Find the words together.
A young person may need time to distinguish frustration, disappointment, worry or excitement. Invite their description rather than supplying a feeling for them.
Listen before deciding.
Explore what happened and what mattered to them. Understanding a feeling can sit alongside clear expectations about behaviour.
Consider the next response.
Reflect on what could help in a similar situation. A mentoring conversation can create space to rehearse a constructive way to communicate or ask for support.
From the ECNM journal
This reading edition adapts our published work. Explore the original article below.