1. KIDS TURN TEACHING SKILLS TO NAVIGATE DIFFICULT EMOTIONS

2. Kids Turn Agenda I. Welcome and IntroductionsII. About Kids TurnIII. Future Direction Emotional IntelligenceIV. Q & Aslide number 3. KIDS TURNThe ProblemParental separation is an epidemic in the United States. Fifty percent of all children in the United States experienceparental separation before the age of eighteen.All childhood difficulties (developmental, academic, medical, psychological, etc.) have a tangential relationship to and are magnified by parental divorce or separation 2 4. KIDS TURNThe Response Research conducted in the 1990s verified that children whose parents separate fare just as well as their non-divorce peers when their families participate in quality divorce education programs.When Kids Turn was founded in 1988, it was one of the first divorce education programs in the United States.Kids Turn continues to be the only divorce education service in the San Francisco Bay Area.Since its founding, Kids Turn has served nearly 17,000 Bay Area children and parents in the immediate Bay Area.3 5. KIDS TURNThe Programs Parent Child Workshop* -- six week attendance commitment requiring simultaneous attendance by parents and children. (Re-named, The Kids Turn Way)Early Years** six week attendance commitment for parents only of infants, toddlers and pre-schoolersNext Step four week attendance commitment for parents and children evolving into a step-family configurationNonviolent Family Skills Program violence-free parent education for youth and adults offered over fourteen weeksGrandparent Seminar Full day seminar for grandparents who want to help their grandchildren during parental separation*Available in English, Spanish and Chinese **Available in English and Spanish 4 6. KIDS TURNProgram GoalsGOAL: Reduce Conflict in Families GOAL: Help Parents re-engage with their parenting duties GOAL: Offer children a safe place to discuss the family changes and to learn enhanced communication skills GOAL: Build Emotional Literacy skills (self-awareness, identification and modulation of emotions, openness to new ideas, creative problem solving, etc.) in all participants 6 7. KIDS TURN Distinctive CharacteristicsEvidence Based(Longitudinal study over four years by Dr. Jeffrey Cookston, SF State University,Contact at: cookston@sfsu.edu)Six Week Attendance Requirement Parent/Child Attendance Requirement Educational (not therapy) format Skill Building Most Recent Added Elements of Emotional Intelligence7 8. KIDS TURNNew DirectionIn 2004, Kids Turn was jolted out of a predictable existence and given an extraordinary opportunity to update its services making them more contemporary.With funding from the founder of CNET, we committed to a project to revise the core services infusing elements of Emotional Intelligence into our existing services.The revised curriculum documents are named: The Kids Turn Way. 8 9. KIDS TURN Why EQ? Definition: Ability to manage ones emotions in a healthy and productive manner.ContemporaryEQ answers the question: Now what?EQ broadens the appeal of our services to include those families who are similarly situated to families experiencing divorce or separation. (Ex: never marrieds; never lived together.)EQ offers vibrant program delivery that is interactive and stimulating (contrasted with the original curriculum material that was very didactic.)EQ skills have application beyond divorce or separation (relationships at work, friendships, neighbors, etc.)9 10. KIDS TURNThe EQ Ladder 5. Manage Relationships4. Identify Emotions in Others3. Motivation for healthy relationships2. Manage your emotions1. Identify your emotions 10 11. KIDS TURN 1. Identify and 2. Manage your EmotionsI. Identify (name) your Emotions:II. Manage your EmotionsEx: Parallel (Reverse) Parking makes Ex: I can use alternative transportation me feel: ________________________ 11 12. KIDS TURNApplication to Divorce or SeparationIdentify When I have to: I Feel:See my childs Other Parent (OP) _____________Exchange my child with the OP_____________Communicate with the OP_____________Manage As an alternative, I can: I am in control of what I think and feel! 12 13. KIDS TURNManage Emotions (cont.) --The Six Second PauseThe Six Second Pause serves as a skill for emotional self regulation. 13 14. KIDS TURNThe Six Second Pause Emotions ahead of intellect:IntellectEmotions 14 15. KIDS TURNThe Six Second PauseIntellect and Emotions working harmoniously:IntellectEmotions 15 16. KIDS TURNActivity: The Six Second PauseWhen Life Plays Tricks Count to Six 1. __________________ 2. __________________ 3. __________________ 4. __________________ 5. __________________ 6. __________________ 16 17. KIDS TURN3. Motivation for Healthy EmotionsReasons I want to have healthy emotions:1.2.3. I am my childs first teacher!17 18. KIDS TURN4. Identify Emotions in OthersThe ability to monitor the emotions of others, can help guide your thinking and actions. 18 19. KIDS TURN5. ManageRelationships The Adjustment Rating ScaleThe ability to gauge and manage emotions and emotional intensity canheighten the skills necessary to navigate difficult emotional experiences. 19 20. KIDS TURN I cant tell you how much Kids Turn has helped me. It has opened up my mind toalternative ways of thinking about my situation. Summer, 2009 program graduate. Additional ElementsHopeOptimismFuture Thinking Where do I sign up for the next class? 7 year old participant 20 21. KIDS TURN SUMMARY Q&A 55 New Montgomery, Suite 500 San Francisco, CA 94105Phone: (415) 777-9977 Fax: (415) 777-f1577 www.kidsturn.orgClaire N. Barnes, MA Executive Director kidsturn@earthlink.netOver 17,000 Participants Since 1988