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I enjoy sharing Hot Wings tips to teachers, parents, friends, and family. First, I think Hot Wings is a great way for outsiders to get a clear picture of how WINGS teaches SEL skills to children. Also, Hot Wings tips are great for parents and teachers to bring WINGS at home and in the classroom. With parents and teachers using Hot Wings, it reinforces SEL skills in children. I share the WINGS newsletter with friends and family, and a friend once told me that she was going to use the steps to wrestle out worries and fears!

My favorite on the list of HOT WINGS deals with teaching kids to THINK, FEEL, AND RESPOND! This is great for avoiding EMOTIONAL HIJACKINGS! Just so everyone knows, an emotional hijacking is when you let your emotions take over and control your actions. Especially adults can think of a time when they did something that was emotionally charged but was a bad move to make. That is why i think it is so great that kids are learning to calm down by STANDING BACK, TALKING IT OVER, READ, EXERCISE, SLOW DOWN, or SING! I definitely like to sing to help me calm down!

I can't tell you how many people have told me how much the Hot Wings tips have helped them with their daily parenting. As the mother of a 4 year old daugther, I find the tips extremely helpful. People might think 4 is too young to begin teaching these skills. However, there were even things I was doing when she was an infant to help promote the skills. It is never too early. I hope she soars later in life because of her exposure to Wings.

As the program director of a WINGS program, I use these techniques daily, but you'd be surprised how many times I use them with adults! My favorite is validating feelings while dialoguing. In heated discussions, emotions can fly. Doing something as simple as validating the other person's emotions (letting them know they have a right to feel how ever they want and you understand that) is a very easy way to show them that you are listening and empathetic. I use it all the time with not only the kids in the program, but my employees as well. It keeps the lines of communication open and allows them to see me as someone they can trust. Try it, you'll see! Nicole Lovecchio Program Director WINGS @ Chicora Elementary

The tips in Hot WINGS are an excellent reference for parents - but they can also be used with co-workers, peers, friends and family. I particularly like this one: Help a child wrestle worries and fears Ask and listen Write out worries Sort into 2 stacks – can/can’t control Knowing the situations that you can and cannot control really force you to make an active decision about how you want to feel and react - because those a things we can control. Worries can consume kids and adults alike - using these steps really helps put a lid on some of the frightening thoughts. I'm glad to know WINGS is teaching kids early on how to cope with worries and fears - too many adults are still trying to figure it out!