TIPS FOR MAKING A CONNECTION

Transcription

1 TIPS FOR MAKING A CONNECTION WAIT for the right time. You might be excited to read this book with your child but it s important to introduce it at the best time for the best results. Choose a time that s part of a familiar catch-up between you. If you don t already have one, establish this practice for a few weeks beforehand. This way the child will anticipate your time together and feel more comfortable. Be sure to choose a time with minimal distractions or interruptions. This includes making sure they are not hungry, thirsty or overtired. Know the book and create interest before you read it... for example, you might like to use the maze on the back cover first and see if you can solve it. When reading the book, sit next to the child rather than across, and keep eye contact to a minimum this is less confronting and it also allows you to help colour in images. Keep your tone interested and curious; not interrogatory. Allow them to turn the pages, begin conversations and ask questions. Be emotionally available and present, but don t press them to talk. Prompt and initiate conversation by offering your own experiences or observations of the images but then be sure to sit back and listen. Silence is ok. Maintain your presence. If the child reveals an emotion or experience that you can relate to, connect with them and recognise their feeling. Wow that must have been fun... did you get a photo? or I remember starting a new school. You can offer your own experiences but keep them short and relevant. PLEASE Remember: If while reading this book an upsetting emotion is stirred, comfort the young person but do not probe for details or ask leading questions. Consult the childs mental health specialist and contact state child protection services to make any necessary reports. Untwist Page 1 of 8

2 HOW TO USE UNTWIST Illustrate Pages + Personalise the book Read, Draw + Colour the images Tell a story Engage with #hashtags Sit. Talk. Colour. Connect. Print copies of pages 4, 5, & 6. Start out with the All About Me template on page 4 :. INSIDE COVER: Let the child write their name and personalise the page how and where they want. It s their book to keep. CAR REAR WINDOW: Consider times of leaving or arriving between places. Themes: Opportunity and anticipation. Grief and loss. Who do you text? Where would you like to go? CITY STREET: Change can bring uncertainty. Mixed emotions. Lack of control. Wouldn t it be cool if you could rewrite rules? What would you change? What places could you put on the street sign? Think of and list some places you would like to go (anywhere in the world) on page 5. ** White out correction fluid pens work well on this page. DIFFERENT : Brainstorm what s different with your new situation? Different food, bed, TV, people? Find examples that are positive too maybe discovering a new hobby, exploring a new place; beach, country side, making a new friend MOON: The night sky offers a rich conversation starter. Share stories about the outdoors. Locate stars. Moon shapes. Constellations. Have you ever seen a falling star? Who do you hang the moon for? SCHOOL: Identify the challenges a new school can present. Highlight some of the advantages. Who is your favourite teacher? What makes them cool? Who could you talk to if things weren t OK? If you could design a school, what would you change? SUNSET: Discuss the continuity that sunrises and sunsets present sense of hope and new beginnings. When did you last see the sunset? Have you seen a sunrise? SHOWER: Brainstorm the little things you can do that make you feel good Write your own ideas on the tiles. (Eg; running your toes through sand, putting on new socks, when a friend posts a good picture of you, laughing til it hurts, seeing a rainbow, popping bubble wrap, getting a discount) Instagram your page. Discuss the concept of being mindful and self aware- checking in with yourself. How do you do it? Do you use an APP? Untwist Page 2 of 8

3 RECONNECT: What are some Special Moments you have had? Write them on the post it note page 5. They say we take between 17,000-23,000 breaths a day. Insane fact. Be aware of breathing in and out. See if you can notice your breath. [Challenge: Can you breathe in for 7 counts but out for 11 counts? It takes a long a steady exhale! How much is your tummy sticking out the end?] SKY: Our life and feelings are always changing. Brainstorm the ways the sky can change and how cool it can be. Brainstorm the way our feelings can change. All of these changes can happen in a day! If you are having a tough time- remember this feeling will pass- hang in there. Just like the sky, the feeling will pass. Feelings are like waves in the ocean, choose the ones you want to surf - When things are tough you can bring your focus to something that makes you feel good or something you are looking forward to. MUSIC: There s a famous quote: When words fail- music speaks. Who is your favourite band? What is your favourite song? Do you know all the words to any songs? Can you sing me one? What s your favourite playlist? What 5 songs would you put on a play list? Get out the colour pencils or glitter pens. Instagram it. IPHONES: Encourage your child to write their own favourite things in the text boxes. You can expand this by asking more open ended questions such as: If you went on a road trip with any person- who would it be- where would you go? If you could have any kind of pet, what would you have? What s your favourite movie? In ten years from now, what would your dream job be? EMOJI FACE: How many emojis do you think are in that picture? There are so many different emotions and feelings that one person can have! Sometimes all within a few minutes. What are your most used emojis? Have you designed one? JETTY BOYS: Who can you count on? What makes a good friend? Can you write the names of people that care about you around the circle? Who do you like to hang out with? Complete the Things I Love page 5. ( chocolate, xbox, summer, new apps?). THINK BIG: Imagine. What is something that would be really cool to have, see or do? What do you dream about doing? THINK BIGGER: Reimagine What would be even more awesome? Think surreal. Fantasy. Write your dream in the text box. The following pages include printable templates and examples of young peoples creations as they have engaged with UNTWIST. Untwist Page 3 of 8

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7 PERSONALISE THE BOOK SIT. TALK + CONNECT Untwist Page 7 of 8

8 a COLOUR THE IMAGES Its ALL About Me Untwist Page 8 of 8