At Shifting Perspective we use a new approach to solutions, based on NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming). The focus is on what drives behaviour – our needs and our emotions, as opposed to managing and influencing behaviour.

The techniques taught benefit teachers and parents and result in freedom from stress, and a reduction in the amount of energy it takes to continually manage situations.

If we as teachers and parents can understand how our brains filter information, and how children’s brains’ filtering systems develop, we will realise what an important part we play in the development of their filtering systems.

As a young child before the brain’s filtering system has developed, we take in data – what we are told and the results from experiences we have had, we interpret them, make decisions and accept these decisions to be true. We then formulate belief systems and base our perceptions and behaviour on these belief systems, even though they may not necessarily serve us. Our emotions play a huge role in the development of these belief systems, and together with our needs, determines the patterns of ALL our behaviour.

What were you told as a young child by your parents or teachers? How has this played out in your life? What pattern of behaviour have you developed?

It is also important to ask ourselves and our children each day: What do we want? Why do we want it? What action steps can we take today? These questions give us a point of focus. By answering these questions we are able to establish our goals, which help direct us toward a life we want. When we know what our goals are, daily choices are easier to make. Goals give us a frame of reference to base our choices on. Do you make choices each day based on what you want or based on the day’s events?

Good communication is also essential for the development of healthy belief systems. Our specific words, how we feel and our actions influence the meanings they choose and this directly affects the patterns our children develop. Knowing what words to use and how to develop rapport with our children improves our communication and ultimately the connection we have with them.

Conclusion

If we as parents and teachers can teach children the simple skill of choosing a meaning to situations that work for them, this will become their automatic pattern of behaviour and they will form healthy belief systems. The result being improved confidence which is the building block for success.

If we can teach children to make goal setting a part of their daily life in all that they do, this will become their automatic pattern. It will create an internal, well-balanced frame of reference for them, on which to base their choices on, which will lead to good choices and success as adults.

If we can create awareness in children of the specific words and language they use and how this affects their patterns, it will enable them to create limitless automatic patterns with loads of possibilities and ultimately the life they want.