by Pennie Sempell
Witness the recent news about children ending their lives through suicide following stressful events at school, and abusive internet and Facebook communications. Not only were these children without the skills and support system to effectively communicate with the perpetuators, they did not know how to share the depth of their emotional distress with their parents. Or perhaps, their parents lacked skills in emotional “listening”.
Communication is so fundamental to our mental, social and physical well-being, yet so perplexing to master. How do we communicate? In many ways, most readily with words, tone of voice, body-language, by our actions and in our creative expressions. Learning how to communicate well is itself a complex process with significant ramifications for our success, or failure, in relationships.
Trends in education in our country have veered markedly towards reading, writing and arithmetic, and away from the arts. Expression through words (reading and writing) is emphasized, but without much focus on the trouble areas in communication, such as resolving conflicts, dealing with bullies, or problems at home. Unresolved conflicts lead to chronic stress. Chronic stress too often leads to a host of mental, emotional and physical disorders, as these recent tragedies so poignantly prove.
Self-awareness of what we are feeling, and learning to identify our emotions in words is one big first step in communication. That self-awareness is helped enormously by freedom in creative expression, where sub-conscious material can pop up to the surface for us to observe, like in dreams. If you have children at home, set up an art corner with colorful crayons, pencils and assortment of papers. Make costumes and act out skits. Kids love to perform this way, and what they “pretend” can tell volumes about what they are feeling. Listen, and be mindful not to criticize creative expressions. Encourage and actively support art in schools, for the many benefits entailed.
For us “big people”, creative expression remains an important tool for understanding ourselves, which is step #1 in effective communication and learning how to listen.
Working with physicians and psychologists at a major medical center, former teacher and mediator, Pennie Sempell, JD, ACMT specializes in integrative healing arts and mind-body therapies. She has written, performed and produced award-winning programs for children with a focus on health literacy. www.HealthierHappierLife.com.
Witness the recent news about children ending their lives through suicide following stressful events at school, and abusive internet and Facebook communications. Not only were these children without the skills and support system to effectively communicate with the perpetuators, they did not know how to share the depth of their emotional distress with their parents. Or perhaps, their parents lacked skills in emotional “listening”.
Communication is so fundamental to our mental, social and physical well-being, yet so perplexing to master. How do we communicate? In many ways, most readily with words, tone of voice, body-language, by our actions and in our creative expressions. Learning how to communicate well is itself a complex process with significant ramifications for our success, or failure, in relationships.
Trends in education in our country have veered markedly towards reading, writing and arithmetic, and away from the arts. Expression through words (reading and writing) is emphasized, but without much focus on the trouble areas in communication, such as resolving conflicts, dealing with bullies, or problems at home. Unresolved conflicts lead to chronic stress. Chronic stress too often leads to a host of mental, emotional and physical disorders, as these recent tragedies so poignantly prove.
Self-awareness of what we are feeling, and learning to identify our emotions in words is one big first step in communication. That self-awareness is helped enormously by freedom in creative expression, where sub-conscious material can pop up to the surface for us to observe, like in dreams. If you have children at home, set up an art corner with colorful crayons, pencils and assortment of papers. Make costumes and act out skits. Kids love to perform this way, and what they “pretend” can tell volumes about what they are feeling. Listen, and be mindful not to criticize creative expressions. Encourage and actively support art in schools, for the many benefits entailed.
For us “big people”, creative expression remains an important tool for understanding ourselves, which is step #1 in effective communication and learning how to listen.
Working with physicians and psychologists at a major medical center, former teacher and mediator, Pennie Sempell, JD, ACMT specializes in integrative healing arts and mind-body therapies. She has written, performed and produced award-winning programs for children with a focus on health literacy. www.HealthierHappierLife.com.
