Advocate for Children's Social & Emotional Needs!
I am an advocate for children. I was raised in a strict, Indian-American family. My parents emphasized academics and a proper education. However, there was a huge void in my life. I did not have my social or emotional needs met. I did not understand why I reacted in certain ways when I was bullied and/or needed to do something out of my comfort zone. I also felt like I didn't have any adult mentors to talk to when I was going through these types of problems.
I believe that all children can be empowered to understand what is happening with their minds and bodies. I also believe parents should help their children understand these important concepts because "it is not what you do for your children, but what you have taught them to do for themselves that will make them successful human beings" -Ann Landers.
The common school movement in the 1800s which later became the public school movement stated that all children had a right to an education and that schools (rather than parents) would make sure that children were learning how to read, write, and do arithmetics. That left parents with one responsibility: Socialization. How children would socialize in the world.
Today, parents play a very important role in making sure their children are equipped with the social and emotional skills they will need in their personal and professional lives. I hope that these worksheets empower parents and/or teachers to teach children these critical skills! I hope that children have someone in their lives that they can go for these types of important conversations!
