The 5 Protective Factors are areas of family functioning that help support youth and families to be strong. Research shows that when these factors are present in populations of families, it reduces the risk of abuse, maltreatment, and negative outcomes.
Each Protective Factor has its own super power! In this blog series we will introduce them all, and explain how they can support your family to thrive.
Pixie Stardust represents Social and Emotional Competence of Children as Pixie Stardust is here to help your child learn to express thoughts, manage feelings and keep friendships. This involves building positive social skills to teach children how to self regulate through emotions and behaviors. Teaching children to talk about their feelings is powerful.
Teaching children through Social and Emotional Competence can help children:
This can all be achieved with the right support and guidance, when parents and caregivers promote a strong connection and allow for children to feel safe to express their emotions. It allows children to cultivate healthy friendships, communicate and care. They will grow into emotionally intelligent rockstars!
Pixie Stardust helps kids understand that sharing a feeling is just as strong as rocking out on stage.
☀️Start with ‘How are you feeling today?’ and listen without fixing — connection begins with being heard.
🎙️When you say, ‘I feel sad,’ you open the door to support.
🎸 “When you say, ‘I feel proud,’ you celebrate your power.
🌟 Talking things out makes space for magic to happen.
When parents are supported in building connections with children, it creates an even bigger community of support, allowing you and your children to thrive! This is where you can join Safe and Sound to engage in family activities that allows you and your children to connect! Finding support can be the bridge to the other protective factors and ultimately to finding the right balance for yourself and your family.
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If you want to know more about how to incorporate each power feel free to call Safe & Sound’s TALK Line or come into Parent Drop In to chat and bring your kiddos to the playroom!
TALK Line: (415) 441-5437
Parenting is hard and you don’t have to do it alone
Parent Drop In:
Monday – Thursday at 1757 Waller Street
Read more about it here
Read about the other superpower characters in this blog on the 5 Protective Factors
Check out our For Parents section of the website for more resources.