Help Heal Hurting Children

“What’s up?” “Sweetie, you seem upset about something. Want to talk for a minute?”

Hi and welcome back to Attentionology for K – 5 Teachers!

When you welcome students back to school after a long holiday weekend or vacation time…

…you have a big opportunity to help heal hurting children!

Let’s face it…the world can be a scary or lonely place at times.

Research cites distressing numbers of children who go hungry when they’re away from school, face abuse, and endure other hurtful hardships.

Most adults have developed strategies for managing stressful situations and feelings of loneliness, but many of us still need “a shoulder to lean on” sometimes.

Experienced educators know that children are less skilled at dealing with negative feelings.

Hurting children – all children – benefit from guidance we can offer, including the admission that we sometimes feel hurt and lonely too.

Hurt and loneliness know no age limit.

Any gesture that communicates care will catch and keep kids’ attention.

Use gentle humor to help hurting children heal.

Share my funny poem that addresses worry with your whole class or in a one-on-one conversation with a child who seems upset…

Worry-Free

Dennis B

vowed that he

would live his life 

worry-free.

Whenever a problem

tested his resolve,

Dennis B said,

“Problems can be solved.”

“Worry only slows us down,”

Dennis said with poise,

“Let’s figure out solutions,

instead of making noise.

Grinding our teeth

until our jaws are sore,

will only make us

worry more!”

“Simply put,” said Dennis B,

“I feel much better

worry-free.”

 Help heal hurting children by introducing loneliness busters. (more…)