January 11 — GOSHEN — One of the ways the Goshen Boys and Girls Club is working to create a balanced future citizenry is by teaching children to control their emotions.
Since 2017, the club has boasted a sensory room where adults can bring students, individuals, or groups to describe their emotional states and teach the children in the club how to regulate those emotions. . Since then, the room has been installed in every club in Elkhart County.
Last week, the Goshen Club added another layer to its development of social-emotional wellness for its young clients. This is the regulation station located in the lobby of the club building.
“Children often need a space that helps them regulate their emotions, and it’s a little quieter than a game room,” said Natasha Lantz, director of mental health services for Elkhart County Boys and Girls Clubs. “We need a place with less stimulation.” not necessarily.”
Lantz, a former club social worker, explained that her title at the club was newly established and stemmed from the club’s increased functionality to help promote the well-being of the children it serves. The idea for the Regulation Station came when we were looking at ways to create a space that could be seen by the club’s adult leaders. This helps children to adjust without emotion on an individual level or with adults. Move to a remote, sometimes empty, sensory room for one-on-one meetings.
“For example, we have a kid who’s been using this area for days in a row since we used it,” she explained. I usually put on noise-cancelling headphones and sit here and read a book or put myself back in the environment.”
A regulation station in the center of the building has stickers on the floor and walls suggesting how to move, fidget activities, coloring books, noise-cancelling headphones and a few other simple yet effective solutions. Yes, it helps children regulate their emotions and act accordingly. Promote a more positive daily atmosphere at your club whenever you need it. This space requires adult supervision, but unlike sensory rooms, adult intervention is usually not required.
Individually, children who demand it or need regulation are sent to spaces that help them learn to regulate using tools.
“Part of our mission statement is for club members to be productive, caring and responsible citizens. I think it’s a really good way to do that in Elkhart County,” said Launa Leftwich, Chief Operating Officer, Boys & Girls Clubs of Elkhart County.
Programs like Passport and Keystone Club help children become active members of their communities and make a meaningful difference in their clubs, communities and even homes.
“This is just one of the strategic ways we intentionally support children and help them succeed overall: art programs, leadership programs, sensory rooms, conditioning stations. And so on, little ways to help your child grow up to be a successful and productive citizen,” Leftwich added.
The Regulatory Agency is already a big hit.
“We have kids who ask us to use it every day,” Lantz said. There’s art and a lot of things going on and it’s good because it also helps them focus on something and not get in trouble otherwise and put their energy into a positive program But it can be difficult for children.”
Dani Messick is an education and entertainment reporter for The Goshen News. Her contact is her dani.messick@goshennews.com or 574-538-2065.
