Tortuga technique Story to work self -control

The turtle technique (or turtle story) is usually used in children with difficulties to control their impulses and emotions in front of certain stimuli, but ¿What is the turtle technique so -called? To answer this frequent question, do not hesitate to continue reading this Psychology-online article: Turtle technique: the story to work self -control.

1. Self -control techniques
2. Child psychology techniques
3. Turtle
4. Turtle technique

Self -control techniques

When we talk about self -control, we refer to that ability to dominate oneself. In other words, it is about ability to control their own impulses, emotions, desires, actions, among others.

Moreover, self -control is a capacity that allows you to achieve a Series of benefits, such as:

• A better expression
• Take into account the views and opinions of others
• Think more clearly
• Improve social relationships
• Improves self -esteem
• Causes a feeling of less vulnerability
• Greater ease to resolve conflicts
• Making better decisions

So that, The self -control It is a capacity that can be acquired over the years. Specifically, the most effective procedures commonly used to acquire self -control are: on the one hand, the self -instruction procedures and, on the other hand, the self -demand procedures, or a combination of both.

• As to The self -instruction, We refer to that procedure in which the individual gives instructions or orders to himself, in order to regulate his own impulsive behavior.
• Another, as to the self -reforting, We refer to that procedure in which the individual offers himself, after performing certain behavior, a series of positive reinforcements or consequences.

Child psychology techniques

To acquire Self -control behaviors in children, It is usual to use metaphor -based techniques and Children's Stories adapted to the age of the individual, as is the case of the technique of the turtle, of the technique of the volcano, of the technique of the arturo bear, among others. Thus, metaphors and stories are a great tool to encourage the possibility of change, both at a behavioral and cognitive level.

Turtle

The turtle technique begins with the turtle story:

A long time ago, there was a beautiful and young turtle named Clota. Clota had just started classes, I was just x years (X is equal to the child's age to whom the story is read). Clota didn't like going to school too much, However, she preferred to stay at home to be with her little brother and her mother. I didn't want to go to school to learn new things, he just liked going to run, play, etc.

It seemed very complicated and very tired to solve chips, copy what the teacher wrote on the board and/or participate in the activities with her other colleagues. Nor did he like listening and attending what the teacher explained, For her it seemed more fun to make noises imitating the sound of car engines, and never remembered that they should not do those noises while the teacher spoke. Clota used to spend jokes to her teammates and mess with them. Therefore, going to school was a rather hard situation for clota.

Every day, when Clota was on her way to school, she told herself that she would behave in the best possible way not to mess with her classmates. But even if all this was promised to herself, it was very easy for something to lack out and, in the end, It always ended up punished, getting angry and fighting. Thus, Clota had a very bad time, many times I thought "I always walk in trouble, if I follow this path, in the end I will end up hating school and all the classmates and teachers".

In one of his worst days, in which he felt bad, He ran into an old and wise turtle, The greatest he had seen in his entire life. It was a very large turtle in every way, I was over 300 years old and a large size like a mountain. Clota was somewhat scared, she was heading to the old turtle with a small and shameful voice. But after a short time, Clota realized that the gigantic turtle was very pleasant and nice and, it seemed to be willing to help Clota on its bad day.

Then the old turtle told Clota: “¡Hey! ¿Did you know? I will tell you a small secret that will help you: The solution to solve your problems is carried with you, on top of you ". Clota did not understand him, and looked at him expressing that he didn't understand anything with his gaze of curiosity. "¡Your shell is the solution! ¿You don't know what your shell is for?". Clota kept looking at him with the face of knowing more. "The power of your shell is that you can get into him and hide whenever you have feelings such as anger, anger, etc. Thus, for example, you can always hide that you want to break things, to scream, to hit something or someone, among others. When you hide inside your shell, you can take advantage of that moment to rest, and Wait for not being so angry. That is why I recommend that the next time you get angry, get into the shell ”.

Clota seemed very good idea. I was very happy and wanting to try it, so, Try to control your anger at school. The next day of class already practiced, when from Sopeton, one of his companions hit him, unintentionally, on his back. At that moment, Clota began to get angry, so much that it almost loses the papers and returns the blow. But suddenly, the wise advice of the old turtle recalled. Then he picked up, as fast as he could, his arms, his legs and his head inside his shell and stayed there until he passed the anger.

Clota realized that it was a very good idea, since He loved being so good inside his shell, Where no one could bother her. When he left inside, he was amazed to see that his teacher was looking at him with a big smile on his face, happy and proud of what had done clota.

Therefore, he decided to continue using that trick during what was left of the year. I used it every time some partner or something bothered him, but he also used it when she wanted to hit or argue. After a while, he always managed to act in this way, a very different way from the one he acted before. She felt very happy and proud of herself And, all his companions admired him as he did and, they were very curious to know what his secret was.

Turtle technique

The turtle technique is one of the impulse control techniques To educate children and change misconduct.

The turtle technique was designed and created by Marlene Schneider, in order to promote self -control behaviors to alleviate children's impulsive behaviors.

In order to capture the attention of children regarding the turtle technique, it is recommended to tell them a story (such as the one you will find in the previous section), In children's story format adapted based on each child's age.

The idea is that, through the turtle story, Children feel identified with the turtle small and young, so that they can extrapolate the resolutive behavior of the turtle to their daily situations in the classroom and, to control their own actions, emotions and disruptive feelings. That is why it is important to highlight them, at the end of the reading of the story, that when they feel angry or annoying, wanting to shout, hit, etc., they can do the same as towards the little turtle.

Thus, it is a Emotional Self -Control Technique metaphorical, in which the turtle is the character that represents the situation in which the children are. Specifically, the turtle or turtle story is composed of four phases:

• Phase 1: The child must Recognize your emotions and stop to think (getting into his shell), and breathing quietly to be able to think about possible solutions. To be able to simulate the shell, the child can also collect his legs surrounding them with his arms, so that he is more collected and protected by himself.
• Phase 2: Maintain the posture tensely for about ten seconds.
• Phase 3: In this phase, the child must go loosening the tension of your body, and relaxing until the body has completely relaxed.
• Phase 4: In the final phase it is in which the child must be congratulated for his effort and for his result. It is a good way to ensure a greater possibility of increasing the appearance of this self -control behavior. It is also important, in this phase, that the child explains what has made him feel angry and how he has felt resorting to the turtle technique.

In the following article you will find other strategies to control the anger in children.

This article is merely informative, in psychology-online we have no power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.

If you want to read more articles similar to Turtle technique: Story to work self -control, We recommend that you enter our category of emotional and behavioral disorders.