There has never been a more important time to consider what kids and teens need to thrive. Right now, many students are feeling anxious, sad, disappointed, angry, or withdrawn. Others seem fine or might even seem to be doing better. Regardless, as parents, particularly with more months ahead of distance learning, restricted social life, and an absence of scheduled activities, we worry about our kids’ mental health, their long-term development, and their future. How do we navigate these uncertain times to minimize the damage and to maximize optimal development? Is there anything we can do to create a buffer that protects our kids? And what if we as parents don’t feel like we have the capacity to parent well right now?
The good news is that over 50 years of cross-cultural research has proven pretty clearly what kids need most, both in “normal” times and when the world seems like it’s been turned upside down. In her book THE POWER OF SHOWING UP (co-authored with Dan Siegel), Dr. Bryson shares the latest brain and attachment research, which clearly demonstrates how best to make a difference in the lives of children we care about—we simply need to show up.
In this presentation, Dr. Bryson will discuss what showing up means, sharing stories and simple strategies for honoring the Four S’s (helping kids feel secure, seen, soothed, and safe). She’ll discuss practical advice for supporting anxious kids, hitting the reset button on parenting, and creating a safe harbor at home for children of all ages. Using her trademark warmth and humor, she’ll lead us in an exploration of how our whole community can thrive this school year, while also preparing ourselves for whatever comes next.
- Safe: We can’t always insulate a child from injury or hurt feelings. But when we give a child a sense of safe harbor, she will be able to take the needed risks for growth and change.
- Seen: Truly seeing a child means we pay attention to his emotions–both the positive and the negative–and strive to attune to what’s happening in his mind beneath his behavior.
- Soothed: Soothing isn’t about providing a life of ease, but instead teaching your child how to cope when life gets hard, and showing him that you’ll be there with him along the way.
- Secure: When you reliably provide safety, focus on seeing her, and soothe her in times of need, she will trust in a feeling of secure attachment. And thrive!
Dr. Tina Payne Bryson is the author of Bottom Line for Baby (Random House 2020) and co-author (with Dan Siegel) of THE POWER OF SHOWING UP (Random House 2020) and THE YES BRAIN (Random House 2018), as well as two New York Times bestsellers — THE WHOLE-BRAIN CHILD (Random House 2011), and NO-DRAMA DISCIPLINE (Random House 2014) — each of which has been translated into over forty languages.
Tina is a psychotherapist and the Founder/Executive Director of The Center for Connection, a multidisciplinary clinical practice, and of The Play Strong Institute, a center devoted to the study, research, and practice of play therapy through a neurodevelopment lens. She is the Child Development Specialist at Saint Mark’s School in Altadena, the Director of Parenting Education at the Mindsight Institute, the Director for Child Development for Camp Chippewa in Cass Lake, Minnesota, and the Child Development Director for Lantern Camps. Tina is a graduate of Baylor University and earned her LCSW and Ph.D. from the University of Southern California, where her research explored attachment science, childrearing theory, and the emerging field of interpersonal neurobiology.
GPS Take 5: Parent Preview – Tina Payne Bryson on The Power of Showing Up (YouTube)
Tina Payne Bryson’s web site HERE
