage our emotions.

It is possible to become more aware.
It is possible to become more skilful.

"If we only have a Hammer
We see everything as a Nail."

In the weeks and months ahead
I will share a few stories with you,
I will share experiences with you,
I will share tools for the toolbox with you.

You will be able to take them and transpose them into your own life and work - because signals rise within us in every aspect of our existence.

In our Toolboxes we need more than a Hammer.

Just email ezines@incentiveplus.co.uk or reply to this email with any questions, advice or top tips.
A Volcano/A Pickaxe/A Hammer/A Nail.

IF A BUD OF A FLOWER GETS DAMAGED.
FROST.
Damaged.
It won't open.
When it ages.
It will not open to the sun.

When a new baby is born
beautiful creation
needing sun and water
like the bud of a flower -
being nurtured with
warmth and encouragement.
Love in words
and every other human expression.

A child grows, thrives, loves, grows
Grows - a human *being* and a human *becoming*

If the child
receives
cold
chill
abuse or rejection
or even indifference -
the chill damages.
FROST.
Damaged creation.
That person will struggle
to open to the sun
struggle to relate
struggle to love
struggle to become
struggle reach potential.

I reach out to those who have failed to love.
And those who have been unable to love.

Emotional Literacy is all about reading signals.
Feelings are signals.


- Pip Wilson
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