There are several ways of classifying emotions, and one that is often found helpful contains four emotional pairs: joy-sadness, anger-fear, trust-distrust, surprise-anticipation.
Psychologists have long argued about the best way to list all emotions, but whatever approach is used anger most certainly is one of the fundamental human impulses.
And because anger is so basic to the human psyche it is hard to control simply by saying “don’t get so angry.”
The tendency to get angry is innate, automatic, and, when triggered, very fast and we have it, because in earlier times getting angry automatically could enhance one’s chances of survival.
But, obviously, the classroom is not a life or death struggle, and thus anger in the classroom is not helpful. However helping students control angry reactions not just to everyday experiences but to accumulated problems across time can be difficult.
For anger expressed in the classroom can leave the teacher in an invidious position, wanting to offer emotional support to a student in difficulty, while at the same time having a duty towards everyone in the class.
And yet it is possible for students with anger issues to be fully integrated back into mainstream schooling.
This approach involves not just managing a student’s behaviour but also seeking out and dealing with the issues that are causing this behaviour as well as helping the student find the best emotional coping strategies to resolve the problem.
And this is what NLP4Kids offers: helping students communicate their thoughts and feelings with others, helping them make meaningful relationships, and ultimately helping them improve their employment opportunities all through bringing their anger under control.
If you feel that you have some students in your school who are not reaching their full potential because of anger and related issues, you may find our website helpful.
We have already worked with numerous schools across the country and now have additional time and funding available to come to your school and work with the students you nominate. There are more details of our work at http://nlp4kids.org.uk/schools-co-uk/
If you would like to discuss the options without any obligation please do call 0345 3192 666 or 0203 6677 294 or email gemma@NLP4Kids.org
Gemma Bailey
Director of NLP4Kids