Parent Magazine Volusia/Flagler June 2019 | Page 19

Here’s some good news for parents! There are simple needs of others. You’ll give them alternative behaviors
everyday activities to add to daily routines that will to use when a potentially problematic situation arises.
build these important skills. Let’s take a closer look at
Perspective Taking.
You may find that returning to an earlier problem and
talking it through after the fact is more beneficial than
Perspective taking is more than empathy—feeling sorry trying to teach the skill in “the heat of the moment.”
for another person. It’s also about figuring out how Children who feel safe and accepted are more able
others think and feel. Children learn to understand the to enter into problem-solving discussions than those
intent of other’s actions and this often avoids conflict. who feel harshly judged and “wrong or bad.” It’s good
All of us prefer to spend time with people who are
tuned in to our point of view. We tend to avoid those
who are critical or highly competitive. We want to be
to remember that feelings are not wrong in and of
themselves, but it’s the way we act on them that can
cause conflict.
with those who understand us. Children who can go Here are some ways to enter into conversation with
beyond their own needs and care about the needs your child to build the skill of perspective-taking.
and problems of others will be more successful in
both learning and building friendships. This is called
“understanding the other.”
» » Ask leading questions such as “What could that
person be thinking? Feeling?”
» » Practice problem-solving in steps. What is the
HOW TO PROMOTE PERSPECTIVE TAKING
problem? What do we want? What can we do? And
By being intentional in developing perspective taking
in your children, you’ll give them many opportunities
to recognize and practice the skill of understanding the
did we succeed? You might want to make a simple
chart to use when walking through a real-life
conflict.
SUMMER CAMPS 2019
C
ps
will receive your lifetime SSI World Wide SCUBA certification. SCUBA instructors
k-long camp consisting of classroom work, pool time and five checkout dives at
ses and complete skill requirements to obtain certification. Textbooks, rental
ts must provide their own mask, fins, snorkel, weight and weight belt. Mandatory
V O L U S I A A N D F L A G L E R H E A LT H A N D W E L L N E S S M A G A Z I N E | 19
the Aquatic Center at [phone].
DaytonaState.edu/SummerCamps