Lecture 17:Child And Adolescences Health Flashcards
The philosophy of child honoring
Is a holistic philosophy involving a children-first approach to healing communities and restoring ecosystems.
It views how we regard and treat our young as the key to + building a humane and sustainable world
+ organizing society around the priority needs of its youngest members
Child honoring starts with 3
- the primacy of early years
- we face planetary degradation -> endangers the young
- call for a systemic response
the nine guiding principles for honouring the child.
respectful love
diversity
caring community
conscious parenting
emotional intelligence
nonviolence
safe environments
sustainability
ethical commerce
respectful love
respect children as whole people and to encourage them to know their own voices.
-> instills self-worth; it’s the prime nutrient in human development.
diversity
Diversity is about abundance: of human dreams, intelligences, cultures, and cosmologies; of earthly splendours and ecosystems.
biodiversity and human diversity at an early age builds on their innate curiosity.
caring community
Caring Community refers to the “village” it takes to raise a child.
e.g: Child-friendly shopkeepers, family resource centres, green schoolyards, bicycle lanes, and pesticide-free parks
conscious parenting
begins with empathy for newborns.
Elementary and secondary schools could teach nurturant parenting (neither permissive nor oppressive) and provide insight into the child-rearing process.
emotional intelligence
a time for exploring emotions in a safe setting, learning about feelings and how to express them.
=> Emotional management builds character and is more important to later success than IQ.
e.g: Cooperation, play, and creativity all foster the “EQ”
Nonviolence
It means more than the absence of aggression; it means living with compassion.
it means no corporal punishment, no humiliation, no coercion
safe environments
protection from the toxic influences that permeate modern life–from domestic neglect and maltreatment, to the corporate manipulations of their minds, to the poisonous chemicals entering their bodies.
=>Safe Environments foster a child’s feeling of security and belonging.
sustainability
not merely to conservation of resources, renewable energy development, and anti-pollution laws.
need to build social capacity by investing in their young citizens, harnessing the productive power of a contented heart.
ethical commerce
includes a revolution in the design, manufacture and sale of goods; corporate reform; “triple bottom line” business; full-cost accounting; tax and subsidy shifts; political and economic cycles that reward long-term thinking.
=> enable a restorative economy devoted to the well being of the very young.
F.A.I.L
FIRST ATTEMPT IN LEARNING
How depression and ADHD are linked 3
overlapping symptoms
ADHD doesn’t cause depression, but peopl with ADHD are at 4 times the risk
Dopamine dysregulation is associated with ADHD and can lead to depression
ADHD Differcence 5
mood lability
difficulty regulating attention & focus
craves novelty
hyperactivity & impulsivity
hyperfocus
Depression difference5
depressed mood (sad, empty, hopeless)
loss of pleasure
may withdraw from people and activities that once provided pleasure and meaning
feelings of worthlessness, and excessive guilt
feeling physically slowed down
Data on children and mental illness
- Few receive appropriate treatment
- Most have their onset during childhood or adolescence (before 25)
Second leading cause of death for young people 15-24
suicide
ADHD and Depression Common
sleep issues
appetite changes
self-esteem impacted
self-efficacy impacted
psychomotor agitation
negative beliefs
Difficulty with focus
higher rates of substance use
time perception impacted
higher rates of GI issues
rejection sensitivity
muscle tension
The etiology to mental health illness (environment,6 )
Familial history
Challenges with understanding and processing feelings, thoughts, emotions
Internalizing of stress (e.g. academic, friend conflicts…)
Loss or conflict with close friends or family members
Dating relationship ending
Bullying and/or social exclusion
The etiology to mental health illness (personal experience, 4)
Discrimination, stigma and/or personal journey with sexual identity
Social / systemic racism and injustice
Stressful, traumatic life event
Physical or medical issues, for example, becoming pregnant or having a sexually transmitted infection
Signs and symptoms of suicide 6-6
Boredom and lack of routine
Changes with eating or sleeping habits
Developing personality changes or being severely anxious or agitated,
Having mood swings, such as being emotionally high one day and deeply discouraged the next
Dropping grades
Reckless behavior
Disinterest in favorite hobbies and activities
Substance use
Isolation from friends and family
Talking about feeling hopeless or trapped
Talking about being a burden to others or not belonging e.g. “I wish I hadn’t been born”
How depression and ADHD are linked 3
share some overlapping symptoms
ADHD doesn’t cause depression >< but people with ADHD are at higher risk
Dopamine dysregulation is associated with ADHD and can lead to depression
Two step strategy for mindful emotion regulation
Name the emotion to help the child become aware of it; separate the child from the
emotion
Hold space to feel the emotion, and then recenter via one (or all):
* Comfort/affection
* Giving the child space
* Silliness/playfulness
Long-term suppression/repression of emotions is linked to: 4
impaired immune function
anxiety and depression
chronic disease (e.g. IBD, autoimmune)
communication and relationship issues later in life
Learning how identity of emotions so that they respond instead of reacting
When children are “in” the moment of being angry, anxious, crying, etc, it is not the ideal teachable moment (their limbic system is in overdrive and there is no connection to the frontal cortex for higher functional capacity)…wait for them to calm down.
