How to Use the We Care Center in the Clinic

 
The We Care Center provides a symbolic way of expressing empathy, encouragement and compassion for others. Empathy is powerful in regard to discipline because it helps empower children to “own” their feelings rather than blame or attack others. Some schools transform their Clinic into a We Care Center where children can receive both the medical attention and empathy that is required for healing.

In addition to the customary Clinic supplies, equip your Clinic’s We Care Center with symbolic forms of caring that are helpful for all ages. A young child might find a bear helpful, an older child might enjoy looking at postcards of faraway places and all children might enjoy soothing music on an MP3 player. Include a variety of such tools in a We Care Bag that the staff can offer to children or the children can offer to each other as a symbolic way of saying, “It’s hard when you don’t feel well. You’re safe. You can handle it. Breathe deeply. I’m here to help.”

You can find important information and delightful ideas for activities that support your We Care Center in Chapter 15 of Creating the School Family. Chapter 6 of the NEW Conscious Discipline Expanded & Updated book shows the importance of empathy to developing emotional intelligence and wiring the brain for self-control. Music that supports the We Care Center includes “Who” on Kindness Counts, and “That Was Helpful” and “Caring Friends” on It Starts in the Heart.