Last week Iulia and I identified several children whom we thought would benefit from a behavioral management program that focuses on controlling emotions. Based on the foundational ideas of the "Alert Program", we are meeting with these children in pairs to help them recognize their emotions, provide them with alternative strategies to dealing with their emotions, and implement those strategies during the day. This first week we had them talk about situations that induce different emotions and what they feel inside during those times. For the younger ones we did a couple role play scenarios that elicited happiness and anger. Then they drew faces of different emotions of their choice-- a very difficult task for all of them. Using a mirror with the younger ones definitely helped them see their facial features. Finally we had them throw a ball at the wall in a manner that corresponded with each of the emotions they drew. Overall the sessions were successful but it is evident Iulia and I have a long way to go with these children. They struggle not only with identifying their emotions, but also with simply talking about their emotions.
For our group activity this week I had the children make cards that they will (hopefully) deliver to children with disabilities or in the hospital. Some of the children found it difficult to think of something to say to these children or what they would want on a card if it was given to them. In order for them to make the cards they had to transport the supplies from one end of the room to the other by playing "Over-Under" as a team. They definitely made some interesting creations with all the materials, but I know they enjoyed the process (plus they did a great job sharing the supplies and using their manners). Some of them wanted to keep their cards at the end and we had to re-explain the purpose of the project. Clearly empathy is not something many of the children have developed. Later in the week some of the children played "duck-duck-goose" and went on a team scavenger hunt; again, to teach playing cooperatively and working as a team. Mixing the ages of the children worked extremely well this week and we will continue with this pattern for next week. Maybe in a couple weeks they'll be ready to play fairly and nicely with children their own age.
Each day I still meet with a couple children one-on-one. It's fun to see their excitement to play games such as "Trouble", "Memory Match", and "Connect Four" because they rarely get to sit down and have this interaction with someone. These games are also a great medium for teaching not to cheat, taking turns, being a humble winner, and expanding their attention span. I have also been challenging the children to use their imagination and create new designs when they build, color, or mold. My Italian has also been improving the more I interact with the children-- an added bonus for sure. The computer usage has been put on-hold as I await a computer with sound that can run the various educational games I brought.
Only three caregivers came to the meeting on Friday because of various reasons. I conducted the lesson with them and will do the same lesson with the others on Monday. We switched gears this week to talking about stress management and the importance of taking care of themselves as well as the children. I found it alarming to hear some of the responses when I asked about their stress at Casa Sperantei: crying, difficulty sleeping, constantly feeling tired, vomitting, and headaches to name a few. Some techniques I provided for them (which we did together) included purse-lipped breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, imagery, brief escape/pause from the situation, and smiling/laughter. I also suggested writing on a sheet of paper things that induce stress within their control and those out of their control, and also the major stressful behaviors of the children versus the minor irritating behaviors. This way they can evaluate their situations more clearly and realize that some things are not worth stressing over. Integrating these simple techniques into their daily routine will truly impact their health, emotional state, and relationships with others. But they actually have to use them in order for this to happen.
Scheduling continues to be a headache here, and it's easy to see why the children don't receive consisent attention. The volunteers this week and next week work with groups in several communities and bring a few of the children to these groups each day. I cannot complain about this because I think this integration is extremely important and helpful for the children here. However, Iulia and I don't know when/if they will go and when they will return each day, which makes our job more like a guessing game. And with the group of children returning from Italy this weekend we will have even more of a challenge managing the groups. But we are doing our best to give the children some sort of consistency, persistently pursuing the conduction of our various groups.
Through all of this I find myself reminded that the one thing the children truly need is to feel loved. That Iulia and I can toil day and night to change their behaviors, but none of that will matter if they do not know the love of Jesus. I must constantly recite Corinthians 13 in my head to remember what God's love looks like and how I can reflect this love. This is the greatest gift I can give and the most lasting impact I can make.
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