More than 85 teachers from across the city gathered at Sri Sri Academy in Alipore on Saturday to attend a workshop on ‘Proactive approach on handling adolescent behaviour’ by psychologist Salony Priya.
Teachers from St James’ School, The Frank Anthony Public School, St Lawrence High School, Birla High School, Delhi Public School Newtown, Bhavan’s Gangabux Kanoria Vidyamandir, South Point High School besides other schools like Ek Prayas run by non-government organisations took part in the workshop.
Dealing with Adolescent Behaviour
The seven-hour workshop organised by Ummeed Foundation in association with Sri Sri Academy, was divided into two modules. The first module dealt with topics such as IQ and EQ in the world of artificial intelligence, positive psychological approach, good mental health indicators and understanding behaviour modification. The second module was about socio-cultural impact on behaviour of the adolescent, social skills for millennial youth, emotional spectrum of children and youth, skill-based interventions and teaching social skills.
Interactive session
Teachers gained knowledge about handling emotional fits and anger in adolescents
Through interactive sessions, charts and activities, Salony Priya addressed the batch of teachers about several aspects of dealing with an adolescent. Speaking about adolescent frustration and anger, she said: “There are quite a few ways of handling an angry adolescent. We need to show empathy and keep calm while talking to them. We cannot handle anger with anger. Blaming, yelling or interrogating the child rudely will do no good.”
Replying to a question on attention-seeking actions of adolescents by slitting of wrists, Salony Priya explained: “The child is seeking attention by this act is partially true. But there is a reason behind why they are doing it. Their emotional pain goes unnoticed and at some point, it gets so worse that they need to show it to someone. So they resort to such acts where physical pain is exhibited and they get help.”
She also busted the myth that behaviour is genetic. She said: “Someone’s behaviour cannot be picked up from their genes. We can’t say that the child behaves a certain way because it is in their blood. The child may get influenced by the surroundings and their parents but behaviour cannot be determined by genes. Behaviour is learnt and can be unlearned too.”
We can’t say that the child behaves a certain way because it is in their blood
Salony Priya
Simple exercises
Salony Priya taught breathing exercises to the teachers to help them align their thoughts and cusping hands that helps children calm down
She showed the teachers the method of cusping that helps children calm down making them feel safe, gradually winning their trust. In this method, the child is asked to put their hands on the teacher’s hands. The teacher then has to use their thumb to gently press their palms to make them relax. Then calmly looking into their eyes the child must be told that he/she is safe and understood. They have support and they aren’t alone.
Salony Priya also taught breathing exercises to the teachers to help them align their thoughts.
Participants took part in group activities to get first-hand experience of adolescent behaviour management and develop insight into the skills required to use while guiding youth. Ummeed Foundation is holding various workshops in West Bengal and outside.
Importance of educating teachers about Mental Health
Speaking about the importance of the workshop, Salony Priya, the founder and director of Ummeed Foundation, said: “Teachers are the backbone of the society. They mould the future. Also, they are considered easily approachable. Therefore, students and parents both come to them with their issues. So it is important for the teachers to learn about adolescent behaviour and mental health. They are the ones spending most of the time with children outside home. If teachers are skilled enough, the imparting of knowledge becomes more holistic.”
Most teachers of Sri Sri Academy joined the workshop on Saturday to learn better techniques of handling teenagers. Munmun Nandi, a senior English teacher from the school, said: “It was an enriching session with Salony Priya. She has busted many myths for us and taught us simple hacks to handle teenagers nowadays. I personally will use some of her techniques almost immediately.”
Megha Bhattacharya, special educator, DPS Newtown, also attended the workshop to learn new skills. Sharing her experience, she said: “The way Salony ma’am explains, all concepts become very clear. These workshops are very necessary in today's time when the children are exposed to so many things. The communication gap between them and us should not create barriers that can never be bridged.”
At the end of the workshop, every participant received a certificate issued jointly by Sri Sri Academy and Ummeed Foundation.