Behavioral health for our

kids: Supporting them in

school and home
Dr. Denise Howley, LICSW, Ph.D.
Presentation to West Bridgewater SEPAC

Behavioral Health Initiative, North River

Collaborative, Rockland, MA

Building resilient kids.

Behavioral Health Initiative, North River

Collaborative, Rockland, MA

What is a model for raising resilient

children?
The Three Legged Stool

structure
consistenc
y

nurturanc
e

Behavioral Health Initiative, North River

Collaborative, Rockland, MA

STRUCTURE
WHAT is it?
Routines
Schedules
Responsibilities
Order
Predictability

WHY do we need it?

Builds self confidence
Reduces stress (for
child AND parent!)
Builds independence

Behavioral Health Initiative, North River

Collaborative, Rockland, MA

CONSISTENCY
WHAT is it?
Do the expected,
most of the time.
When something has
to change, explain.
Offer choices.
Develop a strong
attachment
Be you
Be safe and keep
your child safe

WHY do we need it?

Develops trust in
others

(Relationships)

Develops trust in self

(Self-Efficacy)

Minimizes

unexpected which
reduces
overwhelming skill
set.

(Self-Management)

Behavioral Health Initiative, North River

Collaborative, Rockland, MA

NURTURANCE
WHAT is it?
Love in action
Hugs and kisses
Bedtime stories and
songs
Specific praise
Belief in your child
Belief in yourself

WHY do we need it?

Love is the answer,
.
Builds self confidence
and self-reliance
Teaches relationship
skills
Teaches empathy

Behavioral Health Initiative, North River

Collaborative, Rockland, MA

The Human Brain

The center of all of our actions, feelings, judgments, passions and
dreams

A healthy brain is the key to

healthy and successful
living.
Behavioral Health Initiative, North River
Collaborative, Rockland, MA

Three Layers of the Brain

Neo-Cortex: Thinking Brain

Limbic System: Emotional Brain
Brain Stem: Life Brain

Behavioral Health Initiative, North River

Collaborative, Rockland, MA

Brain and Learning

Plasticity:
The brain is capable of
learning because of its
flexibility. It changes in
response to stimulation from
the environment.
The brain retains its plasticity
over the lifespan. And because
plasticity underlies learning,
we can learn at any stage of
life albeit in somewhat
different ways in the different
Behavioral Health Initiative, North River Collaborative,
stages.
Rockland, MA

5 Components of Social Emotional

Learning
SELF-AWARENESS

SELF-MANAGEMENT
SOCIAL AWARENESS

RELATIONSHIP SKILLS

RESPONSIBLE DECISION MAKING

Behavioral Health Initiative, North River Collaborative,
Rockland, MA

KINDERGARTEN, FIRST GRADE, SECOND GRADE

Self-Awareness: May be able to identify feelings

MAD or SAD,
but may not know why.
Self-Management is built on Self-Awareness.
Awareness of feelings and how they drive behaviors is
key to managing behaviors and mood.

Behavioral Health Initiative, North River Collaborative,

Rockland, MA

THIRD, FOURTH AND FIFTH GRADES

Self-Awareness- Able to identify emotions and the behaviors

they trigger as well as identify personal strengths and
weaknesses.
Self-Management-Able to control actions and emotions and
develop skills of impulse control, goal setting and perseverance.

Behavioral Health Initiative, North River Collaborative,

Rockland, MA

SIXTH, SEVENTH and EIGHTH GRADES

Self-Awareness: Tend to be more influenced by their emotions

and may not always be aware of how these emotions influence their
behavior.
Self-Management: Able to calm down when angry or frustrated.
Able to set and work toward goals both personal and academic.

Behavioral Health Initiative, North River Collaborative,

Rockland, MA

High School
Self-awareness: Its about knowing your emotions, strengths
and challenges, and how your emotions affect your behavior and
decisions.
It is key to managing actions and setting goals for the future,
and it is a skill that will help your child thrive. In high school,
your child may gain a better understanding of her strengths and
challenges and start making choices based on her abilities.
Self-management: You may notice your teen becoming less
volatile than she was at younger ages as she develops her selfmanagement.
Behavioral Health Initiative, North River
Collaborative, Rockland, MA

Resilience= the ability to

recover from or adjust
easily to misfortune or
change.

Behavioral Health Initiative, North River

Collaborative, Rockland, MA

How do we do this?
Dont accommodate every need.
Avoid eliminating all risk.
Teach problem solving.
Teach specific skills.
Ask how questions rather than why

questions.
Let your kids make mistakes.
Help them manage their emotions
Model resiliency
Behavioral Health Initiative,
North River Collaborative, Rockland, MA

Resources
Websites
CASEL.org (curriculums and programs that promote social emotional learning
Familydinnerproject.org
Aha!parenting.com
Social and Emotional Development-Parent Tool Kit (

www.parenttoolkit.com/index.cfm?objectid=50A8EC10-32D8-11E4-B03B0050569A531 )
Yes, this is a crazy address, but put it in and bookmark it, as there are a lot of other
things not related to social emotional development that use toolkit in the title.
Powerbraineducation.com (examples of exercises for mental, physical and emotional
health.

Books
Greene, R.W., The Explosive Child, Harper: NY (2014) fifth edition. (conflict negotiation
techniques)
Lee, I. Power Brain Kids. Sedona, AZ: Healing Society, 2007. (Physical games and
exercises for self-awareness and regulation. Fun!)
Reilly, N. Anxiety and Depression in the Classroom. WWNorton&Co.: NY (2015) (Activities
for helping children manage anxiety and depression- very step by step and clear).
Behavioral Health Initiative,
North River Collaborative, Rockland, MA