5 questions and answers about mentalizing

In a stretch of four lessons, Youz trains classes and schools on “mentalizing. This preventive program works with children to increase their understanding of their own and others’ emotions, and to increase their resilience. Here are five questions and answers about the program.

1. What is mentalizing?
   The essence of mentalizing is that you become aware of the behavior, feelings and desires of yourself and the other person and discover how it affects your relationship with the other person. This helps to understand each other, learn from each other and work together. So reads one of the definitions of the psychological term mentalizing. At Youz, the institution that provides specialized care for parents and families, they believe that learning to mentalize ensures that a lot of problems can be prevented – even in children. In a series of four lessons, Youz trains grade 5, 6 and 7 classes in this area. 
2. When do lessons have the most impact?
   These lessons are most effective when there is a safe climate in the classroom. It is a preventive program, so classes are less appropriate if there are already hefty problems, such as bullying behavior. It’s really about collective training for all children, including those that are doing well. There is also the (additional) possibility of a workshop with the entire teaching team, so that the principles of mentalizing are carried throughout the school.
3. Can the workshop for teams also be customized?
   Yes, you can. If desired, Youz will put together a program for 1, 2 or 3 hours. Youz can also train a smaller group and encourage that group to transfer the knowledge and skills to colleagues. The complete lesson series is available in hard copy and online for participating schools.
4. How are the lessons structured?
   They are four classes lasting three quarters of an hour to an hour. In the beginning, the class talks about emotions. Then students and teacher start asking curious questions to each other. The trainer explains how the brain works, that you can act very angry, but sometimes that anger is caused by a completely different emotion – sadness, for example. Students also learn about the “owl brain” that thinks rationally, about the “dolphin brain” that can feel well and about the “crocodile brain” that responds from instinct. Students discover how to avoid getting into that crocodile brain, for example, by doing a relaxation exercise.
5. To what extent do we know whether mentalizing actually has a preventive effect – and thus can prevent problems later on?
   A study of a similar program was conducted in Denmark. In fact, many schools in Denmark work according to this methodology. This showed that students were more resilient, classroom atmosphere had improved and teachers were less likely to drop out.

Would you like to participate in “Mentalizing in the Classroom”? For schools in the municipality of The Hague, participation is free anyway. You can apply by contacting Eefje Kelder of Youz:

e.kelder@youz.nl



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