The SIFT technique was developed by Daniel Siegel in his book with Tina Payne Bryson, The Whole Brain Child, to help kids and their caregivers help kids sift through their somatic sensations and learn how to connect them with their emotions. It is a four-step process that encourages individuals to mindfully explore and process their emotions. In the context of The Whole-Brain Child the caregiver would walk the child through each step sequentially to help them develop a mindful awareness of their emotions, gaining insight into the underlying sensations, images, feelings, and thoughts that contribute to their emotional state. 

These are the four steps of the SIFT technique:

1. Sensations: The first step involves focusing on the physical sensations associated with the emotion the client/child is experiencing. Pay attention to how the emotion feels in the body. For example, they might notice tightness in their chest, a racing heartbeat, or tension in their shoulders.

2. Images: In this step, the client/child explores any images or mental pictures that arise in relation to the emotion. These images could be memories, fantasies, or symbolic representations. It's important to simply observe the images without judgment or analysis.

3. Feelings: The third step involves identifying and acknowledging the emotions the client/child is experiencing. They name the specific feelings that arise, such as sadness, anger, fear, or joy. They then validate and accept these emotions without judgment.

4. Thoughts: The final step of the SIFT technique focuses on the thoughts and beliefs associated with the emotion. The client/child notices any thoughts or self-talk that arises in response to the emotion. This step allows them to gain insight into the underlying narratives or interpretations that contribute to their emotional experience.

The SIFT technique is a valuable approach that integrates cognition, affect, somatics, and narrative, fostering the development of emotional intelligence. Its sequence holds particular relevance for clients who have experienced trauma, as they might struggle to articulate their traumatic experiences or fully grasp the sensations and emotions linked to their trauma. By beginning with the exploration of sensations, the technique adopts a bottom-up approach that is well-suited for traumatized individuals and children developing emotional intelligence. The process of recognizing and progressing from physical sensations to the identification of accompanying thoughts and self-talk is beneficial for clients across a wide range of experiences and circumstances.