Fourth Grade

The fourth grade guidance class is using the Second Step Program to teach students about empathy, impulse control and problem solving, and anger management.  The first unit is focused on building empathy since it is key to positive relationships and the ability to understand others' perspectives.  Children, and adults for that matter, have better relationships and are less likely to be involved in conflicts that result in someone being hurt either emotionally or physically.

Learning to be more empathic helps one to read the nonverbal body cues and facial expressions that identify how another feels.  Children learn that their feelings and preferences can conflict and change over time and that others can feel very differently from you about the same situation. they also learn to show compassion and concern for others, reaching out in appropriate ways so that others feel a sense of connection with you and recognize you care.  When we are connected and understand how someone might feel differently than we do, we are less likely to jump to conclusions and more likely to perceive that person as a friend.

Second Step has been in use at Central for several years.  We see its positive impact when students begin practicing the skills and strategies that can build friendships.  We hope that you see some of these skills being practiced at home.

Ideas for home use:

• Encourage your child to talk about feelings.  Having a diverse feeling vocabulary helps your child to articulate what is going on for him/her.

• Help him/her to switch perspectives by asking: how do you think your sister/brother/friend felt when you said that or when that happened?

• Point out how their feelings about a given situation or event may have changed over time, e.g. When you first started swim class you were worried about getting water up your nose; now I see you enjoying yourself in the water and even diving.

• Children can have conflicting feelings about the same situation, e.g. going to a sleepover can produce both excited and nervous feelings.  Its' normal to have both.

• Talk about the ways that your child can change how he/she feels, e.g. when you are lonely, you can choose to read, call a friend, ride your bike, play with the dog, invite someone over, etc. 

We can change our feelings by changing our thoughts about what has, or will, happen.  When we are worried about an upcoming event, we can tell ourselves, "I can handle this. I'll take some deep breaths and take it one step at a time." 

Please Email Madelyn Nash if you have questions or comments about this page.
 

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Last updated October 25, 2007