One morning I was sitting with a three-year-old going through the steps of The Happenings Mat. One of the steps was reflecting her feeling and need back to her: “So you felt sad and needed safety?” Her eyes were wide in amazement and she asked, “How did you know?”

I felt surprised; I had just listened to her answers to the questions and reflected them back to her. She seemed amazed that I had listened. The way she knew I had listened was because I acknowledged her words. Often, that is a step we skip. Yet that acknowledgement can be crucial to meet the need to be heard and, ultimately, to meet the needs for understanding and connection.

Life with young children is busy…in the classroom and at home. It can be challenging to take the time not only to listen to what a child is saying, much less acknowledge it.

That’s what I appreciate about The Happenings Mat. It’s a visual reminder—when the mat handy and accessible, it makes it easier for everyone to take the time to connect on the level of feelings and needs.

Looking for practice with feelings and needs and The Happenings Mat? Set up a Happenings Mat training for your school or parent group by contacting me at thehappeningsmat@gmail.com.