The Effects Of The Turtle Technique On Self-esteem

The turtle technique is known to help improve self-control. But, in addition, it has great benefits for children’s self-esteem.

Getting children to acquire the ability to have self-control is not simple, especially if they have ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) or behavioral problems. In these cases, it is recommended to use techniques developed for this purpose, such as the turtle technique. In addition to serving to improve internal control, it provides multiple benefits for children. So, in this article, we’re going to talk about the effects of the turtle technique on self-esteem.

But first, it should be clear that self-control is the ability to regulate the intensity, frequency, and duration of one’s behaviors, emotions, and feelings. This includes controlling and managing impulses, stress, frustration, anger, aggression, fear, etc.

What is the turtle technique?

The turtle technique is based on the fact that this animal, when it feels threatened, hides and retreats inside its shell. Likewise, a child can do the same thing to control his own impulses, behaviors and emotions in a given situation.

Thus, to correctly use this child self-control technique, we must follow the following steps, teaching our child to:

1. Respond to the word “turtle”: when he hears this keyword, he must shrink back, putting his head in his arms.
2. Relaxing the muscles while putting yourself in the turtle position: with muscle relaxation, you avoid the appearance of disruptive and aggressive behavior.
3. Employ problem solving techniques (crafts, discussion groups, role-playing , corrective reinforcement, social reinforcement, mediation, etc.), valuing the various alternatives that exist when controlling the situation that leads you to decide to make the turtle.

It is important to teach these three steps gradually. In other words, before mastering one of the levels, you cannot move on to the next. This allows the child to gradually become familiarized with the technique, thus correctly assimilating each of the procedures and instructions.

Benefits of using the turtle technique

As we have seen, the turtle technique is used with the main objective of making the child learn to have self-control. In addition, this technique is beneficial for:

• Model the expression and recognition of feelings.
• Increase social skills.
• Understand different views and opinions.
• Improve the decision-making process.
• Know how to resolve conflicts easily.

• Increase self-esteem.

But could you say why this technique improves children’s self-esteem? Below, we explain it to you.

The effects of the turtle technique on self-esteem

Mastering the turtle technique has very positive effects on a child’s self-esteem or self-esteem. This because:

• She learns to have self-control without the need for external people to intervene (mother, father, teachers, etc.). Thus, the child feels fulfilled and trusts in their own abilities.
• The fact that she does not perform inappropriate behaviors causes her to receive positive reinforcement from parents, teachers, etc. Thanks to this, she feels satisfied with her actions and decisions when she realizes that they are rewarded by her reference figures.

• She perceives herself as an older child, who knows how to use different problem-solving techniques, instead of manifesting impulsive and unreasonable behaviors.