Anger is a ____________– not good or bad.
boundary defense, natural emotion
Anger teaches us to 2
- say no
- saying yes to yourself
Repressed anger increases the risk of suffering from mental health issues including 5
depression
paranoia
subjugation
Quiet Borderline Personality Disorder
passive aggressive behavior
Internalized (repressed) anger can stem from 2
childhood trauma or social conditioning
Repression is
involves unconsciously blocking unwanted thoughts or impulses
Suppression is
is deliberately trying to forget or not think about painful or unwanted thoughts.
Understand children’s emotional needs 4
unconditional love and acceptance
allow access to all emotions
don’t repress emotions
validate all emotions (sadness, anger)
How can we optimize the emotional wellness of children in the early years
Make the first three years as stress-free as possible, free of psychological trauma -> work on healing your trauma and relationship
Understand their emotional needs
how to raise kids who are good at getting angry (for parents) 7
role model healthy anger
control your emotions: stay calm
don’t give in to demands
praise when they calm themselves down / express anger in a calm manner
identify triggers, problem-solving, self-regulation
help with the navigation of emotions and “healthy” expression of anger
behavior correction ”in the moment” is unsuccessful – the brain is in flight-or-flight (amygdala)
How can a child express anger in a healthy way?
Rip paper
Pop bubble wrap
Squish playdough
Wrap your arms around yourself and squeeze
Write a letter to someone
Jump on a trampoline
Do wall push-ups
Write down what’s bothering you and rip it up
Squeeze a stress ball
Talk about it
Scribble on paper and crumple it up
Do jumping jacks
Put the palms of your hands together, push and release
Do stretches
Do a hookup
Resilience is
is not resistance to suffering. It’s the capacity to bend without breaking.
Fostering coping skills 7
Reliable presence of at least one relationship
Support problem solving
Reframe the disappointment
Allowing your children to F.A.I.L.
Facing fear – with support
Nurture optimism
Encourage communication of needs, feelings, and thoughts
Building Lifestyle for resilience 8
Establish routines
Regulate sleep routine
Optimize nutrition for brain health
Connect with nature
Move regularly
Foster self-esteem and self-concept through physical activity
Mastery of a skill
Fostering relationships with peers, coaches, teachers, family…
Foster spirituality
Resilience message
- reframe perspective: positive appraisal: view failure as lessons
- reclaim control: self-efficacy: growth mindset and seek solutions
- regain confidence: self-esteem
- request support: strong support system
What is spirituality 3
Spirituality exists independent of religion
Awareness of unified connectedness, sense of purpose; deeper discovery; life is bigger than you; awe
Connection with something bigger than yourself
Different forms of spirituality8
Breathwork.
Meditation or quiet time.
New age spirituality.
Prayer.
Service to their community.
Spending time in nature.
Spiritual retreats.
Yoga.
Benefits of awe
- Are born with spiritual core -> need to build this muscle
- Awakened mind => deeper awareness connection, purpose in life
- Developed spiritual core -> less likely to suicide and be addicted
How can we instill spiritual values in our children
celebration with family and community
connection to our inner self – movement, meditation
curiosity of nature, gardening
expression through writing, art, music, movement
journaling, vision board
connecting with animals
love of service – altruism
love of neighbour - inclusion
