INNER COACH
Emmet is is discouraged when he can’t catch a ball. He hates his feathers –he’s the worst. He tells himself he will never catch the ball … maybe he needs to listen to his inner coach.
Inner Coach
- Your inner coach is your own personal cheerleader- it helps you recognize when your worries are talking instead of you.
- Getting kids to listen to their inner coach is a great way of helping them develop skills to manage anxiety.
- We all have moments when we listen to our inner critic- the goal is to be able to recognize that that voice is your anxiety speaking.
- Your inner coach doesn’t guarantee you are going to win every time- your inner coach reminds you to keep going, try one more time, encourages you to keep going and push yourself to do what’s possible.
- Your inner coach can give you the courage to try something new, work through your worries and not let mistakes defeat you.
Parents
Watch the video below first, then watch the Inner Coach video as a family!
Activity:
With your child, figure out three statements their inner voice can say to squash their inner critic:
- I don’t know how – can simply become – I don’t know how yet
- I am dumb – can become – I am figuring things out still
- I can’t ( throw a ball etc…) – I am still learning how to throw a ball. And then get your child asking – who can I ask to help me learn this better?
Another activity is to watch a sporting event together. Point out the coaches, watch You Tube videos of how good coaches break things down to very small steps. Nobody is good at everything all at once. It is perseverance that makes things work.
When children gain a constructive inner voice, it not only helps their social and emotional skills, it creates a more intelligent being. Studies show that children who ask more questions, seek more help in school, and do far better academically.