Presentation by Claire Barnes Executive Director of Kids' Turn http://www.kidsturn.org

1. KIDS’ TURN
TEACHING SKILLS TO NAVIGATE DIFFICULT EMOTIONS

2. Kids’ Turn
Agenda
I. Welcome and Introductions
II. About Kids’ Turn
III. Future Direction –
Emotional Intelligence
IV. Q & A
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3. KIDS’ TURN
The Problem
•Parental separation is an epidemic in the United States.
• Fifty percent of all children in the United States experience
parental 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
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4. KIDS’ TURN
The Response
Research conducted in the 1990’s 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.
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5. KIDS’ TURN
The 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-schoolers
Next Step – four week attendance commitment for parents and children
evolving into a step-family configuration
Nonviolent Family Skills Program – violence-free parent education
for youth and adults offered over fourteen weeks
Grandparent 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
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6. KIDS’ TURN
Program Goals
GOAL: 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
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7. KIDS’ TURN
Distinctive Characteristics
Evidence 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 Intelligence
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8. KIDS’ TURN
New Direction
In 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.
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9. KIDS’ TURN
Why EQ?
Definition: Ability to manage one’s emotions in a healthy and
productive manner.
Contemporary
EQ 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.)
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10. KIDS’ TURN
The EQ Ladder
5. Manage Relationships
4. Identify Emotions in Others
3. Motivation for healthy
relationships
2. Manage your emotions
1. Identify your emotions
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11. KIDS’ TURN
1. Identify and 2. Manage your Emotions
I. Identify (name) your Emotions: II. Manage your Emotions
Ex: Parallel (Reverse) Parking makes Ex: I can use alternative transportation
me feel: ________________________
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12. KIDS’ TURN
Application to Divorce or Separation
Identify
When I have to: I Feel:
See my child’s 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!
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13. KIDS’ TURN
Manage Emotions (cont.) --The Six Second Pause
The Six Second Pause serves as a skill for emotional self regulation.
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14. KIDS’ TURN
The Six Second Pause
Emotions ahead of intellect:
Intellect
Emotions
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15. KIDS’ TURN
The Six Second Pause
Intellect and Emotions working harmoniously:
Intellect Emotions
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16. KIDS’ TURN
Activity: The Six Second Pause
When Life Plays Tricks Count to Six
1. __________________
2. __________________
3. __________________
4. __________________
5. __________________
6. __________________
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17. KIDS’ TURN
3. Motivation for Healthy Emotions
Reasons I want to have healthy emotions:
1.
2.
3. I am my child’s first teacher!
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18. KIDS’ TURN
4. Identify Emotions in Others
The ability to monitor the emotions of
others, can help guide your thinking and
actions.
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19. KIDS’ TURN
5. Manage Relationships – The Adjustment Rating Scale
The ability to gauge and manage emotions and emotional intensity can
heighten the skills necessary to navigate difficult emotional experiences.
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20. KIDS’ TURN
I can’t tell you how much Kids’ Turn has helped me. It has opened up my mind to
alternative ways of thinking about my situation. Summer, 2009 program graduate.
Additional Elements
Hope
Optimism
Future Thinking
Where do I sign up for the next class? 7 year old participant
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21. KIDS’ TURN
SUMMARY
Q&A
55 New Montgomery, Suite 500
San Francisco, CA 94105
Phone: (415) 777-9977
Fax: (415) 777-f1577
www.kidsturn.org
Claire N. Barnes, MA
Executive Director
kidsturn@earthlink.net
Over 17,000 Participants Since 1988