Most adults strive to maintain a sense of safety and security for children by protecting them from the stress of life events. In 2020, we were faced with a world wide pandemic and no clear answers about how to navigate this challenge. Our lives were turned upside down. But it isn’t the first time we’ve faced a lack of clarity about what ‘to do’ during a challenge. Parents and teachers struggle to know how to navigate challenges with children every day.
The uncertainty of the situation leads to distress for human beings. It is a biological imperative of the human brain to identify and avoid danger; to know where the risk lies and to avoid it. The unknown may be harmful or fatal, so human beings seek to know, to be certain.
But the goal of protecting children might actually lead to more distress in the long term, because it doesn’t teach them the skills they need to identify, understand, express, and manage the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that arise when facing the challenges brought about by uncertainty.
In this workshop, participants will:
Learn the impact uncertainty has on the brain e.g., “why” we feel the way we do in the face of uncertainty
Examine adults common reactions to uncertainty and how they may actually heighten distress, e.g., “what” we typically do to navigate through uncertainty
Be introduced to a framework Laura developed called “The 4 A’s of Navigating Uncertainty” to learn a more effective approach to navigating uncertainty for both adults and children.
This training can be adapted for use by teachers and parents with children, for adults to help themselves, or for those working with families, e.g., family engagement. If you are looking for how to respond to uncertainty from a place of balanced calm, to respond in ways that will guide yourself and children through challenging times, you will benefit from this training.