Intro to Trauma Competent Care
Connection Strategies Lesson 7
GOAL: To discuss specific connection strategies (connecting not disconnecting) and principles. There is a correlation between our emotional connection to a child and our tolerance of their behavior. Our connection to a child helps her get back the ability to use her voice to communicate, instead of disruptive behavior.
• Play is a child’s language. • Play is a powerful way to build connection. • Play is the way in which children form loving, trusting relationships.
2. YES!
When children are engaged in transformative play, they build healing relationships with the key people in their lives. This type of play enables children to build resilience, the ability to recover from challenge, in the midst of difficult life situations. Children from CUTS have experienced a lifetime of “No.” Find as many opportunities as you can throughout the day to say “Yes!” to your children. • Offering a Child Choices “ Would you prefer an apple or a banana?” “Yes, you may have that!” “ Would you like to wear the green shirt or the blue shirt today?” “Yes, you may wear that one - I love that color on you!” •“Yes… but” rather than “No” “May I have a cookie?” “I love cookies too, that sounds good! It’s important we eat our dinner first but then we can have a cookie afterward.”
3. SAMENESS
1. PLAY
Intentional Strategies to Build Connection:
No matter how small it seems, when we share something in common with another person, it creates instant connection! • Are you and a child named the same name? • Do you like the same food? • Do you watch the same sports?
When we feel connected with someone a whole new world of communication can open and children can begin to use their voices with the safe adults in their world!
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